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The change of local military forces and the military organization in ‘hasamdo’ area during the late Joseon period

Yu Dong Ho 1,  Lee,Suk-Rin 1

1충북대학교

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ABSTRACT

After the Japanese Invasion of Joseon in 1592, the local military forces in Joseon became very complex in its kind as various army branches were newly added to it. The local military forces could be largely classified into ‘gamyeong-gun’, ‘byeongyeong-gun’, ‘jinyeong-gun’, ‘sanseong and others-gun’ on ‘gunyeong’ level. Under each ‘gunyeong’, various ‘byeongjong’ such as ‘sogo-gun’, ‘pyoha-gun’ and ‘ahbyeong’ were set up. Total number of local military forces were about 366,543 soldiers. Among them, ‘jinyeong-gun’ was the most on ‘gunyeong’ level with about 143,313 soldiers (39%) and ‘sogo-gun’ was the most with the weight of 38% on ‘byeongjong’ level. This number implies that ‘sogo-gun’ did not represent the whole local military force during late Joseon period and ‘sogo-gun’ was just one of the branches of the local military force. The local military force in ‘‘hasamdo’ (the three provinces of Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do in the south) was consisted of ‘gamyeong’ or ‘byeongyeong’ as its ‘jujin’ and 3 to 5 of ‘jinyeongs’ under it. Each ‘jujin’ and ‘jinyeong’ was allocated of its own ‘sokeups’(supporting towns). The difference of this organization from the military organization during early Joseon period ‘jingwan’ system was that ‘sokeups’ were allocated under each ‘jujin’ (‘byeongyeong’ or ‘jinyeong) instead of ‘jejins’ in early Joseon period. The ‘jejins’ in the ‘jingwan’ system performed independent military role; however, the ‘sokeups’ in ‘jinyeong’ system just gave economic and military support to ‘byeongyeongs’ and ‘jinyeongs’. The organization of ‘hasamdo’ local military force was based on the ‘sogo' law. The soldiers in each ‘gunyeong’ were consisted of officers and soldiers and they were again classified into ‘bogun’ and ‘magun’. For the economic support of regular military force, ‘gunbos’ were allocated. Though not every foot soldier had one ‘gunbo’, most cavalry soldier had 2 ‘gunbos’. It implies that cavalry was the major force in local military force during the late Joseon period. Though it cost a lot to operate a cavalry, the economic support principle for cavalry was kept to prepare for the cavalry tactics of Ching dynasty of China since 17th century. This implies that the defense policy of ‘hasamdo’ was shifted from ‘eo-wae’ (defense against Japanese invasion) to ‘eo-hu’ (defense against Chinese invasion). The common major branches in ‘hasamdo’ military organization were ‘pyoha-gun’ and ‘ahbyeong’. According to the case of ‘jungyeong’ in Chungcheong-do, it was possible to assume that the ‘pyoha-gun’ in ‘hasamdo’ were mostly ‘topobyeong’ for catching thieves and ‘silmubyeong’ who were assistants to officers. Meanwhile, ‘ahbyeong’ were soldiers reporting directly to the administrative governors who were not in the commanding line during the real war. Since the effectiveness of ‘ahbyeong’ was acknowledged, it was expanded to each ‘gunyeong’. ‘Ahbyeong’ also had ‘sokeups’ (supporting villages). However, ‘ahbyeong’ gradually changed to ‘supo-gun’ consisting of private slaves. It is believed that ‘pyoha-gun’ and ‘ahbyeong’ were utilized as elite forces of local military force while ‘sogo-gun’ gradually disappeared. However, ‘pyoha-gun’ and ‘ahbyeong’ also caused many negative effects as they changed to ‘supo-gun’.

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