Abstract
The earliest records of Korean history are showing that approximately from the 5th century CE the Korean peninsula was raided by organized pirate groups. These pirate groups raided coastlines of Korea and controlled the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago and Korean peninsula.
Because of the presumed origin of pirates, the inhabitants of affected areas started to name them by pejorative term Wägu 倭寇 - a combination of two Chinese characters: Wä 倭 with the original meaning dwarf, pejoratively used to call the Japanese and character Gu 寇 meaning bandit. Although the name Wägu is directing to Japanese origin of these pirate groups, their identity varied over the centuries, and it is disputable until today.
The golden era of these raids on the Korean peninsula was the second half of the 14th century after the fall of Mongol rule over the Korean kingdom of Koryŏ (高麗; 918-1392). Wägu periodically raided coastlines, plundered cities, kidnapped people and several times led a campaign to the capital city of the kingdom.
Together with internal political struggle and rise of the Ming dynasty in China, they were the main reason for the fall of the Koryŏ. During this period, the Tsushima island became the center origin of the Wägu raids.
Newly established kingdom of Chosŏn (朝鮮; 1392-1897) had to develop successful foreign policy and security measures against Tsushima to control the situation, and by the beginning of the 17th century, these raids slowly disappeared from the Korean peninsula. This project deals with the Wägu raids on the Korean peninsula during the early Chosŏn period (14th to 17th century).
Using several case studies, this research project aims to analyze the internal security and administrative protective measures of the kingdom of Chosŏn against pirate raids. Moreover, it will try to analyze and describe the socio-economic impacts on the population of the frequently raided areas.
This study will build on analyzing several primary sources from selected period. Main primary source will be the Veritable Records of the Chosŏn Dynasty - Chosŏn Wangjo Sillok 朝鮮 王朝 實錄 and the History of Koryŏ - Koryŏsa 高麗史.
Furthermore, I will analyze administrative and legal documents such as the Grand Code for State Administration - Kyǒngguk Täjŏn 經國大 典 (1485), the Great Ming Code Directly Explained - Tämyǒngnryul Chikhä 大明律直解 (1395) and their later editions.