Battle of Kuju

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Battle of Kwiju
Part of
North Pyongan
Result Goryeo victory[1][2]
Belligerents Liao dynasty GoryeoCommanders and leaders Xiao Paiya Kang Kam-ch'an[3]
Kang Min-ch'ŏm
Kim Chong-hyŏnStrength 100,000[4] 208,300[5]Casualties and losses 90,000+ few thousand
Battle of Kuju
Hanyu Pinyin
Guīzhōu dàjié
Battle of Kuju
Hangul
귀주대첩 or 구주대첩
Hanja
龜州大捷
Revised RomanizationGwiju Daecheop or Guju Daecheop
McCune–ReischauerKwiju Taech'ŏp or Kuju Taech'ŏp

The Battle of Kwiju, also known as the Battle of Kuju, which occurred in 1019, was the major battle during the

Third Goryeo–Khitan War (1018-1019), fought between the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China and the Goryeo dynasty
of Korea.

After crossing the Amnok River, the Liao dynasty troops invaded the Goryeo dynasty. The Goryeo general Kang Kam-ch'an dammed a stream and released it as the Liao troops were crossing. Despite suffering significant casualties, Liao troops marched to Gaegyeong, the capital of Goryeo.

During their campaign, general Kang Kam-ch'an cut the supplies of the Liao troops and harassed them relentlessly. Exhausted, the Liao troops decided to retreat hastily northward. Monitoring the movement of their troops, general Kang Kamch'an attacked them in the vicinity of Gwiju, ending in a complete victory for the Goryeo dynasty.[6]

Aftermath

After the battle, peace negotiations followed and the Liao dynasty did not invade Korea again.[3][7] Korea agreed to break off relations with the Song and have tributary relations with the Liao, but kept its newly gained territories at the Yalu river.[8] According to historian Bielenstein however, Goryeo maintained diplomatic relations with Song rather than break relations, Hyeonjong kept his own reign title, and the Goryeo and Liao had concluded peace as equals in 1022.[9] After the conflict's end, Korea entered in a long and peaceful period with its foreign neighbours across the Yalu River.

See also

  • Goryeo-Khitan Wars
  • First Goryeo-Khitan War
  • Second Goryeo-Khitan War
  • Third Goryeo-Khitan War
  • Kang Kamch'an
  • Siege of Kusong

References

Sources