Military history of Korea
Encyclopedia
Korea
's military history spans back thousands of years, beginning with the early struggles of the ancient Kingdom of Gojoseon
. Its long history consists of the many successful repulsions of major invasions and defensive against foreign invasions. Sterling examples of Korean military prowess are the major campaigns during the time of Gojoseon, Three Kingdoms
(namely Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla), as well as those of the subsequent Kingdoms of Unified Silla, Balhae, Goryeo, Joseon, and more recently, military developments in both North and South Korea. Throughout her history, Korea has boasted many exceptional generals and military commanders who undertook victorious military campaigns against numerically superior enemies. Chief among them are Gwanggaeto the Great and Eulji Mundeok
and Yeon Gaesomun
of Goguryeo, Kim Yu-Shin of Silla, Dae JoYoung of Balhae
, Jang Bo Go
of Unified Silla, Gang Gam-chan
and Yoon Gwan
during the Goryeo period, and Yi Sun-Sin
during the late Joseon dynasty.
Today, both North and South Korea field some of the largest and most lethal armies in the world. On one hand, North Korea is widely suspected of having nuclear weapons, as well as other weapons of mass destruction. South Korea, for its part, is equipped with a sophisticated conventional military with state-of-the-art weapons. In addition, South Korean troops actively participated in the Vietnam War
and are currently serving in various UN peacekeeping missions around the world. The South Korean military enjoys military alliances with other countries, particularly the United States.
Gojoseon
Baekje
Silla
Gaya
Goguryeo
Campaigns of Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo
Goguryeo-Sui Wars
Unified Silla
1910-1945 :Colonial Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
's military history spans back thousands of years, beginning with the early struggles of the ancient Kingdom of Gojoseon
Gojoseon
Gojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom. Go , meaning "ancient," distinguishes it from the later Joseon Dynasty; Joseon, as it is called in contemporaneous writings, is also romanized as Chosŏn....
. Its long history consists of the many successful repulsions of major invasions and defensive against foreign invasions. Sterling examples of Korean military prowess are the major campaigns during the time of Gojoseon, Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
(namely Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla), as well as those of the subsequent Kingdoms of Unified Silla, Balhae, Goryeo, Joseon, and more recently, military developments in both North and South Korea. Throughout her history, Korea has boasted many exceptional generals and military commanders who undertook victorious military campaigns against numerically superior enemies. Chief among them are Gwanggaeto the Great and Eulji Mundeok
Eulji Mundeok
Eulji Mundeok was a noted military leader of early 7th century Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Often numbered among the greatest heroes in Korean military history, he defended Goguryeo against the Sui Chinese...
and Yeon Gaesomun
Yeon Gaesomun
Yeon Gaesomun was a powerful and controversial military dictator and Generalissimo in the waning days of Goguryeo, which was one of the Three Kingdoms of ancient Korea. Yeon is also remembered for a number of successful resistance in military conflicts with Tang Dynasty under Emperor Li Shimin and...
of Goguryeo, Kim Yu-Shin of Silla, Dae JoYoung of Balhae
Go of Balhae
Dae Jo-yeong , also known in Korea as King Go , established the state of Balhae, reigning from 699 to 719...
, Jang Bo Go
Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo , also known as Gungbok, rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively controlled the West Sea and Korean coast between southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula...
of Unified Silla, Gang Gam-chan
Gang Gam-chan
Gang Gam-chan was a medieval Korean government official and military commander during the early days of Goryeo Dynasty . Even though he was a career scholar and government official, he is best known for his military victories during the Third Goryeo-Khitan War.-Goryeo-Khitan Wars:In 993, the Liao...
and Yoon Gwan
Yoon Gwan
Yun Gwan was a general of Goryeo who was known for training a seventeen-thousand man army and leading it to victory against the Jurchens tribes.- Background :Yun Gwan is from the Papyeong Yun clan...
during the Goryeo period, and Yi Sun-Sin
Yi Sun-sin
Yi Sun-shin was a Korean naval commander, famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon Dynasty, and is well-respected for his exemplary conduct on and off the battlefield not only by Koreans, but by Japanese Admirals as well...
during the late Joseon dynasty.
