Battle of Pyongyang Fortress (371)

Overview

The Battle of Pyongyang Fortress was fought in the winter of 371 (the 26th year of King Geunchogo of Baekje, the 41st year of King Gogukwon of Goguryeo), when Baekje forces attacked the Goguryeo fortress of Pyongyang. In this battle, King Gogukwon of Goguryeo was killed by a stray arrow (流矢). It is a rare case in Korean history in which a king died in battle against an enemy state, and it marks the peak of Baekje's northward advance under King Geunchogo. However, Baekje did not capture Pyongyang Fortress and withdrew.

Dates are according to the lunar calendar (King Gogukwon's death date is the 23rd day of the 10th month). The map marker is placed at Pyongyang. For the exact location of Pyongyang Fortress at the time, see "Alternative theories" below.

Background

After the Murong Huang's invasion of Goguryeo in 342, Goguryeo turned its attention to the south and sought to advance into the former Daifang region, using the Pyongyang Fortress, which had been expanded in 334, as its base. In 369, King Gogukwon led 20,000 troops south but lost about 5,000 men at the Battle of Chiyang to Crown Prince Geungu-su of Baekje. Goguryeo sought to make up for the defeat, and Baekje sought to push Goguryeo further north.

Course of events

Ambush at the Paha River

According to the annals of Baekje in the Samguk sagi, under the year 26 of King Geunchogo's reign, Goguryeo raised an army and invaded that year. Upon hearing of this, King Geunchogo hid troops along the banks of the Paha (浿河) River, waited for the Goguryeo army to arrive, and then attacked suddenly, causing the Goguryeo army to flee in defeat. This battle does not appear in the annals of Goguryeo.

Attack on Pyongyang Fortress

In the winter of the same year, King Geunchogo led 30,000 elite troops together with the crown prince into Goguryeo and attacked Pyongyang Fortress. The annals of Goguryeo record this as: "In the winter of the 41st year, in the 10th month, the king of Baekje led an army of 30,000, came, and attacked Pyongyang Fortress."

Death of King Gogukwon

King Gogukwon sent out troops and fought back. The annals of Baekje state that "King Sayu of Goguryeo fought fiercely to defend and was struck by a stray arrow and died," while the annals of Goguryeo record that "the king went out with troops to resist and was hit by a stray arrow. He died on the 23rd day of this month and was buried in the field of Gokuk (故國)." The posthumous title Gogukwon (故國原王) derives from this burial site.