고려 말 해상전력 확충과 왜구 제압: 해도함대와 화통도감을 중심으로

Abstract

Since the middle of the 14th century, the biggest threat to Goryeo in various conflicts, including military conflicts and civil wars in East Asia, has been the Waegu(Wokou, Japanese pirates), which appeared on a large scale against the backdrop of military turmoil and confusion in Japan. In the late 14th century, large-scale attacks by Waegu, which spread largely to the Korean Peninsula and the coast of China, put many of Goryeo’s central and southern regions, including coastal areas and near the capital, into a long-term state of instability. In response, Goryeo introduced new technologies and organizations with the aim of suppressing Japanese pirates and stabilize coastal periphery areas. In the process, Goryeo established ‘Haedo’ as an integrated operating area with appointment of a new commander called ‘Haedo-Wonsu’ and formed a new organization called Haedo-Fleet as a new main fleet to be in charge of it. The new weapon system of gunpowder weapons and ships as its operating platform was intensively introduced in the fleet through the newly installed ‘Hwatongdogam’ organization, and members of the fleet developed and learned new tactics to operate these technical and organizational elements organically. As a result of this relatively successful process of organically mobilizing technology, organizations, and people for the purpose of stabilize coastal periphery areas, Goryeo was eventually able to secure deterrence based on maritime power along with wins in several major naval battles. And through this, it was possible to maintain the centripetal power of the country and recover the country until the turmoil in East Asia, which is the root cause of the war in the 14th century, subsided. In addition, these achievements served as a stepping stone for the coastal region of the Korean Peninsula to promote peace and stability out of the state of war even after the dynasty was replaced.