Siege of Pyongyang (1593)

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Siege of Pyongyang

Part of Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598)

Date	January 1593
Location	Pyongyang city
Result	Korean and Chinese allied forces victory

Belligerents

Japanese army

Korean army and Ming allies.

Commanders

Konishi Yukinaga

Li Rusong
Yu Seong-ryong
Li Rubo
Song Yicheng

Strength

42,000

43,000

Casualties and losses

16,000

Approximately 800 deaths

Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598)

Busan – Tadaejin – Dongnae – Sangju – Ch'ungju – Okpo – 1st Sacheon – Imjin River – Dangpo – Danghangpo – Hansan Island – Pyongyang – Jeonju – Haejeongchang – Busan – Jinju – Pyeongyang – Byeokjegwan – Haengju – Jinju – Busan – Hwawangsan – Chilchonryang – Namwon – Myeongnyang – Jiksan – Ulsan – 2nd Sacheon – Noryang Point

The siege of Pyongyang was a battle fought between the Ming-Korea alliance and Japanese forces during Japanese invasions of Korea. The Ming army crossed the Yalu river and after a number of small engagements with the Japanese, arrived at the walls of Pyongyang where they met with Joseon forces. A Japanese attack on the encampment of Li Rusong's brother, Li Rubo, was defeated. Early the next day, Li Rusong ordered the Korean armies to assault the eastern walls. Meanwhile, Li's forces bombarded the other walls with cannon and launched many thousands of fire-arrows into the city.

After a fierce battle, the ferocious assault of the Korean army at the east of the city was repulsed by the Japanese defenders. Then, the Ming army under Li Rusong and his brother launched a major attack on the western wall, the fighting was so intense that Li's horse was shot from underneath him. After beating off the defenders, Chinese forces used giant ladders to enter the city, after which a confined, bloody street battle raged between the two armies.

Encircled, Konishi attempted to break out of the city, but the artillery of a Ming army under Song Yichang forced him to turn back. Konishi then planned to retreat to the southwest, where an army he believed to be Korean was stationed. However, they revealed themselves to be Ming troops, which was said to have greatly shocked the Japanese forces. Although he lost the battle, Konishi managed to retreat south with his remaining men. During the retreat, Konishi's army was ambushed when crossing a river. Ming cannon inflicted heavy causalities. The one-day war caused 30 percent causalities.

This battle was probably the largest war using artillery and cannons in the 16th century. Both armies used the state of arts firearms and cannons.