Third_conflict_in_the_Goryeo–Khitan_War
Third conflict in the Goryeo–Khitan War
11th-century conflict between the Goryeo dynasty of Korea and the Liao dynasty of Chin
The Third Goryeo–Khitan War (Chinese: 第三次高麗契丹戰爭; Korean: 제3차 고려-거란 전쟁) was an 11th-century conflict between the Goryeo dynasty of Korea and the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China near what is now the border between China and North Korea. The Goryeo–Khitan Wars began in 993 with the first campaign and continued with the second campaign.
After the second Liao campaign against Goryeo, the two sides fought indecisively until 1018, when a large expeditionary army was mobilized by the Liao under the command of Xiao Paiya. The army crossed the Yalu in late 1018 but was ambushed by a superior Goryeo force and suffered severe losses. However the Goryeo army had cut their line of retreat, so Xiao Paiya marched south with the intent of taking Kaesong. They were constantly harried by Korean attacks and forced to retreat.[8] At the Battle of Gwiju, they were encircled and attacked by the Goryeo army, which almost annihilated the Khitan army.[9][10] According to Korean sources, only a few thousand men managed to retreat to the Liao border.[11]