earticle

영어

Examined in this article, is the status of the capital city in the 15th century, and the authorities' plans for safeguarding it. Also, especially examined is what kind of discussions concerning the capital defense were made at the time, in the wake of all the tensions of the 15th century East Asia, which were caused by the conflicts that continued between the Chinese Ming(明) dynasty and the Mongols in the North. In the early days of the Joseon dynasty, the government's efforts to defend the country were concentrated upon the Northern borders, where potential enemies could try to take advantage of. It was the government's intention to deflect the enemy forces outside the borderline. As a result, in the 15th century there were no reinforcements made to the defense facilities in and out of the capital, or special plans regarding the protection of the capital city. Instead, the facilities in the north received more overhauls. But the needs to reinforce the protection of the capital continued to surface later on, whenever international crises occurred. Suggestions of active defense plans emerged as well. During the reign of Kings Taejong and Sejong, the Mongols were the most potentially dangerous threat to Joseon's security. In 1409(9th year of King Taejong's reign) the Ming troops embarked upon a campaign to attack the Mongol forces, and in 1449(31st year of King Sejong's reign) the force of Esen in Oirat raided Ming's borders in an attack what we now call as the "Attack of the Tomok-bo/土木堡." The Joseon government was more than alarmed by the news of these events, and started to discuss details of the capital city defense, even though the Mongols never actually invaded the Joseon territory. The Joseon government had to be ready and anticipate for a Mongol incursion. In short, understanding of the international situation, is crucial in obtaining a proper understanding of the nature of the discussions of the capital city defense that continued in the early days of the Joseon dynasty.