List of wars involving Korea until 1948

Last updated

This is a list of wars involving Korea until 1948, when the Korean peninsula was de facto divided into South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK) and North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK).

Contents

Gojoseon: ? - 108BC

ConflictGojoseonOpponentsResultsMonarch of Gojoseon
Gojoseon-Yan War
(c.300 BC)
Gojoseon Yan DefeatUnknown
Wiman's political change
(c.194 BC)
Gojoseon Wiman Defeat
  • Jun defeats and Wiman becomes the monarch of Gojoseon.
Jun
Gojoseon-Han War
(109-108 BC)
Gojoseon Han dynasty Defeat King Ugeo

Three Kingdoms of Korea

Goguryeo: 37 BC – 668 AD

ConflictGoguryeo and its alliesOpponentsResultsMonarch of GoguryeoNotable battles
Goguryeo–Wei War
(244-245)
Goguryeo Cao Wei Defeat
  • Goguryeo temporarily loses its capital and is nearly destroyed.
King Dongcheon
Goguryeo–Wa War
(391-404)
Goguryeo
Silla
Baekje
Wa
Gaya
Victory
  • The power of Geumgwan Gaya is broken and Wa is expelled from Korean affairs. Silla becomes a protectorate of Goguryeo.
Gwanggaeto the Great
Goguryeo–Sui War
(598, 612–614)
Goguryeo Sui dynasty Victory King Yeongyang
Goguryeo–Tang War
(645–668 CE)
Goguryeo
Baekje
Yamato
Mohe
Tang dynasty
Silla
Defeat King Bojang

Baekje: 18 BC – 660 AD

ConflictBaekje and its alliesOpponentsResultsMonarch of Baekje
Baekje–Tang War
(660-663)
Tang dynasty
Silla
Baekje
Yamato
Defeat King Uija

Silla: 57 BC – 935 AD

ConflictSilla and its alliesOpponentsResultsMonarch of Silla
Silla–Gaya War
(88–562)
Silla Gaya
Baekje
Victory
  • Gaya was absorbed into Silla and Baekje.
Various
Silla–Tang War
(668–676)
Silla
Goguryeo (vassal of Silla)
Baekje (vassal of Silla)
Tang dynasty Victory
  • Silla recaptured the territory south of Taedong River, while Tang held control over former Gorguryeo territory north of Taedong River.
King Munmu

Goryeo: 918–1392

ConflictGoryeo and its alliesOpponentsResultsMonarch of GoryeoNotable battles
Goryeo–Khitan War
(993, 1010, 1018–1019)
Royal flag of Goryeo (Bong-gi).svg Goryeo Liao dynasty Victory
  • The Khitan Liao dynasty cedes territory around the Yalu River basin to Goryeo
  • Goryeo pays tribute to the Liao dynasty to establish diplomatic relations
  • Peace ensues between Goryeo and Liao, and Liao never attacks Goryeo again
King Hyeonjong
Korean–Jurchen border conflicts
(10th century – 14th century)
Royal flag of Goryeo (Bong-gi).svg Goryeo Jin dynasty
Jurchens
StalemateVarious
Mongol invasions of Korea
(1231, 1232, [1] 1235 [1] –1239, 1251, 1254, 1255, 1257)
Royal flag of Goryeo (Bong-gi).svg Goryeo Imperial Seal of the Mongols 1246.svg Mongol Empire Defeat King Gojong
Mongol invasions of Japan
(1274, [1] 1281 [1] )
Imperial Seal of the Mongols 1246.svg Mongol Empire

Imperial Seal of the Mongols 1246.svg Yuan dynasty
Royal flag of Goryeo (Bong-gi).svg Goryeo (vassal of Mongol Empire) [1]

Imperial Seal of Japan.svg Imperial Court Defeat King Wonjong
King Chungnyeol
Red Turban invasions of Korea
(1359, 1361)
Royal flag of Goryeo (Bong-gi).svg Goryeo Red Turbans Victory
  • Although Goryeo had repulsed the Red Turbans, both the population and the economy had been severely damaged.
King Gongmin

Joseon: 1392–1897

ConflictJoseon dynasty and its alliesOpponentsResultsMonarch of JoseonNotable battles
Second Tsushima Expedition
(1396)
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty So clan mon2.svg Tsushima Province Victory
  • Resulted in yearly tributes by Tsushima.
King Taejong
Third Tsushima Expedition
(1419)
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty So clan mon2.svg Tsushima Province Victory
  • Sadamori sends a letter of surrender to Joseon court [2]
  • Wokuo pirates cease their activities in Joseon [3]
King Sejong the Great
Joseon Northern Expedition
(1443)
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Jurchen.png Jianzhou Jurchens Victory
  • Led to establishment of present-day northern borders.
King Sejong the Great
Sampo Invasion
(1510)
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty So clan mon2.svg Tsushima Province Victory
  • Joseon broke all diplomatic relations with Japan after the incident.
King Jungjong
Japanese invasions of Korea,
or Imjin War

