Battle of Hongsan

Overview

The Battle of Hongsan (Korean: 홍산 대첩, Hanja: 鴻山大捷) was a battle in July 1376 (2nd year of King U) in which Choe Yeong (崔瑩) decisively defeated the wokou at Hongsan (present-day Hongsan-myeon, Buyeo-gun, South Chungcheong Province). It is also called the 'Battle of Hongsan'. The dates are in the lunar calendar, and the exact date has not been preserved.

Background

The wokou of the late Goryeo period became full-scale from 1350 and were at their most severe during the reign of King U. After King U ascended the throne, the wokou aimed at the capital Gaegyeong, but when they were blocked they turned toward the coast of Yanggwang-do. In 1376 they went up the Geum River and plundered the areas of Buyeo and Gongju. In July of that year, Kim Sahyeok, magistrate of Gongju, tried to stop them but was defeated, and Gongju fell. The wokou then attacked the Gaetaesa temple in Yeonsan (present-day Yeonsan-myeon, Nonsan City), and Park Ingye, the wonsu who was defending it, was killed in action.

Upon hearing of this, Choe Yeong asked on his own initiative to deploy. King U and his ministers tried to dissuade him, citing that he was already 61 years old, but Choe Yeong repeatedly requested it and was finally granted permission.

Course of the Battle

Choe Yeong set out for Hongsan together with Choe Gongcheol, the Provincial Commissioner for Military Affairs of Yanggwang-do, Gang Yeong, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Park Sunyeon, the Military Commander, among others. At that time the wokou appeared as if they were about to return, but they continued to plunder, and with no opposing force to check them, their momentum was very high.

The battlefield was a narrow and dangerous place with cliffs on three sides and only one road, and the wokou had already occupied it first. When the commanders grew frightened and could not advance, Choe Yeong took the lead and charged forward. It is said that an arrow shot by an enemy hidden in the forest struck Choe Yeong's lip, and blood flowed, but Choe Yeong did not waver and, before pulling out the arrow, first shot down that enemy. Thereupon the Goryeo army fought with renewed strength and nearly annihilated the wokou.

Result

In August, when Choe Yeong returned in triumph to Gaegyeong, the court welcomed him with ceremonies comparable to those for receiving an envoy of the emperor, and King U enfeoffed Choe Yeong as Prince Consort of Cheorwon (철원부원군) and also rewarded the soldiers. When King U asked how many enemies there had been, Choe Yeong is said to have answered that there were not many. Therefore, the specific course of the battle and the sizes of the forces on both sides are not known.

Impact and Significance