Today, both North and South Korea field some of the largest and most lethal armies in the world. On one hand, North Korea is widely suspected of having nuclear weapons, as well as other weapons of mass destruction. South Korea, for its part, is equipped with a sophisticated conventional military with state-of-the-art weapons. In addition, South Korean troops actively participated in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and are currently serving in various UN peacekeeping missions around the world. The South Korean military enjoys military alliances with other countries, particularly the United States.
GojoseonGojoseonGojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom. Go , meaning "ancient," distinguishes it from the later Joseon Dynasty; Joseon, as it is called in contemporaneous writings, is also romanized as Chosŏn....
- counteroffensives of YanYan (state)Yān was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history. Its capital was Ji...
Invasion and counter-offensive of 4th Century BC - Gojoseon-Han WarGojoseon-Han WarThe Gojoseon–Han War was a campaign launched by the Han Dynasty of China against Wiman Joseon, the last remaining part of Gojoseon after many kingdoms in the Korean peninsula became independent countries, between 109 BC and 108 BC...
- 108 BC
Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea
GoguryeoGoguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
- Continuous wars with the Four Commanderies of HanFour Commanderies of HanThe Four Commanderies of Han are Lelang, Lintun, Xuantu and Zhenfan commanderies in northern Korean Peninsula and part of the Liaodong Peninsula. set up by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in early 2nd century BC after his conquest of Wiman Joseon...
- Battle of Jwa-wonBattle of Jwa-wonThe Battle of Jwa-won was a tremendous Goguryeo victory under the command of Myeongnim Dap-bu during the 26th year of the reign of King Sindae, the 8th ruler of Goguryeo.- The Coup de'tat of 165 :...
- Battle of Jwa-won
- Gongsun DuGongsun DuGongsun Du was a military general and warlord of the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He did not get the opportunity to really get into battle until Dong Zhuo seized power from Emperor Shao. Dong Zhuo, hoping to expand the empire, gave Gongsun Du the command to attack present-day Korea...
's Campaign against Goguryeo-190 - Goguryeo-Wei Wars-244
- Lelang Conquest-313
- XianbeiXianbeiThe Xianbei were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The title “Khan” was first used among the Xianbei.-Origins:...
Conquest - KhitanKhitanThe history of the Khitans dates back to the 4th century AD. The Khitan people dominated much of Mongolia and modern Manchuria by the 10th century, under the Liao Dynasty, and eventually collapsed by 1125 ....
Conquest - Malgal Conquest
Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
- Malgal Conquest
- JinhanJinhan confederacyJinhan was a loose confederacy of chiefdoms that existed from around the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD in the southern Korean peninsula, to the east of the Nakdong River valley, Gyeongsang Province. Jinhan was one of the Samhan , along with Byeonhan and Mahan...
ConquestJinhan ConquestSaro, the most powerful statelet of the Jinhan confederacy, conquered each of the other statelets and later became Silla.- Northwards :* 102 : Eumjipbeol , 음즙벌국* 104 : Siljikgok , 실직곡국- Southwards :...
by Silla
Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
- MahanMahan confederacyMahan was a loose confederacy of statelets that existed from around the 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE in the southern Korean peninsula in the Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces. Arising out of the confluence of Gojoseon migration and the Jin state federation, Mahan was one of the Samhan , along...
Conquest by Goi of BaekjeGoi of BaekjeGoi of Baekje was the 8th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the second son of the 4th king Gaeru and younger brother of the 5th king Chogo.-Background:... - Gaya - Silla WarsGaya - Silla WarsThe Gaya-Silla Wars were a series of conflicts between the ancient Korean Kingdom of Silla and the Gaya confederacy.Silla began as one of the six ruling clans of Saro. Around 80, the leadership of Saro was seized and consolidated by Talhae of Silla. The state of Saro began forming a confederation...
Gaya
- Campaign with Silla against Baekje
GoguryeoGoguryeoGoguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
campaigns
- Campaign of Geunchogo of BaekjeGeunchogo of BaekjeGeunchogo of Baekje was the 13th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He reigned over the apex of Baekje's powers.-Background:...
