Event Invasions of Korea

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A series of campaigns were conducted between 1231 and 1270 by the Mongol Empire against the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. The last campaign made Goryeo a vassal state of the Yuan dynasty.

Chronology

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1. First Mongol Invasion of Korea

Was the first of a series of military invasion of Korea by the Mongol Empire.

  • June 1232: Mongol General Saritai began withdrawing his main force from Korea in the spring of 1232.
  • January 1232: In 1231, the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan's grandson Batu Khan, captured the territory of Anju. This conquest was part of the Mongol Empire's expansion into the Korean Peninsula and China, solidifying their control over the region.
  • January 1232: In 1231, the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan's grandson Batu Khan, captured the territory of Anju. This conquest was part of the Mongol Empire's expansion into the Korean Peninsula and China, solidifying their control over the region.
  • October 1231: Kuju is besieged by the Mongols.
  • January 1232: In 1231, Ögedei Khan ordered the invasion of Korea. The Mongol army crossed the Yalu river and quickly secured the surrender of the border town of Uiju.
  • October 1231: Kuju is besieged by the Mongols.
  • June 1232: Mongol General Saritai began withdrawing his main force from Korea in the spring of 1232.
  • February 1232: The Mongols were forced to retreat from Kuju.

2. Second Mongol Invasion of Korea

Was the second of a series of military invasion of Korea by the Mongol Empire.

  • December 1232: The Mongols occupied much of northern Korea.
  • December 1232: The Mongol general there, Saritai, was killed by the monk Kim Yun-hu amidst strong civilian resistance at the Battle of Cheoin near Yongin, forcing the Mongols to withdraw from Korea.

3. Third Mongol Invasion of Korea

Was the third of a series of military invasion of Korea by the Mongol Empire.

  • January 1236: In 1235, the Mongols began a campaign that ravaged parts of Gyeongsang and Jeolla Provinces. Civilian resistance was strong, and the Royal Court at Ganghwa attempted to strengthen its fortress
  • February 1236: In 1238, Goryeo sued the Mongols for peace. The Mongols withdrew from Korea, in exchange for Goryeo's agreement to send the Royal Family as hostages.

4. Fourth Mongol Invasion of Korea

Was the fourth of a series of military invasion of Korea by the Mongol Empire.

  • February 1248: After Güyük Khan's death in 1248, the Mongols retreated from Korea.
  • January 1248: In 1247, the Mongols, led by Güyük Khan, launched their fourth campaign on the Korean Peninsula, capturing the entire Peninsula except for Ganghwa island and mountain forts.

5. Fifth Mongol Invasion of Korea

Was the fifth of a series of military invasion of Korea by the Mongol Empire.

  • September 1253: The Mongols agreed to a cease fire with Goryeo in January 1254 and left Korea.
  • August 1253: Military campaign in Korea led by Mongol Empire's general Bayan.

6. Sixth Mongol Invasion of Korea

Was the last of a series of military invasion of Korea by the Mongol Empire, and the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea finally became a vassal of Mongols.

  • January 1260: The Korean kingdom of Goryeo capitulated in 1259 and became a vassal.
  • February 1255: The Mongols leave Korea.
  • January 1255: The Mongols under Jalairtai launched a devastating invasion of Korea.