Revealing the truth, facts, and hidden stories about the long war between Goryeo and Khitan!!
A unique book that makes history read like a novel, with rich illustrations that make you feel as if you were watching a drama, and maps that enhance your understanding of the geographical elements and battle situations of the time!

Seo Hee of Goryeo, who was active during the first invasion of the Khitan (993), is known to have been a master of negotiation. “When So Sun-ning of the Khitan invaded Goryeo, Seo Hee negotiated and persuaded So Sun-ning to retreat.”
But isn't it strange? Is peace, achieved only through words, truly possible? Let's revisit this scene, drawing on historical records.
If we look at the actual situation at the time, we can see that Seohee moved his troops appropriately to block the advance of the Khitan army.
So even if there had been no negotiations, the Khitan army would have retreated.
The ‘negotiation’ between Seohee and Sosonnyeong was to determine the conditions for peace after the war, and it was not because of the negotiation that Sosonnyeong retreated.


Afterwards, King Seongjong of Khitan invaded Goryeo with an army of 400,000 men, using the 'Gangjo Coup' as an excuse, and Goryeo's capital, Gaeseong, fell.
This is the second invasion of the Khitans (1010).
The key figures active in Goryeo at this time were Yang Gyu and Kim Suk-heung.
The scene where they faced 400,000 Khitan soldiers with only 2,000 soldiers is still dazzling to watch.
But there is a question.
How did King Hyeonjong accept Gang Gam-chan's proposal to resist despite the opposition of many of his subjects?
What was the strategy?
On the other hand, why did the Khitan, who had lost almost everything including horses, camels, and weapons and were in a situation that was practically no different from defeat, invade Goryeo again? (The Khitan invaded Goryeo a total of seven times after that.)
What was the international situation surrounding Goryeo at the time that allowed the Khitan to continue invading a country for such a long time?
Was it only Gang Gam-chan who led Goryeo to victory in the Battle of Guju (1018-1019)?
There are more than a few questions worth pondering about the bitter war that took place between Goryeo and Khitan.
This book was written to address this very question and to inform the public of the facts that are either incorrect or unknown, as well as the true facts, about the Goryeo-Khitan War.


The war between Goryeo and Khitan has not been studied in depth due to a lack of historical materials.
Of course, this limitation also applies to the entire history of Goryeo. Although there are many works of various genres related to Joseon history, works based on Goryeo history are relatively scarce.
To overcome this limitation, the author of this book steadily studied the History of Goryeo, the History of Liao, and the History of Song to understand the situation of the time, and in order to break the prejudice of readers who often say that history books are “difficult to read,” he provided several devices that make the content more interesting while remaining faithful to historical facts.
First, 'dialogue' was used as an element to increase the comprehension of key scenes and increase the reader's sense of familiarity.
Second, the dramatic content was presented in the form of illustrations, making it as enjoyable as watching a video.
Third, we have carefully drawn maps that allow for a thorough understanding of the contemporary situation, political landscape, and battle routes.
I confidently recommend to you the masterpiece, "The Goryeo-Khitan War," a very special and fascinating historical textbook of the genre, which took 14 years to compose while remaining faithful to historical facts and not losing interest.

During this period, the Khitan and Later Jin were gradually showing signs of division.
In June 942, Seok Gyeong-dang died and his nephew Seok Jung-gui succeeded to the throne.
Seok Jung-Gwi declared independence from the Khitan.
Then, Emperor Taizong of Khitan thinks of attacking Later Jin.
Emperor Taizong of Khitan, who planned to subdue the Later Jin, wanted to establish friendly relations with Goryeo to ensure stability in the rear.
In this situation, Wang Geon did not just sit back and watch, but chose to participate in the war.
He took action that was tantamount to declaring war on the Khitans, saying the following:
“The Khitan had previously been on friendly terms with Balhae, but suddenly grew suspicious, broke the covenant, and destroyed it. It is a very lawless country that cannot be treated as a neighbor and made peace with it.” After making this declaration, Wang Geon exiled 30 Khitan envoys to an island and tied their camels under the Manbu Bridge to starve to death.
It was a declaration to all nations of their intention to be hostile to the Khitans.
Wang Geon's intentions were clear.
He declared that he would reclaim the old Goguryeo territory even through war with the Khitans.
---From the "Manbugyo Incident"

As the confrontation between them continues, Sosonnyeong speaks to Seohee first.
“Our country has already taken over all of Goguryeo’s former territory, but now your country has invaded our borders, so I have come to punish you.
Seohee didn't send a separate reply because it was nothing more than a threat.
When Seohee didn't respond, Sosonnyeong sent another letter.
“Our country has unified the world, but you have not yet surrendered, so we have decided to wipe you out.
“Don’t delay and surrender quickly!” Seohee felt something strange upon hearing Sosonnyeong’s words.
They were only making verbal threats without going any further south.
Seohee thought about the overall situation.
The Khitan and Song dynasties were in a state of confrontation, and the Khitan had not yet conquered all of Liaodong.
Yet, he crossed the Yalu River and came to Goryeo territory.
Seohee finally made a decision.
“The Khitan army feels burdened by the southward advance.
If so, then... Seohee returned to Anbukbu and immediately sent a letter to King Seongjong, who was in Seogyeong, reporting.
“This is a situation where reconciliation is possible.”
---From "The Threat of Sosonnyeong and Seohee's Judgment"

