2020, Vol., No.116

military history 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.94

pISSN : 1598-317X / eISSN : 2713-8992
https://journal.kci.go.kr/imhc

It is hard to study the reality of North Korean Army. There are some reasons for that, above all, one of the the biggest reason is not easy to find and access to North Korean Army’s documents. However, in order to study the Korean War correctly, research on the North Korean Army is also very essential. Thus far, it is true that there are few studies focusing on the North Korean Army. Most were studied piecemeal in the course of studying the operations of the Korean and U.N. forces. For this reason, I selected one unit of the North Korean Army and analyzed it in detail. The unit is the Nk 2nd Infantry Division, which I have found the most documents. The 2nd Infantry Division of the Korean People's Army was the main offensive unit during the early stage of the Korean War. The 2nd Infantry Division stationed in Hamheung befor the war broke out, and then moved to the train and developed in Hwacheon during the early stage of war. And attacked Chuncheon on June 25, 1950. However, as the battle of Chuncheon was failed and the fitst mission had been changed. The 2nd Infantry Division went through Gapyeong and crossed the Han River from Paldang. In July, it moved to Anseong and Icheon through Gwangju and Yongin, then occupied Jincheon and Chongju. Afterwards, it took over the Hwanggan through Boeun and arrived at Gimcheon. In Gimcheon in August 1950, the 2nd Infantry Division was not allocated directly into the front line, but performed the task as the reserve forces, took a rest and need reorganization. It also carried out defense operations against the Korean and the U.N. armed forces. After that it worked hard to prepare for the cross-border operation of the Nakdong River. Finally, The 2nd Infantry Division was allocated into the Nakdong River in late August.

When we studied about the questionable figure Yun Chi-ho who was social reformer in late Joseon dynasty, it is said that Yun had been more concerned about the modernization than the independence of the country. Therefore his thoughts had been considered as pro-japanese tendency from the start. Finally Yun became one of the pro-japanese collaborators in 1938, when he was 74 years old, related the 'Hung-up Club Accident'. However, Yun insisted that modernization could not promote without preventing the aggressions of imperial countries. His career background was related deeply to military field, thanks to his family, especially his father’s assignments, which were the officer of Bulgigun(kind of Government militaty forces) and minister of National Defence. As Yun stressed on the military power of the country so he emphasized the importance of the independence and modernization of the country. Chosun Dynasty had promoted the military reformations for strengthening the king's security above all. But the reformations were not successful. There were three major reasons for that as belowFirstly, the military fields had been neglected for a long time as compared with the civilian service field by the confucian principle in Joseon dynasty. Therefore there had been not good military experts due to the social trends and thoughts in Joseon. Secondly, the surrounding foreign countries such as Japan, Quing, and America initiated the military reformations. The influence of these countries on the military systems had been frequently changed, therefore the reformations of Joseon would stop at those times. As a result, troops could not get the modern power. Thirdly, soldiers were indisciplined and corrupt to make money. For those reasons, the military reformations of Joseon were failure. The international opinion about Korea was belgian neutrality in order to keep the korean independence. On the contrary, the military reformation of Japan had been successful. Japanese society had respected martialism traditionally, so it was natural for Japan to adopt western military systems flexibly from early times. Therefore Japan had strong modern troops. Japan got the victory in Sino-Japanese War and reformed Korea on the face of it. Actually, Japan invaded and plundered the Korean peninsula. Korea wanted to use Russian powers to eliminate the japanese control. Russia and Japan competed bitterly in Korea. Finally, Japan won in Russo-Japanese War. Japan should dominate over the Korea. During the two wars, Yun would make comparisons and analyses between China and Japan, Russia and Japan in the military powers and fighting efficiencies. Yun watched and appreciated the battles and war situations in crucial times. Yun concluded that Japan should dominate over Korea. He gave up the official public services and looked for other reformations with people.

When we choose the most notable figure and events in our history, the Japanese Invasion of Korea, so called Imjinwaeran and the admiral Yi Sun-sin could be shown at the top of the list. So Geographical clarifications and locating the exact points associated with the historical figure and events are generating a lot of interest, leading to and accumulating various studies. However, many of these studies lack clear and exact historical evidence or on-site inspections. Geographical criticism sometimes suggests various opinions about one place for each translator’ perspective of 『Najungilki』, researcher of the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, and researcher of local history. This study is also intended to try accurate historical evidence of the place. The purpose of the study is to study the location of ‘Baeksajeong(白沙汀) and Gunyeonggumi(軍營仇未)’recorded in Yi Sun-sin's 『Najungilki』. This is an important point related to Yi Sun-sin's activities for the reconstruction of the naval forces right after the Battle of Chilcheon-ryang during the Japanese Invasion of Korea, broken out in 1597 after Imjinwaeran in 1592. First of all, we compared and reviewed the contrasting views on the location of the Baeksajeong and Gunyeonggumi in Jangheung Land as Boseong and the views of Jangheung as Jangheung. Next, my opinion was presented through the study of ancient literature and field trips. This work is believed to help the historical sites and historical sites during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. In addition, I hope that it will help establish a proper local history. It is hoped that the results of these historical research and on-site investigation will be reflected in the local government's historical tourism resource development projects.