100,000 208,000 Date 10 March 1019 | 90,000+ few | |
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Similar Goryeo–Khitan War, Battle of Salsu, Siege of Haengju, Battle of Hansan Island, Siege of Jinju | ||
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 Korea general Gang Gam-chan dammed a stream and released it as the Khitan troops were crossing. Despite of 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 to the Goryeo Dynasty.
Aftermath
After the battle, peace negotiations followed and the Khitan did not invade Korea anymore. 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.