Battle of Pyongyang

Overview

The Battle of Pyongyang was the second major land battle of the Sino-Japanese War and the largest Qing-Japanese decisive engagement fought on the Korean Peninsula. On 15 September 1894, Japanese forces attacked Pyongyang Fortress from several directions, and that night the Qing troops abandoned the city and fled north, allowing the Japanese to occupy Pyongyang on the 16th. Two days later, together with the victory in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, Japan seized the initiative in the war.

Background

After the Battle of Seonghwan, the Qing used Pyongyang as a base and concentrated a large army there. According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, the Qing troops gathered in Pyongyang numbered 14,000. The forces of Sie Chi-chao, who had retreated north after their defeat at Seonghwan, also joined them, and Sie Chi-chao assumed overall command. The Qing army strengthened Pyongyang Fortress and its surrounding strongpoints along the Daedong River.

Japan mobilized the 5th Division (commanded by Nozu Michitsura) and part of the 3rd Division, advancing them toward Pyongyang from the directions of Seoul and Wonsan. These units were later organized as the 1st Army under Yamagata Aritomo.

Course of the Battle

The Japanese forces approached Pyongyang along several routes and began their attack at dawn on 15 September.

• The unit attacking from the south of the Daedong River (toward Seongyo-ri) was blocked by strong Qing resistance from its fortifications and suffered heavy losses.
• In the north, Japanese forces attacked and captured the Qing fortifications around Moran Hill. The Qing commander Zuo Baogui (Cho Pogwi), who defended this area, was killed fighting near the Hyeonmu Gate.
• After Moran Hill was lost, the Qing troops inside the fortress lost their morale. Sie Chi-chao raised a white flag in the afternoon, and under cover of rain during the night, the Qing troops slipped out of the fortress and retreated toward Uiju. They suffered many casualties from Japanese attacks during the retreat.

On 16 September, Japanese forces entered Pyongyang Fortress.

Results and Impact

• The Qing army crossed the Yalu River and withdrew, effectively ending Qing military power on the Korean Peninsula.
• In the Battle of the Yellow Sea on 17 September, the Beiyang Fleet was also defeated, and Japan secured the initiative on both land and sea. The Japanese 1st Army crossed the Yalu River in late October and advanced into Manchuria.
• Following the Pyongyang victory, Japan turned to an "active intervention policy" toward Joseon, sending Inoue Kaoru as minister to deeply involve itself in the Gabo Reform.