Sources

Much of the uniform information was obtained from a series of books written in Korean which contained not only accurate color drawings by modern artists but also included numerous photos of statues and other contempory paintings. My sister-in-law, Woni Nelson, who is Korean, was thoughtful enough to provide these interesting books along with assistance in identifying the Generals and their nationality.

Sources in English include "The History of Korea" by Han Woo-Keun which offers a good historical overview. Also available is "A New History of Korea" by Ki-baik Lee which is especially informative and goes into detail about army organizations along with other military historyaspects. Of course most historical gamers are familiar with "WRG's Armies and Enemies of Ancient China" by John Greer which provides notes on uniforms and military history. Additional information can be found in the WRG's Army Guides for their Ancient rules and DBM system. These were written by Phil Barker. A recent book is Karl Ranitzsch's book "The Army of Tang China" (Montvert Publications) which contains references to the Korean enemy.

Background

The area of Ancient Korea (Chosen) was larger than modern Korea. The Ancient rulers based in northern Korea often controlled land beyond the Yalu even extending to or slightly beyond the Liao River to the south and the Tuman River in the north. The peninsula is mountainous and fertile land located only along the river valleys and some seacoast areas. These mountains limited most military campaigns to those same river valleys.

The Strategic significance of the Korean peninsula is obvious due to its location between Japan and mainland China/Asia. Any Japanese attempt at expansion into Asia would require control of Korea in order to secure its lines of supply and communications. Likewise, any Asiatic power would have to use Korea as a staging area for any invasion of Japan. Also, any invasion of Northern China by Tribes from Manchuria and Mongolia, or visa versa, would require the neutralization of Korea in order to secure their flank. All of these factors contributed to make control of Korea a paramount objective for strategic planning in East Asia.

Comparison

Since many reades may be more familiar with European history than Oriental histroy, I have tried to find a historic comparison which actually was not hard to do. Korea and the British Isles of the period have many similarities. Not only is the land mass and dominance of seacoasts similar but their historic progress also followed similar paths. The British Celtic cultures contained many independent tribes which were dominated by a Roman (a Civilized/ organized) power with superior weapons.

In Korea the Han people and the northern Korguyu lived as independent tribes and were soon dominated by "Civilized" Chinese armies with superior weapons. In both cases the loss of contact with the cultural centers led to the "civilized' colonies being absorbed by the local native people. In both areas a competition between native kingdoms arose with the more powerful ones being influenced or imitating their "more civilized neighbors". These would develop into a vassal relationship. The British with the Normans and the Koreans with the Chinese. Even internal developments as in the case of British military troops being more loyal to a specific minor lord than a king but be reflected in the Korean troops pledging loyalty to a man or family rather than to a king. Even the Viking raids on Britain can be compared to the Japanese "Pirate" raids along the coast of Korea.

Native Populations

Korea was composed of the original Han tribes and several competing "cousin" nations from areas north of China which is shown in their polysyllabic language as compared to monosyllabic Chinese dialects. These northern "cousins" continued to migrate into Korea trhoughout this period. Later eras would face massive incursions from several nomadic people. Another source of "new blood" would be the influx of refugees from the various internal wars fought in China.

Unlike modern refugees, these fleeing Chinese groups often consisted of military formations with their families. All of the migration chaos occurring in northern Korean plains tended to push the original Korean Han tribes south of the Han River which is located in the peninsula's central region. In fact some of the Han tribes actually left Korea and migrated to Japan. The various 'cousins' with their superior iron weapons often were invited to command the local defense forces beforce they merged with and/or dominated the local tribes.

Ancient Chosen History

As stated earlier there were many raids and migrations into northern Korea by the nomadic tribes of Manchuria and the areas north of it. The Kingdom of Ancient Chosen attempted to control the northern region between the Liao River and Taedong in Korea. They maintained good relations (mostly but not always) with the Koguryo tribes of Northeastern Korea. Many of whom were invited to serve in the Chosen army. Their main foe was the Chinese Yen kingdom and Chinese "Refugee" armies but they also fought off Hsing-nu raids from the north. Eventually the Yen armies would prevail because their iron weapons were better than the Chosen bronze weapons.

Early Tribal History

Competion among the Korean tribes was fierce for the very limited amount of fertile land. The lack of land also resulted in most tribes maintaining a semi-nomadic way of life. As a result Han and even Koguryu tribes tended to move to a new location rather than submit to a central authority. This attitude proved more successful in the south where the mountains limited invasion routes and made the tribes harder to pin down. The nature of the southern tribes ensured that they would remain small and of little threat during both the Ancient Chosen and the later Colonial era which dominated northern Korea. Eventually many of the independent Han tribes developed walled towns around which econimic and military activities remained focused.

Early Chinese Colonial Efforts

Chinese colonialism actually began as a result of defeated rival Chinese armies fleeing into northern Korea. Even though they had better iron weapons, many of these would be defeated by the Chosen regime. However around 200 BC one such force and it's leader Weiman of Yen was asked to assume responsibility of the western defense of the kingdom. By 190 BC, Weiman's popularity and strength was such that he was able to gain control of the capital and overthrow the Chosen ruler. While he maintained the title of "Chosen", he began to integrate many Chinese cultural aspects into the Kingdom. It is often referred to as "Weiman-Chosen".

This kingdom fought its neighbors in an effort to control the influx of nomadic tribes into their area. The Weiman-Chosen lasted until 108 BC when a Chinese HAN Dynasty Army defeated it. The HAN divided the region controlled by the Old Chosen rulers into four colonies or Commandaries. None of these controlled the region south of the Han River. These were Nangnang (which was located at the old capital of Taebang but moved to Pyongyang around 200 AD), Chinbon, Imdun, and Hyonto. The later three were lost within only a few years, Chinbon in 82BC,, Imdun in 82BC and Hyonto in 75BC. Nangnang remained a military power until the Chinese colonist were replaced in power by their Koguryu subjects. The commandaries were also pressured by the plains tribes of Puyo which were more aggressive than their sothern Korean neighbors. The Puyo migrated south and were integrated into the local Korean nobility which resulted in more agressive Korean nations. The colonial experience showed the Korean leaders how important good relations with the dominant Chinese power would be.

Therefore, a vassal relationship developed with the rulers of the northern Korean region paying tribute to the main dynastic power in Northern China. Much of the Korean centralization and expansion of power would coincide with a turbulent period in Chinese history. While the Koreans could defend against and defeat isolated Chinese invasions, they just did not have the manpower and resources to halt continuous waves of Chinese assaults.

More Ancient Korea

Military History Through the Three Kingdoms Era
Era of the Three Kingdoms
Chronology of Ancient Korean Military History
Summary of Ancient Korean Kingdoms
Armies of Korea: Organization until 1388
Armies of Ancient Korea: Uniforms Until 1388
DBA/DBM Variants