Battle of Kuju
Battle of Gwiju | |||||||
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Part of Third Goryeo-Khitan War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Khitan Liao | Goryeo | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Xiao Paiya |
Gang Gam-chan Gang Min-cheom Kim Jong-hyeon[1] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
100,000[1] | 208,000[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
90,000+ | few |
Battle of Kuju | |
Hangul | 귀주대첩 |
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Hanja | 龜州大捷 |
Revised Romanization | Guju Daecheop |
McCune–Reischauer | Kuiju Taech'ŏp |
The Battle of Gwiju, which occurred in 1019, was the major battle during the Third Goryeo-Khitan War (1018-1019).
After crossing the Aprok River, the Khitan troops invaded Korea. But the Korean general Gang Gam-chan dammed a stream and released it as the Khitan troops were crossing. Despite suffering significant casualties, some Khitan troops marched to Gaegyeong, the capital of Korea.
During their campaign, general Gang Gam-chan cut the supplies of the Khitan troops and harassed them relentlessly. Exhausted, the Khitan troops decided to retreat hastily northward. Monitoring the movement of their troops, general Gang Gam-chan attacked them in the vicinity of Gwiju, ending in a complete victory for the Goryeo Dynasty.
Aftermath
After the battle, peace negotiations followed and the Khitan did not invade Korea again.[1] Korea entered in a long and peaceful period with their foreign neighbours across the Aprok river. The victory at the battle of Hong-Hwa-Jin is today called one of the three greatest military victories (other victories are Battle of Salsu and Battle of Hansando) in Korean history.
See also
- Goryeo-Khitan Wars
- First Goryeo-Khitan War
- Second Goryeo-Khitan War
- Third Goryeo-Khitan War
- Gang Gam-chan
- Siege of Kusong