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First Mongol Invasion of Goryeo

Type Event Region East Asia Time 1231–1232

In 1231 Mongol general Sartaq crossed the Yalu and launched the first large-scale invasion of Goryeo, taking northern frontier cities and approaching…

Timeline

  1. 1231Yalu River—northern frontier cities · Korean PeninsulaUsing pretexts such as the killing of the envoy Zhuguoyu in 1225, the Mongols invaded Goryeo from Liaodong under Sartaq. Cities of the northern frontier including Uiju fell in succession; places like Giju resisted stubbornly but could not stop the Mongol main force from advancing south.
  2. 1231–1232Gaesong (Gaegyeong) · GaesongMongol forces reached the vicinity of Gaegyeong, forcing Goryeo to send envoys seeking peace, pay tribute, and accept darughachi. Exposed to cavalry, Gaegyeong led Choi Ui to begin planning the relocation of the royal house and government off the mainland.
  3. 1232Ganghwa Island · Ganghwa IslandIn 1232 the court moved to Ganghwa Island, continuing to defy the Mongols from behind the strait. Sartaq invaded again and was shot dead by Goryeo forces near Chorin Fortress, and the Mongols temporarily withdrew. Ganghwa became the maritime seat of anti-Mongol resistance for decades; its 1240s stationing is covered in an existing entry.

Sources