Discover how Goryeo’s leaders orchestrated the Battle of Gwiju using bait tactics, psychological warfare, and perfectly timed ambushes to crush the Khitan elite cavalry.👇
1. Strategic Foundations and Setup at Gwiju
The Battle of Gwiju was not a spontaneous clash but the product of meticulous design by King Hyeonjong and General Gang Gam-chan. As the Khitan army retreated from their failed invasion, Goryeo’s leadership positioned its forces near Gwiju—a narrow plain between two rivers that limited maneuverability. The goal: trap and destroy the enemy before they escaped beyond the border.
Facing 100,000 of the world’s most elite cavalry, Goryeo deployed 200,000 troops, forming a last-ditch effort to preserve the nation. This was a battle for survival—with no retreat plan and no second chances.
2. The “Baesu-jin” Trap: Misleading the Khitans
2.1. Reframing the Classic “Baesu-jin”
“Baesu-jin,” often misunderstood as a desperate formation where troops fight with a river at their back, is in fact a deception tactic. Inspired by Han Xin’s ambush strategy in ancient China, the goal was to bait the enemy into false confidence, thinking they had cornered a trapped force.
2.2. Goryeo’s Application of the Trap
Gang Gam-chan intentionally crossed one river early to make it appear that Goryeo’s troops had set up a classic “no-retreat” stance. Seeing this, Khitan advisor Yelü Paga convinced Xiao Paiya to enter the plains and also cross one river—placing both armies in a locked kill zone between rivers.
Once inside, both sides were trapped. But Goryeo had planned for this; the terrain favored the defenders, and the Khitans were now cut off from flexible retreat. What appeared to be bold bravery was actually a calculated setup.
3. Reconstructing the Battle: A 2-Night, 3-Day Struggle
3.1. Endurance Combat
Using methods from Western military analysis, historians estimate the battle lasted approximately two nights and three days. Medieval battles involving tens of thousands of troops could not end in mere hours—exhaustion, heat, and rotation of front lines were essential factors.
Goryeo’s use of 200,000 infantry was not for initial shock but to allow continuous engagement through troop rotation. Khitan cavalry employed “Suhum” tactics—hit-and-run archery from horseback, meant to drain stamina and provoke disorder before a final cavalry charge.
3.2. Withstanding “Suhum” and Biding Time
Goryeo infantry had to endure waves of arrow fire and mobility-based attacks. Victory wouldn’t come from attrition alone—they needed a moment to turn the tide. That moment came when the Khitans believed victory was within reach, and their guard was down.
4. The Decisive Strike: Timing and Ambush
4.1. Hidden Reinforcements
Just as the Khitans began final maneuvers expecting to collapse the tired Goryeo lines, a secret force appeared: a 10,000-strong iron cavalry unit led by General Kim Jong-hyeon. This unit had remained invisible until the critical moment.
The iron cavalry struck the Khitan rear, targeting supply lines, spare armor, and support camels. Crucially, they attacked before the Khitan cavalry could switch from light gear to their heavily armored configuration. It was a strike of surgical precision—executed when the enemy was still in vulnerable formation.
4.2. Complete Encirclement
As Kim’s cavalry tore through the rear, Goryeo’s infantry closed in from all sides, forming a full encirclement. This required discipline and pre-planned coordination, as 200,000 infantry could not spontaneously form a flawless trap.
Once the encirclement locked in, the battlefield became a slaughter. The Khitan army, surrounded and outmaneuvered, suffered devastating losses. Survivors attempted to flee but were pursued and eliminated by Goryeo's mobile forces under General Gang Min-cheom.
5. Aftermath: Collapse of a Superpower
5.1. Strategic Outcome
Of the Khitan’s 100,000 elite troops, fewer than 1,000 returned home. Their defeat shattered the military core of the Liao dynasty, which never recovered its offensive capability against Korea. Goryeo emerged as a respected regional power and dictated new terms in East Asia's diplomatic balance.
5.2. Domestic Impact
Victory at Gwiju preserved Goryeo’s sovereignty and united its people. Citizens from all social classes had participated in this total war effort. The shared sacrifice forged a new national identity, transforming a fragmented population into a more cohesive Korean people.
5.3. Legacy and National Pride
Although Goryeo remained a tributary state on paper, it exercised leverage far beyond its formal status. Even in tributary missions to Song or Liao, Goryeo envoys often acted with confidence—even arrogance—knowing their military success had earned them respect.
6. Risk and Genius of the Gwiju Plan
6.1. No Plan B
One criticism of Hyeonjong and Gang Gam-chan’s plan is its total reliance on perfect execution. If any part failed—if Kim Jong-hyeon’s cavalry arrived too early, too late, or not at all—Goryeo might have ceased to exist. There was no backup plan, only resolve and confidence in their design.
6.2. Historical Reconstruction
The insights into the Gwiju battle stem from deep historical analysis and creative reconstruction. These interpretations allow us to understand ancient warfare not as chaotic brawls, but as chess matches of timing, deception, and sacrifice.
7. Conclusion: Tactical Brilliance in Defense of a Nation
The Battle of Gwiju was not won by numbers, nor by brute force. It was a masterpiece of psychological warfare, terrain manipulation, and tactical patience. The victory reflected Korea’s distinct strategic mindset: better to risk all now than die slowly later. And in doing so, Hyeonjong and Gang Gam-chan changed the course of their nation's history.
