M. G. Haynes

Veteran, Author, & Fan of History

jaseongdae Fortress (자성대)

Jaseongdae was constructed by the Japanese in 1593 at the height of the Imjin War (1592-98) as a supporting fortification to the larger castle on nearby Jeungsan. That Japanese-style castle was built on the site of the existing Joseon Naval Fortress (Busanjinseong). Troops stationed here would no doubt have witnessed and perhaps even defended against Admiral Yi’s October 4th, 1592 naval raid on Busan Harbor. After the war Jaseongdae was repurposed as a Joseon Naval fortress (also dubbed “Busanjinseong”), a role it performed for another 300 years. The fortress was demolished in 1910 during the period of Japanese rule, along with many other old Korean fortifications. Since the end of Japanese occupation in 1945, the walls and facilities that made up Jaseongdae were overtaken by a fast-growing Busan City and port. In the 1970s what remained of Jaseongdae was once more named “Busanjinseong” and turned into a public park. The style evident in the two remaining gates today is representative of the Joseon Era, though the inner walls are clearly of medieval Japanese construction.

One of two surviving (reconstructed) gates at Jaseongdae. The lower walls of this fortification once rose just above the level of the surf at Busan Harbor. On May 24th, 1592, So Yoshitoshi’s troops would have likely crossed this very ground in their initial assault on the larger fortress built upon Jeungsan (the original “Busanjinseong”) to the west.

Another view of the gatehouse. Note the presence of tall, modern apartment buildings in the background. This is clear evidence of the extent to which land has been reclaimed from the sea at Busan. Waves used to wash up just below Jaseongdae’s gates.

Steps nearing the top of Jaseongdae. The staircase, reinforced in with concrete, likely during preservation and reconstruction of the ruin in 1974. The walls of Jaseongdae change rapidly from the vertical Korean style to the sloping Japanese as one moves up the low, fortified hill.

Two pics of the characteristic corner construction of the gracefully sloping style of Japanese castle wall construction. The corners of such large masonry constructions make very clear who built the existing upper levels of this fortress.