Korean fortresses are fortifications constructed by Koreans since the Three Kingdoms of Korea period. Koreans developed a unique and distinct fortress tradition.[1] Korea, beginning with Goguryeo,[2][3][4] has been called "a country of fortresses";[1][5][6][7] almost 2,400 mountain fortress sites have been found in Korea.[1][5]
There are numerous types of Korean fortresses, including sanseong (mountain fortress), eupseong (city fortress), pyeongjiseong, gwanseong, jangseong, chaekseong, and more.[2]
Korean fortresses were based on a stone culture and built with stones on natural mountainous terrain; therefore, they are conceptually completely different compared to Chinese fortresses, which were based on an earth culture and built with bricks and stamped earth on flat land.[5][8] Korean fortresses were invented by Goguryeo and spread to Baekje and Silla,[9] and then inherited and further developed by Goryeo and then Joseon.[5]
Almost 2,400 mountain fortress sites have been found in Korea.[1][5]
Goguryeo fortress ruins have been found in about 170 sites to date, including in China;[3] one of the most notable among them is Ansi Fortress, which successfully defended against Tang Taizong during the Goguryeo–Tang War.[10][11] Goguryeo fortress ruins have also been found in present-day Mongolia.[12][13][14]
Korean-style fortresses can be found in Japan, which were constructed and supervised by immigrants of Baekje origin.[5]
Hwaseong Fortress and Namhansanseong are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[15][16]