Battle of Cheoin

Battle of Cheoin
Part of the Mongol invasions of Korea
Date December 16, 1232 Location Yongin, South Korea Result Decisive Goryeo Victory
Belligerents
Goryeo	Mongol Empire
Commanders and leaders
Kim Yun-hu	Saritai †
Strength
100 monk soldiers 1,000 refugees	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Korean name
Hangul	처인성 전투
Hanja	處仁城 戰鬪
Revised Romanization	Cheoinseong jeontu
McCune–Reischauer	Ch'ŏinsŏng chŏnt'u

The Battle of Cheoin was a battle between Goryeo and forces of the Mongol Empire in the Korean peninsula on December 16, 1232. Although people in Cheoin had been segregated, they fought and beat the Mongols.

Background

In August 1232, the Mongol Empire started to invade Goryeo for the second time after defeating Gaegyeong and Hanyang. They advanced onto Gwangju in November but lost. Saritai, who was the Mongolian commander, decided to make a detour. He ordered the most of the army to advance to Ganghwado and he continued moving south with the rest of his army until they arrived at Cheoin. Cheoin was one of the Bugok where segregated people were living together and the earthen fortification with about 425 m circumference. Cheoin had a storage of provisions. Sartai got ready to besiege by occupying around Cheoin.

Development

There were about 1,000 refugees and 100 monk soldiers, including Kim Yun-hu. On December 16, 1232, Saritai split and allocated the forces surrounding Cheoin. People in Cheoin decided to fight against the Mongols and nominated Kim Yun-hu as a commander. The Mongol force attacked under the command of Sartai. The Goryeo force that had been waiting on a hill outside of the East gate ambushed the Mongols. Sartai was killed by a missed arrow shot by Kim Yun-hu. As the commander died, the Mongols collapsed and the Goryeo force defeated the Mongols completely.

Aftermath

The Mongol Empire was shocked by Saritai's death. Although the war had been favorable for the Mongols, the war turned in Goryeo's favor. The Mongol Empire concluded a peace treaty with Goryeo and withdrew its troops. The Goryeo government promoted Kim Yun-hu's position in admiration of his achievement, but Kim declined. Cheoin bugok was promoted to Hyeon.