Repair of the Pasaseong Fortress for the Operation of the Han River Defense Stronghold during the Imjin War

This study examines the strategic reconstruction of Pasaseong Fortress during the Imjin War (1592-1598), focusing on its critical role within Joseon’s evolving military system. The reconstruction of the fortress, under the leadership of the Buddhist monk-soldier Ŭiŏm and his affiliated monk troops (ŭisŭnggun), was not limited to repairing existing structures. Rather, it involved a deliberate reengineering of the fortress to accommodate modern artillery strategies. This included the construction of multiple artillery towers (poru), the use of tiled roofing for enhanced protection, and reorientation of defensive lines to allow for interlocking fields of fire. More importantly, Pasaseong's reconstruction marked a shift toward localized self-reliant defense. Fortresses like Pasaseong became not only physical strongholds but also centers for training and experimentation in new weapon systems and tactics. The fortress served as a testing ground for integrating artillery into mountainous terrain—a concept that would later shape Joseon’s approach to national defense in the 17th century. Through a close reading of primary sources, including the Veritable Records of King Seonjo (Seonjo Sillok) and Buddhist historical accounts, this paper elucidates how Pasaseong functioned as a linchpin in the broader defensive grid of the Han River region. It reveals how the adaptive use of religious manpower, innovative fortress architecture, and gunpowder weaponry coalesced to form a new paradigm of warfare in the late Joseon dynasty. The case of Pasaseong offers a compelling example of military resilience and technological adaptation in the face of systemic threat, and invites further exploration into the evolution of fortress warfare in East Asia.