Battle of Kuju
Battle in Korea in 1019
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Battle of Kwiju | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Third Goryeo-Khitan War | |||||||
Battle of Kwiju | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Liao dynasty | Goryeo | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Xiao Paiya |
Kang Kam-ch'an[3] Kang Min-ch'ŏm Kim Chong-hyŏn | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 100,000[4] | 208,300[5] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 90,000+ | Few thousand | ||||||
| Battle of Kuju | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 龜州大捷 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 龟州大捷 | ||||||
| |||||||
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] The battle is considered one of the greatest victories in Korean military history.
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.