: Conquest of PyongyangPyongyangPyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was... - Baekje Campaign of Gwanggaeto the Great of GoguryeoGwanggaeto the Great of GoguryeoGwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo was the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His full posthumous name roughly means "Very Greatest King, Broad Expander of Territory, buried in Gukgangsang.", sometimes abbreviated to Hotaewang or Taewang...
- Attack from Gwanggaeto the Great of GoguryeoGwanggaeto the Great of GoguryeoGwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo was the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His full posthumous name roughly means "Very Greatest King, Broad Expander of Territory, buried in Gukgangsang.", sometimes abbreviated to Hotaewang or Taewang...
- Gaya ConfederacyGaya confederacyGaya was a confederacy of territorial polities in the Nakdong River basin of southern Korea, growing out of the Byeonhan confederacy of the Samhan period.The traditional period used by historians for Gaya chronology is 42–532 CE...
Campaign - Goguryeo–Yamato War
- Gaya Confederacy
Campaigns of Gwanggaeto the Great of GoguryeoGwanggaeto the Great of GoguryeoGwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo was the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His full posthumous name roughly means "Very Greatest King, Broad Expander of Territory, buried in Gukgangsang.", sometimes abbreviated to Hotaewang or Taewang...
-
- XianbeiXianbeiThe Xianbei were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The title “Khan” was first used among the Xianbei.-Origins:...
Campaign - Malgal Conquest
- KhitanKhitan peoplethumb|250px|Khitans [[Eagle hunting|using eagles to hunt]], painted during the Chinese [[Song Dynasty]].The Khitan people , or Khitai, Kitan, or Kidan, were a nomadic Mongolic people, originally located at Mongolia and Manchuria from the 4th century...
Conquest - BuyeoBuyeo kingdomBuyeo or Puyŏ , Fuyu in Chinese, was an ancient Korean kingdom located from today's Manchuria to northern North Korea, from around the 2nd century BC to 494. Its remnants were absorbed by the neighboring and brotherhood kingdom of Goguryeo in 494...
Conquest
- Xianbei
Goguryeo, Baekje-Silla alliance War
- Campaign of Jangsu of GoguryeoJangsu of GoguryeoEmperor Jangsu of Goguryeo was the 20th monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was born in 394, the eldest son of King Gwanggaeto the Great...
against Silla and Baekje - 475 : Invasion of Baekje-SillaSillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
alliance - Campaign of Baekje-Silla-GayaGaya confederacyGaya was a confederacy of territorial polities in the Nakdong River basin of southern Korea, growing out of the Byeonhan confederacy of the Samhan period.The traditional period used by historians for Gaya chronology is 42–532 CE...
armies against Goguryeo - 554 : 1st Baekje (with Gaya ConfederacyGaya confederacyGaya was a confederacy of territorial polities in the Nakdong River basin of southern Korea, growing out of the Byeonhan confederacy of the Samhan period.The traditional period used by historians for Gaya chronology is 42–532 CE...
)-Silla War(Battle of Gwansansung)- 554 - Gaya ConfederacyGaya confederacyGaya was a confederacy of territorial polities in the Nakdong River basin of southern Korea, growing out of the Byeonhan confederacy of the Samhan period.The traditional period used by historians for Gaya chronology is 42–532 CE...
Annexation -532/562
Other conflicts
- 498 : The Baekje Conquest of Tamla
- 512 : The Silla Conquest of UsanUlleung*Ulleung County - a South Korean county*Ulleungdo - a South Korean island*Ulleung Basin - an oceanic basin located near Ulleungdo...
Goguryeo-Sui WarsGoguryeo-Sui WarsThe Goguryeo–Sui Wars were a series of campaigns launched by the Sui Dynasty of China against the Goguryeo of Korea between 598 and 614. It resulted in the defeat of Sui and contributed to the eventual downfall of the dynasty in 618.-Background:...
(598-614)
- 1st of Goguryeo-Sui WarsGoguryeo-Sui WarsThe Goguryeo–Sui Wars were a series of campaigns launched by the Sui Dynasty of China against the Goguryeo of Korea between 598 and 614. It resulted in the defeat of Sui and contributed to the eventual downfall of the dynasty in 618.-Background:...
