First conflict in the Goryeo–Khitan War explained

Conflict:	First Goryeo–Khitan War
Partof:	Goryeo-Khitan Wars
Date:	November 993 - December 993
Place:	Northern Korean Peninsula
Result:	Diplomatic resolution Liao dynasty withdraws after achieving strategic goal without resorting to combat Goryeo became a Liao tributary^[1] ^[2] and adopted their calendar in 994^[3] ^[4] ^[5] ^[6] Liao gave Goryeo permission to incorporate the land between the border of Liao and Goryeo. And Goryeo fortifies the area to counter the Liao dynasty.
Combatant1:	Goryeo
Combatant2:	Liao Dynasty
Commander1:	Sŏ Hŭi Tae To-su
Commander2:	Xiao Xunning
Strength1:	Unknown
Strength2:	Liao claimed 800,000^[7] but the number is believed to be much lower.
Casualties1:	Unknown
Casualties2:	Unknown

The First Goryeo-Khitan War (;) was a 10th-century conflict between the Goryeo dynasty of Korea and the Khitan-led Liao dynasty of China near what is now the border between China and North Korea. It occurred in 993 and was the first of the Goryeo-Khitan Wars, which were continued with the Second Goryeo-Khitan War (1010) and Third Goryeo-Khitan War (1018).

In 993, the Liao dynasty invaded Goryeo's northwest border with an army that the Liao commander claimed to number 800,000, demanding Goryeo cede territories along the Yalu River. Goryeo appealed for assistance from the Song dynasty, with whom they had a military alliance, but no Song assistance came. After the initial battles, the Khitans made steady southward progress before reaching the Cheongcheon River, at which point they called for negotiations with Goryeo military leadership. While the Khitans initially demanded total surrender from Goryeo, and Goryeo initially appeared willing to consider it, Sŏ Hŭi was eventually able to convince the Khitans to accept Goryeo as a tributary state instead. By 994, regular diplomatic exchanges between the Khitans and Goryeo began.

They forced Goryeo to end its tributary relations with the Song dynasty, to become a Liao tributary state and to adopt Liao's calendar. With Goryeo's agreement of these requirements, Liao forces withdrew. The Liao dynasty gave Goryeo permission to incorporate the land along the border of the two states, which was occupied by Jurchen tribes that were troublesome to Liao, up to the Yalu River.^{[8] [9]} In spite of the settlement, Goryeo continued to communicate with the Song dynasty,^[10] having strengthened its defenses by building fortresses in the newly gained northern territories.

See also

• Goryeo-Khitan War
• Second Goryeo-Khitan War
• Third Goryeo-Khitan War
• History of Korea

References

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Notes and References

1. , p. 106: "the Khitan army attacked Goryeo, who was forced to accept the status of a Liao tributary in 994."
2. , p.103.
3. , pp.63-65.
4. , p. 52: "In the thirteenth year of the reign of King Sŏngjong (994), Koryŏ submitted to the Khitan and adopted their calendar".
5. , : Liao forces invaded Goryeo territory in 993. Instead of pushing for total victory, the Khitans negotiated a peace that forced Goryeo to adopt the Liao calendar and end tributary relations with Song (a violation of King Taejo’s testamentary injunction never to make peace with the Khitan)."
6. , p. 95: "In 994, during the reign of King Songjong, Koryo was forced to acknowledged the dominance of Khitan".
7. , p. 89.
8. , p.64: "By the end of the negotiation, Sŏ Hŭi had ... ostensibly for the purpose of securing safe diplomatic passage, obtained an explicit Khitan consent to incorporate the land between the Ch’ôngch’ôn and Amnok Rivers into Koryô territory."
9. , p.102: "Until the 980s Khitan-Koryǒ relations had been at arm’s length, for the Jurchen tribes and Ting-an had provided a buffer zone between Koryǒ's northern frontier and the Liao border". p.103: "Koryǒ was left free to deal with the Jurchen tribes south of the Yalu Valley".
10. , p.106: "Even though the Goryeo court agreed to set up tribute exchanges with the Liao court, that same year [=994] it also sent an envoy to the Song court to appeal, but in vain, for military assistance against the Khitan."