A Comparative Analysis of Communication Systems in Korean History

Preface

For the effective maintenance and development of an empire, rulers must establish a communication system between a central government and local provinces. The ｀Royal Road¨, reaching about 1000km, enabled the ancient Persian Empire to efficiently rule vast territory, and the origin of Roman Empire¨s power, too, was its systematic road system. Likewise, Korea also developed communication systems between the governmental center and the local areas to maintain the sovereignty and administrate the country successfully, especially for the conveyance of royal orders, taxation, etc. These communication systems can be classified by its purposes. We can understand Korean Communication systems more clearly by learning them classified orderly. Not only that, we can learn more about Korea¨s originality in the communication systems. The communication systems had been developed independently from other systems, reflecting the natural environment and social, cultural situation of Korea. Mainly by comparing and contrasting with many other systems in the world, this paper will focus on the uniqueness of Korean communication systems.

Military Communication System

グ. Signal Fire System

• A signal fire in Korea

A signal fire is a communication way using smokes or beacons and its purpose was to notify the circumstances of boundaries of a country to its center. Since it was impossible to use a wagon or a ship for imminent and long-distance communication, people used a signal fire mainly in order to report and acknowledge the military crisis. Since there was no standardized code for a signal fire, it tends to only convey simple messages, and was a limited form of communication (Won, Gangwon B1). The basis of the system was mainly derived from China¨s signal fire system. A signal fire is considered to have been used from the early days of 3-country period; however, it was 15th century when the signal fire was systemically organized. King Sejong intensified the signal fire system accepting the system of China. As a result, the signal fire system could be effective in the all parts of the country; about 670 of signal fires were established (Lee 231).

The system slowly disappeared in the latter period. A signal fire cannot maintain due to the lack of soldiers who are in charge of, carelessness of them, deterioration of facilities, and harsh environmental condition. Finally, it was nullified in 1894 with an advent of the modern communication systems (Lee 232).

• Native Indian¨s smoke signal

A smoke signal is a form of optical communication used over a long distance, developed by American Indians. By covering a fire with al blanket and quickly removing it, a puff or smoke can be generated. With some training, the sizes, shapes, and timing of these puffs can be controlled. Puffs may be observed from long distance, apparent to anyone within its visual range. With this advantage of the signal fire in mind, signaling stations were often created to maximize the viewable distance. Stone bowls were used by Native Americans as signaling stations (Smoke Signal).

• Chinese signal fire

A signal fire system was used as an important military communication system also in China. It was initially started in the 4th century B.C., developed, and finally established as an eloquently organized system in the 5th century. The system particularly shined with the Great Wall. Throughout the Great Wall, high places for the beacon were equipped every 110m, and guards of a castle supervised military circumstances and if any problem happens, fired the beacon. This enabled empires in China to protect themselves from the northern barbarians effectually (Park 324).

• The significance of Korean signal fire system

Actually, even though the signal fire system had some restrictions, it was one of the greatest communication methods in the past when there wasn¨t any electric communication way. In Korea, the system was extraordinarily efficient since Korea has a great deal of mountainous areas. Considering harsh environmental conditions; frequent invasions of the Japanese, and intermittent plunder of barbarians, and the political situation-centralized government in the unified country-, it is quite natural for the system to play a crucial role in military communication system. Even more, in addition to announcing an emergency, the signal fire system assured common people in the nation announcing the peaceful condition of the country. (If there wasn¨t anything special with the signal fire, people could know that they were safe.) So that people were able to concentrate on their daily works without unnecessary worries about safety. (Won, Gangwon B1)

ケ. Stage System

• A stage system In Chosun

A stage system was established in 1597 in the Chosun Dynasty, during the invasion by Japan. In order to transmit secret documents of military affairs in a fast and convenient way, the system was developed replacing the signal fire system which was becoming nominal. Two kinds of messengers; walking and horse-riding were ready to deliver the documents fast and safely using the 194 stations founded in the main cities over the country. The messengers carried small bells depending on the importance of the materials they carried, and the three-belled messengers meant that there is some kind of emergency (Kim 145).

Although the stage system is more uneconomical than signal fire system, it has huge assets in that it was more safe and able to report the problems in a more specific way. From the 17th century, together with a signal fire system, a stage system took on a crucial role in the formation of the military communication during the Chosun Dynasty (Kim and Choi 342).

• Chaski in Incan Civilization

There is an interesting record about messengers in Incan Civilization, those who are called ｀Chaski¨. Chaski System shares some common factors with the stage system in Korea, so that those two can be compared with each other (Lee, Deok-Il).