(1592–1598) [4]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty

Seal of Ming dynasty.svg Ming dynasty

Toyotomi mon.png Azuchi-Momoyama Japan Victory
  • October 1598: Japanese withdrawal from Korea [5]
  • Joseon and Ming victory
King Seonjo
Ming-Manchu War
(1618–1683)
Seal of Ming dynasty.svg Ming dynasty
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty
Kumul Khanate
Turfan Khanate
Amaga aisin gurun1.png Manchus Defeat Gwanghaegun
First Manchu invasion of Korea
(1627) [5]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1889).svg Later Jin Dynasty Defeat
  • Was spurred by actions of Mao Wenlong, a Ming commander who operated off islands of Korea.
King Injo
Second Manchu invasion of Korea
(1636–1637) [5]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1889).svg Qing Dynasty Defeat
  • Brought forth the idea of Punitive North Expedition in Joseon.
King Injo
Sino-Russian border conflicts
(1652–1689; Korean
involvement since 1654 [5] )
Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1889).svg China
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty
Flag of Russia (1696-1917).svg Russia
Hetmanate Army flag.png Cossacks
Victory King Hyojong
Yi In-jwa's Rebellion, or
Musin Rebellion (1728) [5]
Flag of the king of Joseon.svg Joseon Army Yi In-Jwa's rebel armyGovernment victory
  • Rebellion suppressed
King Yeongjo
Hong Gyeong-rae's Rebellion
(1812) [5]
Flag of the king of Joseon.svg Joseon Army Hong Gyeong-rae's rebel armyGovernment victory
  • Rebellion suppressed
King Sunjo
French expedition to Korea
(1866) [5]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Flag of France (1794-1815).svg  France Victory
  • Spurred by Joseon's execution of French Catholic priests on the same year.
Heungseon Daewongun
United States expedition to Korea
(1871) [5]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Flag of the United States (1867-1877).svg United States Victory
  • Spurred by Joseon's unknown treatment of the American merchant ship General Sherman .
Heungseon Daewongun
Ganghwa Island incident
(1875) [6]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Defeat King Gojong
Imo Incident
(1882)
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty Flag of Korea (1893).svg Korean military dissidents, mostly from the Central Defense CommandGovernment victory
  • Spurred by Central Defense Command receiving significantly worse treatment compared to the newly established "Byolkigun".
King Gojong
Gapsin Coup
(1884) [6]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty
Supported by
Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg Qing China
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Reformist Faction
Supported by
Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan
Government victory
  • Qing Chinese military intervention [6]
  • Flight of the Progressives to Japan [6]
King Gojong
Donghak Peasant Revolution
(1894–1895) [7]
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Joseon Dynasty

Supported by:
Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg Qing China
(May–July 1894)
Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan (July 1894 – 1895)
Flag of Korea (1893).svg Enlightenment Party (July 1894 – 1895)

Flag of Donghak Peasant Revolution (small).svg Donghak Peasant's Army

Co-belligerent:
Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg Qing China
(July 1894 – April 1895)

Rebellion suppressed; pro-Japanese takeover King Gojong

Heungseon Daewongun (pro-Japanese puppet, July–September 1894)

Korean Empire: 1897–1910

ConflictKorean Empire and its alliesOpponentsResultsEmperor of Korea
Korean Invasion of Manchuria
(1902)
Flag of Korea (1899).svg  Korea Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg  China Victory
  • Korean settlers and soldiers moved into Southern Manchuria as the Qing Dynasty weakened
Emperor Gwangmu
Eulsa Righteous War
(1905)
Flag of Korea (1899).svg  Korea Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Defeat Emperor Gwangmu
Jeungmi Righteous War
(1907)
Flag of Korea (1899).svg  Korea Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Defeat
  • Reaction to the forced dissolution of the Korean Imperial Army.
Emperor Yunghui
Great Korean Militia Roundup Campaign
(1909)
Flag of Korea (1899).svg  Korea Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Defeat
  • Most battles were around the Southern Korea region of Jeolla.
Emperor Yunghui

Occupied Korea: 1910–1945

ConflictProvisional Government of Korea and its alliesOpponentsResultsLeader
of Provisional Government
Battle of Fengwudong
(1920)
Flag of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.svg Provisional Korea Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Victory
  • One of earlier Korean independence movements.
President
Syngman Rhee
Battle of Chongsanli
(1920)
Flag of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.svg Provisional Korea Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Victory
  • Referred in Korea as "Great victory of Chongsanli".
President
Syngman Rhee
Free City Incident
(1921)
Flag of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.svg Provisional Korea
  • Korea Independence Corps
Flag of Far Eastern republic.svg Far Eastern Republic Defeat
  • Most of initial Korean militia was destroyed during the massacre.
President
Syngman Rhee
South-East Asian theatre of World War II
(1942–1945)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom

Flag of the Republic of China.svg China

Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg United States

Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan

Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand

VictoryPremier
Kim Gu

See also

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hoare 2020, p. xxxi.
    2. "The Veritable Records of King Sejong" . Retrieved 20 January 2021. The Daimyo of Daemado (Tsushima), Sadamori (宗都都熊瓦), sent a letter to Yejo Panseo, begging for surrender, and petitioned for personal trust."].
    3. Seoh, M.S. (1969). "A Brief Documentary Survey of Japanese Pirate Activities in Korea in the 13 th—15 th Centuries". Journal of Korean Studies. 1 (1): 23–39. ISSN   0022-2127. JSTOR   23849476.
    4. Hoare 2020, pp. xxxi–xxxii.
    5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hoare 2020, p. xxxii.
    6. 1 2 3 4 Hoare 2020, p. xxxiii.
    7. 1 2 3 Hoare 2020, pp. xxxiii–xxxiv.

    Bibliography