Goryeo-Jurchen Frontier Conflict

Timeline

1. 1108Byeonghyang-Hamju-Giju · Northeastern Korean PeninsulaWanyan Uyashu led Jurchen tribes in a counterattack against Goryeo's nine northeastern forts. The Jurchens besieged Yun Gwan and Oh Yeonchong at Byeonghyang; Tak Jun-gyeong broke out to lift the siege. They also attacked Hamju and Giju, besieging Hyeongju for 27 days. Goryeo officers Yu Ui, Song Chung, Park Hwajeol and others were killed in battle; though the royal forces occasionally won, casualties were heavy, border people suffered famine and plague, and the court and public complained.
2. 1108Gaesong · GaesongJurchen elder Niaofu and others came to court requesting the return of their old lands, willing to pay tribute for generations. King Injong convened his ministers to debate staying or leaving: Kim Yeon argued forcefully that the nine forts were remote and hard to hold, and that Helan prefecture chieftains mostly held Khitan offices, so failing to return them would provoke Liao; he advocated resting the people and withdrawing troops. Choi Hongsa and 27 others agreed, while Park Seungjong and others opposed. After hesitating, the king decided to return the nine forts.
3. 1108Hamju (one of the nine forts) · Northeastern Korean PeninsulaChoi Hongjeong, Mun Gwan and others successively collected the forts' war materiel and provisions, withdrawing the garrisons of Chongnyeong, Tongtae, Yeong, Bok, Ham, Hyeong and other prefectures. Jurchen chieftains swore an oath to heaven outside Hamju's gate, pledging nine generations without malice and annual tribute. Over 68,000 Goryeo households relocated inland with the withdrawal; the border conflict temporarily subsided, and Yun Gwan and others were subsequently stripped of honors and offices.