-598 - 2nd Goguryeo-Sui War-612
- 3rd Goguryeo-Sui War-613
- 4th Goguryeo-Sui War-614
Goguryeo, Silla-Tang alliance Wars
- 3rd Baekje-Silla War-660 (Collapse of Baekje)
- 2nd Goguryeo-Tang War-661
- 2nd Silla-Tang Invasion of Goguryeo-661 and 662
- 3rd Silla-Tang Invasion of Goguryeo-667
- 4th Silla-Tang Invasion (Collapse of Goguryeo)-668
Silla-Tang War (668-676)
- Other rebellions from Baekje and Goguryeo people
- Battle of Maeso fortress
Early period (700 - 820)
- Battle of Cheonmun-ryeong - War of Foundation-698
- Tang campaign-732
- Balhae-Silla Conflict
- extension of Balhae's sphere of influence over the Malgal tribes
Unified SillaUnified SillaUnified Silla or Later Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, when it conquered Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668, unifying the southern portion of the Korean peninsula...
(820 - 935)
- Campaigns of Jang BogoJang BogoJang Bogo , also known as Gungbok, rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively controlled the West Sea and Korean coast between southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula...
- Kim HeonchangKim HeonchangKim Heonchang was the leader of an aristocratic rebellion in early ninth-century Unified Silla. He was a seventh-generation descendant of King Muyeol, and thus bore the "true bone" status in the Silla bone rank system...
Rebellion - Red Pants Rebellion
- AjagaeAjagaeAjagae was a military leader in the Sangju area during the waning years of Unified Silla. He led a local rebellion which seized Sangju. He is remembered today primarily as the father of Gyeon Hwon, the king of Hubaekje. Some Gyeon family lineages therefore claim him as their progenitor, although...
Rebellion - Gihwon Rebellion
- Yanggil Rebellion
- Later Three KingdomsLater Three KingdomsThe Later Three Kingdoms of Korea consisted of Silla, Hubaekje , and Hugoguryeo . The latter two were viewed as heirs to the earlier Three Kingdoms of Korea, which had been united by Silla, even though Hugoguryeo has little to do with Goguryeo...
-900~936 - Khitan Invasion(Collapse of Balhae)-926
Goryeo wars
- Northern Expansion of Manchuria
- Goryeo-Khitan WarsGoryeo-Khitan WarsThe Goryeo-Khitan Wars were a series of 10th- and 11th-century invasions of Korea's Goryeo Dynasty by the Khitan Liao Dynasty near the present-day border between China and North Korea. It resulted in the defeat of Liao Dynasty.-Background:...
- First Goryeo-Khitan War
- Second Goryeo-Khitan War
- Third Goryeo-Khitan WarThird Goryeo-Khitan WarThe Third Goryeo–Khitan War was an 11th-century conflict between the kingdom of Goryeo and Khitan forces near what is now the border between China and North Korea...
(see also Battle of Kwiju)
- Campaigns of Gen. Yoon GwanYoon GwanYun Gwan was a general of Goryeo who was known for training a seventeen-thousand man army and leading it to victory against the Jurchens tribes.- Background :Yun Gwan is from the Papyeong Yun clan...
against JurchensJurchensThe Jurchens were a Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century, when they adopted the name Manchu...
(see also Korean-Jurchen warsKorean-Jurchen wars- Under Goryeo period :* In 984 Goryeo began to build a fortress on the banks of the Yalu river but were hindered by the Jurchen, who caused the work to be suspended....
) - Goryeo warrior rebellion
- Mongol invasions of KoreaMongol invasions of KoreaThe Mongol invasions of Korea consisted of a series of campaigns by the Mongol Empire against Korea, then known as Goryeo, from 1231 to 1270...
- SambyeolchoSambyeolcho RebellionThe Sambyeolcho Rebellion was a Korean rebellion against the Goryeo Dynasty that happened at the last stage of the Mongol invasions of Korea.-Background:...
contend against Mongols - Mongol invasions of JapanMongol invasions of JapanThe ' of 1274 and 1281 were major military efforts undertaken by Kublai Khan to conquer the Japanese islands after the submission of Goryeo to vassaldom. Despite their ultimate failure, the invasion attempts are of macrohistorical importance, because they set a limit on Mongol expansion, and rank...