The Chasquis (also Chaskis) were agile and highly-trained runners that delivered messages, royal delicacies and other objects throughout the Inca Empire, principally in the service of the Sapa Inca. They were dispatched along thousands of miles, taking advantage of the vast Inca system of purpose-built roads and rope bridges in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador. Their routes extended throughout the whole empire (Chaski).

Each chasqui carried a pututu (a trumpet made of a conch shell or animal's horn), a khipu in which information was stored, and a qipi on his back to hold objects to be delivered. Chasquis worked using a relay system which allowed them to convey messages over very long distances within a short period of time. Tambos, or resting points, were constructed at key points along the road system, often consisting of a small shelter with food and water. Chasquis would start at one tambo and run to the next tambo where a rested chasqui was waiting to carry the message to the next tambo. Also, Chasquis were trained in attack and defense techniques to help ensure delivery of their charges (Chaski).

• The significance of a stage system

Unlike other systems which had developed throughout the history, a stage system was newly established in the middle period of the Chosun Dynasty. This fact implies that there were some significant changes in the middle of the Chosun Dynasty. This system enables us to infer about the changed circumstances in that period; the invasion of Japan in 1543, which occurred after a long time of peaceful period. We can assume that the invasion had quite a big influence on Chosun Society since the invasion eventually created the new system of military communication. The invasion eventually awakened the Chosun Dynasty, which was filled fully with the sense of security (Kim, Hangyeore A26)

Furthermore, the way that distinguishing the documents by the importance of materials is quite interesting too.

Communications for taxation

• Transport carriage by ships

To convey grains and specialty products collected as a tax from local provinces to the capital, ships were used widely with the developed waterways in a sea or a river. This transport system was initially settled in the 10th century, and similar to the signal fire system, systemically organized in the 15th century, in the early period of the Chosun Empire (Lee, 460) After a harvesting season, 9 main depots, founded at the important centers of local provinces, collected grains of the areas they were in charge of and conveyed them to the capital depots near Seoul at once. Since Jeonlado was the most fertile area in the country, the system was mainly focused on the taxation in that area. In the later period of the Chosun Dynasty, the system held by the central government became loose because many people were reluctant to participate in the system due to the difficulties and danger of the work. In the end, in the latter part of the Chosun Dynasty, the conveyance by private ships was developed instead (Lee, 461).

• Taxation routes of Roman Empire As a proverb suggests that ＾All roads leads to Rome.￣, the Roman road system was eloquently organized starting from Rome and reaching throughout the vast empire. Its purposes were various. One of the most important purposes of the system, which we will now focus on, is the conveying of the taxes. As we all know, the Roman Empire was constituted with main states and secondary states dominated by the Roman militia. Roman roads, especially the Appian Way, played a crucial role in connecting the areas by conveying tributes and taxes including grains, specialties of the region, and even slaves from the secondary states to Rome. As a reward, Rome spread its broad culture including its system, customs, religion, language, studies, and art even to the very fringe of the Mediterranean Sea (Appian Way).

• Distinctiveness of Ship Conveyance in Korea

Like the systems in the Roman Empire, mostly the taxation routes were mainly based on the land road system, which makes the ship conveyance system in Korea more special. It can be said that the system reflected Korea¨s exceptional natural environment. Since most of the territories in the country are filled with high mountains, and the development of carts was very primitive in the Chosun Dynasty, it was hard to convey the grains using the land road system. As we all know Korea is a peninsula country, which means that the three surfaces of the country¨s areas were surrounded by sea; and this environmental condition can be a huge asset when using the ship transportation. Unlike other countries near it, Chosun was able to convey all the grains collected as taxes just by using ships. Actually, the ship conveyance was even more efficient. Based on these circumstances, Korea was able to develop their unique method of passing over taxes, ＾Carriage by ships￣.

Transmitting King¨s decree

• Depot and house system in Korea

A Depot system was established to transmit official documents and provide facilities for public service travelers. Although the origin of the system is quite ambiguous, the system is assumed to be in presence even before the first millennium. The system was broadened at the extent of the whole country in the Goryeo Dynasty. Twenty two depot roads and 525 depots were constructed, and horses in each depot were used as a main method of delivering official documents. In Chosun Dynasty, with the foundation of a new empire, the system also was widely reorganized; 41 roads and 537 depots were equipped. A ｀Horse Tag¨ was newly used as a proof of the right to use horses in depots, and money was given to depots for the maintenance of utilities (Kim and Choi 311)

A House system was provided convenience to the travelers with the official purpose. For the board and lodging of travelers, houses were founded on the main depot roads. Enough money was given to each house in order to minimize the inconvenience of travelers. These houses were usually located at the same spot of depots, and that is the reason why we put the depot system and the house system together (Park 122).

