Battle of Gochang

Overview

The Battle of Gochang was a battle in the first lunar month of 930 (13th year of Taejo of Goryeo) in which the army of Wang Geon, Taejo of Goryeo, decisively defeated the army of Gyeon Hwon of Later Baekje at Gochang County (古昌郡, present-day Andong, North Gyeongsang Province). According to the Goryeosa, on the day byeongsul of the first month (the 21st day, corresponding to 22 February in the Gregorian calendar), Taejo encamped at Byeongsan and Gyeon Hwon at Seoksan and the two sides confronted each other; after fighting until evening, Gyeon Hwon fled in defeat. The Goryeo army captured Kim Ak, a secretary of Later Baekje, and killed more than 8,000 men. With this victory, Goryeo regained the initiative it had lost after the Battle of Gongsan.

Background

After the victory at the Battle of Gongsan, Later Baekje expanded its power across the Gyeongsang region. In 928 it seized Gangju (Jinju) and captured Oeogok Fortress, killing 1,000 Goryeo soldiers; in the seventh month of 929, Gyeon Hwon himself led 5,000 armored soldiers to attack Uiseong-bu and killed Hong Sul, the castle lord who had faithfully followed Goryeo. Taejo is said to have wept upon hearing of Hong Sul's death, lamenting, "I have lost my left and right hands." In the twelfth month of the same year, Gyeon Hwon besieged Gochang County, a key transportation hub, and Taejo personally led troops to its relief.

Course of Events

In the first month of 930, Taejo encamped at Byeongsan in Gochang County, and Gyeon Hwon encamped at Seoksan, a little over 500 bo away. The two armies fought until evening, and Gyeon Hwon was defeated and fled. The Goryeo army captured the secretary Kim Ak, and more than 8,000 Later Baekje soldiers were killed (Goryeosa). On the same day, a report reached Taejo that Gyeon Hwon had sent a general who captured Sunju Fortress and led its residents away. Taejo soon went to Sunju, repaired the fortress, and punished General Wonbong for failing to hold the fortress.

The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture cites the active cooperation of local powerful families in Gochang as the decisive factor in the victory. Kim Seonpyeong, castle lord of Gochang County, and Gwon Haeng and Jang Gil fought on the side of Goryeo, and on the twenty-fifth day of the first month (gyeongin), Taejo rewarded Kim Seonpyeong with the rank of Daegwang and made Gwon Haeng and Jang Gil Daesang. They were later revered as the founding ancestors of the Andong Kim, Andong Gwon, and Andong Jang clans. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture's entry on "Later Baekje" explains that these men, as local officials-turned-powerful families friendly to the Silla royal house, harbored resentment against Gyeon Hwon, who had caused the death of King Gyeongae, and therefore cooperated with Goryeo.

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