- First Mongol invasion of Japan
- Second Mongol invasion of Japan
- Counteroffensives of Red Turban RebellionRed Turban RebellionThe Red Turban Rebellion was an uprising much influenced by the White Lotus Society members that targeted the ruling Yuan Dynasty.- Causes :...
- War against Japanese piracyWokouWokou , which literally translates as "Japanese pirates" in English, were pirates of varying origins who raided the coastlines of China and Korea from the 13th century onwards...
- 1st TsushimaTsushima-Places:* Tsushima, Nagasaki, a city in Nagasaki Prefecture * Tsushima Basin, also known as Ulleung Basin, located at the juncture of the Sea of Japan and the Korea Strait* Tsushima Island, part of Nagasaki Prefecture...
invasion
- 1st Tsushima
- Liaodong Campaign-Wihwado Revolution (coup by Yi SonggyeTaejo of JoseonTaejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
)
Internal strife
- Yi Ja-gyeom Rebellion
- Myo CheongMyo CheongMyo Cheong was an influential Buddhist monk and geomancer of the royal court who lived during the Goryeo Dynasty in Korea.-Myo Cheong's Rebellion:...
Rebellion - Military Coup of 1170
- Kim Bodang Rebellion
- Jo Wichong Rebellion
- Mangi and Mangsoi Rebellion
- Kim Sami and Hyosim Rebellion
- Slave Rebellions of Goryeo
Conflicts
- 1419 : 2nd Tsushima Conquest (Oei invasionOei InvasionThe , known as the Gihae Eastern Expedition in Korea, was the 1419 military expedition from Joseon against pirate bases on Tsushima Island, which is located in the middle of the Korea Strait between the Korean Peninsula and Kyushu....
) - 1519 : Sampo Waeran (small-scale Koreo-Japanese War)
- 1592-1598 : Seven Year War (Imjin)
- Northern Expansion against Jurchens (see also Korean-Jurchen warsKorean-Jurchen wars- Under Goryeo period :* In 984 Goryeo began to build a fortress on the banks of the Yalu river but were hindered by the Jurchen, who caused the work to be suspended....
) - 1627 : Jeongmyo Horan (1st ManchuManchuThe Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
Invasion) - 1636 : Byeongja Horan (2nd Manchu Invasion)
- 1654-1658 : Russian Campaign which is part of Russian-Manchu war
- Byeongin Yangyo
- General Sherman IncidentGeneral Sherman IncidentThe General Sherman Incident was the destruction of an armed merchant marine side-wheel steamer that visited Korea in 1866. It was an important catalyst to the end of Korean isolationism in the 19th century...
- Sinmi Yangyo
- Righteous armyRighteous armyRighteous armies, sometimes called irregular armies or militias, have appeared several times in Korean history, when the national armies were in need of assistance....
Actions
1910-1945 :Colonial KoreaKorea under Japanese ruleKorea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
- Campaigns of Independence Forces
- Battle of Cheongsanri
- Battle at Luozigou
- Battle at Dadianzi
- Battle of Bongohdong
- Battle of Samdunja
- Righteous armyRighteous armyRighteous armies, sometimes called irregular armies or militias, have appeared several times in Korean history, when the national armies were in need of assistance....
- Actions of Korean Liberation ArmyKorean Liberation ArmyThe Korean Liberation Army, established on September 17, 1941 in Chongqing, China, was the armed force of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea...
After 1945
- Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
- Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
- Gulf WarGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
- War in Afghanistan
- Iraq War
See also
- History of KoreaHistory of KoreaThe Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
- Military historyMilitary historyMilitary history is a humanities discipline within the scope of general historical recording of armed conflict in the history of humanity, and its impact on the societies, their cultures, economies and changing intra and international relationships....
- Military of South KoreaMilitary of South KoreaThe Republic of Korea Armed Forces or ROK Armed Forces, is the armed forces of the Republic of Korea...
- Naval history of KoreaNaval history of KoreaThe naval history of Korea dates back thousands of years since the prehistoric times when simple fishing ships were used. Military naval history dates back to the Three Kingdoms period and Unified Silla dynasties of Korea in the 7th century...
- List of battles of Korea