Goryeo and the Red Turban Connection

Timeline

1. 1336–1337Yalu River area · China–Korea borderFamine, river-work projects, and currency crises worsened in Yuan territory, and bandit and vagrant armed activity rose across regions. Some routed soldiers and fugitive households drifted toward Liaodong and the Yalu River, alerting Goryeo's frontier officials.
2. 1337–1338Hamju, Kyuju area · Korean PeninsulaThe Goryeo court fortified garrisons at key northern points such as Hamju and Kyuju, searching for fugitive households and suspicious armed personnel to prevent forces from the late Yuan turmoil from infiltrating the peninsula. Frontier commanders also exchanged intelligence with Yuan Liaodong authorities.
3. 1338–1340Gaegyeong · Korean PeninsulaAs popular uprisings in the Central Plains grew frequent, the Goryeo court regarded the Red Turbans and associated armed groups as a major border threat. The court discussed strengthening coastal and northern defenses, restricting entry by Yuan rebels, and preparing for more intense military responses during the later reign of King Gongmin.