• Mongolian Depot and house system

Depot and House System played a pivotal role when Chinghiz Khan was in the process of dominating the vast territory including the European continent. If the horse-riding messenger transmits the military information to the neighbor, the neighbor transmitted it to the other as a relay. This innovative system contradicted the centralized system of the most of other countries in that period. When other European armies had to move thousands of kilometers to report the circumstances and make a decision, the Mongolian army was able to win the war thanks to the effective communication system. In 1995, the Washington Post extolled the system even to be the best information network before the Internet (Kim, Economy A12).

• Korea¨s own idiosyncrasy

Depot and House system executed an important role as an artery of the country not only diplomatically but administratively to maintain centralized government. The system was a momentum of maintaining and developing the traditional society before the modern transportation appeared. Korea¨s depot and house system was individually developed interchanging with the systems of China and Japan (Kim, Economy A12).

In the Chosun Dynasty, the system was newly developed-constructing new northern ways, incorporating depots, and re-organizing the roads- even they were mainly based on the former system of Goryeo. This system had maintained without any conspicuous change until the 20th century. The system in Korea transmitted the decrees of kings, and conveyed the specialty products of local area to the central government. In addition to that, by forming depots in the important cities of provinces, it developed the local cities and catalyzed the progress of economy (Park 119).

Conclusion

So far, we¨ve focused on the various communication systems in Korean history, classified by their purposes. By learning a brief history and structure of the systems, we can see how our ancestors communicated with each other and lived their life. Surprisingly, considering the primary development stage in exchanging information in the past, the communication systems were very systematic and effective. Although there wasn¨t any car, airplane, phone, or the Internet, our ancestors were able to exchange necessary information. Furthermore, comparing Korea¨s own systems with the other country¨s communication method, we can find out Korea¨s own idiosyncrasy; reflecting Korea¨s unique natural environments including geographical settings, and both social and cultural conditions.

Although all these systems were abolished after the introduction of the modern communication systems in 1894, their significances in the history would never fade away. The originality and uniqueness of the Korean History were clearly revealed by researching communication pathways. Korea¨s system shared some general features in common with other systems, but ultimately individually developed the nation¨s own system.

We all live in modern times, so called the ｀Information Age¨. Communicating information is more important than anything else in today¨s world. Considering the importance of communication in nowadays, it was indeed intriguing for me to research about the communication systems and information exchanging in the past.

Works Cited

1) Kim, Anes, and Choi, Seon-Hye. Korean History Special for high-schoolers 2(壱嘘持戚硝焼醤拝廃厩紫什凪屡 2). Seoul: Shinwon Culture, 2002
2) Kim, Han-Jong. ＾Main communication systems in the past￣ Hangyeore 18 Jan. 2005: A26.
3) Kim, Hye-Kyung. History Dictionary next to TV(TV蒋蝕紫紫穿). Seoul: Seohaemoonjip, 2001
4) Kim, Jeong-Man. ＾House and depot system, and Ubiquitous￣ Economy Daily 10 Oct. 2006: A12.
5) Lee, Deok-Il. ＾The Bronze Age and Incan, Mayan Civilizations.￣ LeeDeokIl Love 15 Mar. 2007. 28 Apr. 2007 .
6) Lee, Geun-ho. Korean History Dictionary for Students(短社鰍聖是廃廃厩紫紫穿). Seoul: Cheongasa, 2001
7) ＾The Meaning of Signal Fire.￣ Naver Blog 17 Nov. 2004. 28 Apr. 2007 .
8) Park, Cheon-Wook. Self-study for Korean History(偽俳厩紫). Seoul: Ilbit, 2004
9) ＾Appian Way.￣ Wikipedia 25 Apr. 2007. 28 Apr. 2007 .
10) ＾Chaski.￣ Wikipedia 25 Feb. 2007. 28 Apr. 2007 .
11) ＾Smoke Signal.￣ Wikipedia 12 Apr. 2007. 28 Apr. 2007 .
12) Won, Yeong-Hwan. ＾Bongsoodae in Mt.Eodal￣ Gangwon News 12 Dec. 2006: B1.

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