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Joseon went to ruin by Japanese
Invasion of Korea in 1592 (Imjinwaeran) and in 1597
(Jeongyujaeran) provoked by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (ù¥ãíâ³ÑÎ).
A 7-year war reduced the
people to the greatest misery and stroked a fatal blow
at Joseon in all sides such as politics, economy, culture,
society, and ideology. After a hard-earned victory,
the pressing need of the government was to restore a
destructed civilization and squandered wealth. To achieve
this, the role of Bibyeonsa was reinforced and the military
structure began to be reorganized.
However, before the scars of war healed up, Lee Gwal's
Revolt broke out for the distribution of rewards according
to the merits of King Injo Restoration in Joseon. In
addition, the next invasion of the Jurchen tribes in
1627 and 1636 gave rise to great confusion. These brought
a sense of futility in restoring the scars of Japanese
invasion. Hou Chin rose to power, taking advantage of
the weakened the Ming Dynasty and invaded Joseon in
1627 (Jeongmyohoran) and
1636 (Byeongjahoran).
As a result, Joseon became a tributary state of the
Ching Dynasty. It was the start of organizing new international
order in the East Asia circle. The Jurchen tribes of
the Ching Dynasty came into political power instead
of Chinese Ming Dynasty.
After King Hyojong, King Injo developed the expedition
to conquer the north to clear the disgrace of the Court
and as a key foreign policy. With reinforced expedition
to conquer the north, the improvement of weapon was
the most urgent business to build up the military strength.
So it was deemed necessary to introduce foreign advanced
technology.
In such situation, Weltevree (Park
Yeon) and his two mates shipwrecked in Joseon
in 1627 entered the war
of "Byeongjahoran",
the second invasion of the Ching Dynasty in 1636 and
only Weltevree survived. Weltevree was attached to Hullyeondogam
to involve in new Western weaponry, contributing to
the development of weapon.
Similarly, Hamel and his mates shipwrecked in Jeju-do
in 1653 were attached to Hullyeondogam at first to use
them as a part of building up the military strength |
