The Role of the Joseon Dynasty Naval Forces During the Manchu Invasion in 1636

병자호란(1636) 시기 조선 수군의 역할

Not much research has focused on the combat history of the Manchu invasion of Korea. In particular, the role of the navy has not been properly examined. However, the naval forces of the Joseon Dynasty were critical to the military strategies adopted by the leaders of Joseon and the courts of the Ming and Later Jin dynasties. Therefore, by investigating the role of Joseon's navy, we can establish a better understanding of the dynamic situation in East Asia during this period. This paper traces the specific naval strategies of Joseon and also looks at the parts played by the Ming and Later Jin dynasties, based on their historical records. The main part of this paper consists of three chapters. Chapter 1 will uncover the reputation and the actual military strategies of Joseon's naval forces during this period. Chapter 2 will discuss the military strategies devised by the Ming and Later Jin courts as a reaction to each other and to Joseon's naval power. Last, Chapter 3 will examine how the naval forces of Joseon and Qing collided at Ganghwa Island in January 1637 and afterward Qing's requisition of Joseon's navy in its fight against the Ming. In conclusion, when Joseon's naval forces were strong enough to protect Joseon, they maintained the military status quo in East Asia. However, when their strength was superseded by that of the Later Jin's naval forces in a very short time, Joseon was forced to experience the worst humiliation in its history and East Asia to undergo a violent upheaval, the replacement of Ming by the Manchu/Qing dynasty.