So, when a child is born between Kimchiyang and Empress Dowager Cheonchu, she has a bold idea.
The idea was to make the child born between himself and Kimchi Yang the successor of King Mokjong and the next king.
It was a tremendous idea that could be called a revolution, but it was not necessarily impossible.
Empress Dowager Cheonchu was acting as regent, so she was effectively the king, and Kim Chi-yang was the most powerful person in power.
There was nothing they couldn't do if they put their minds to it.
A de facto revolution would face strong opposition.
However, there is a way to significantly reduce the backlash.
If there is no royal heir to the throne, the backlash will definitely decrease.
At that time, there were only a few Wang men who inherited the blood of Taejo Wang Geon.
According to records, in addition to Wang Sun, there were also grandsons of King Taejo Wang Geon named Wang Rim and Wang Jeong.
However, Wangrim and Wangjeong's father, Dongyanggun, was executed for treason during the reign of King Gwangjong.
So, they lived in hiding among the people, wearing the stigma of being the children of traitors.
In that case, there was only one person from the Wang clan who could ascend to the throne after King Mokjong, Wang Sun.
For this reason, Empress Dowager Cheonchu begins to dislike Wang Sun.
---From "Leaving Home"

After Jo-jang had Wang-sun come to visit, he sent a letter to Mok-jong.
“His Majesty is seriously ill and has not yet appointed a successor, so evil men are plotting to take the throne.
So, they are trying to establish a justification by welcoming the Great Reinforcement Army into the palace.
Your Majesty, please go outside the palace for now.
“After we have eliminated the wicked group, we will bring back the Holy Spirit.” (…) The next day, after Kang Jo sent a letter to King Mokjong, the advance party led by Lee Hyeon-un finally entered the city of Gaegyeong.
As the king's troops entered the palace, King Mokjong realized that everything was over.
At this time, King Mokjong and Empress Dowager Cheonchu were together.
It is said that the two, knowing that they would not be able to avoid trouble, looked up to the sky and cried out loud.
King Mokjong left the palace and resided at Beopwangsa Temple.
Soon after, Wang Sun, the great general, arrived at the palace, and Wang Sun finally ascended to the throne at the Yeonchongjeon.
The great general Wang Sun is King Hyeonjong.
He deposed King Mokjong and ordered his soldiers to arrest those close to King Mokjong and Empress Dowager Cheonchu.
And seven people, including Yoo Hyang-gan and Kimchi-yang, were executed.
---From “Hyeonjong’s Ascension to the Throne and Mokjong’s Fate”

The person in charge of the northwestern region, the shield of Goryeo, was Yang Gyu, the northwestern region patrol inspector.
Yang Gyu was from An-ak County (An-ak County, Hwanghae Province), but his detailed personal information is unknown.
The fact that the Goryeo court appointed Yang Gyu as the inspector general of the northwestern frontier to counter the large-scale invasion of the Khitan means that they highly regarded his military talent.
(…) Since there are no remaining records, the size of the troops led by Yang Gyu cannot be known in detail.
However, if we estimate based on the 『History of Goryeo』, the number of troops permanently stationed at Heunghwajin would have been around 2,000 marching soldiers and 1,000 Baekjeong.
Since Heunghwajin was the front line, there would have been some additional reinforcements.
This is the background to the estimation that the number of troops led by Yang Gyu in Heunghwajin was around 4,000 to 5,000.
Goryeo had prepared three operations in preparation for this invasion by the Khitan army.
The Khitan army crossed the Yalu River in early November and surrounded Heunghwajin on November 16.
Then, the Goryeo army carried out its first operation.
The plan was to attack the flank of the Khitan army crossing the Yalu River by going around the inland of Susa.
The operation was led by Commander-in-Chief Choi Sa-wi.
On November 17, General Choi Sa-wi divided his troops and marched along three routes north of Guju to attack the Khitan army crossing the Yalu River.
It was a timely surprise attack, and if it had succeeded, the war would have ended.
---From "Wu-seong Yang-gyu, stationed at Heunghwajin"

An old official of small stature was staring intently at King Hyeonjong among the officials who were advocating surrender.
He seemed to be thinking about something when he saw Hyeonjong.
Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he stepped forward.
“Shin Kang Gam-chan, I have something to say!” Kang Gam-chan, 63 years old, Minister of Rites.
Gang Gam-chan passed the civil service examination in the second year of King Seongjong's reign (983) and held office for 27 years.
Kang Gam-chan was a man who left many legends among the people for his ‘strange tricks and means’ and was known as a natural strategist, but until then he was not a particularly outstanding person.
He was just an ordinary bureaucrat.
But when a national crisis struck, his strength and extraordinary courage began to shine.
Kang Gam-chan spoke in a booming voice.
“There is no need to worry about things now.
“Our forces are too small to deal with the enemy, so we must first buy time by avoiding their advance,” said King Hyeonjong.
“Can we defeat the Khitan army by buying time?” Kang Gam-chan said forcefully.
“After buying time, we must slowly find a way to win.” Hyeonjong looked at Kang Gam-chan carefully.
Hyeonjong's eyes were shining brightly.
Kang Gam-chan, who received that gaze, spoke again.
“Let’s go south and escape.”
---From "How to Win Slowly"

The Savior Army was lined up inside the Savior Castle.
Their commander, Kim Sook-heung, the commander of the Savior Villa, gave orders to the soldiers.
“The enemy will arrive here soon.
“We will destroy them!” A long line of people was moving along the mountain path.
It was the vanguard of the Khitan army that began the retreat.
However, they were escaping by using the mountain path to the north to avoid Goryeo's castle walls.
The narrow road was covered in snow, which held back the marching Khitan soldiers.
Winter temperatures in the northwestern part of the Korean Peninsula usually range from -10 to -20 degrees Celsius, and the perceived temperature can drop to -50 degrees Celsius.
The winding mountain paths, along with the cold, were another battle for the Khitan army.
On January 17, the vanguard of the Khitan army arrived north of Guju.
White breath was continuously pouring out from the mouths of those who had been running without stopping.
The northern part of the country is very steep and narrow, making it one of the most rugged areas in the inland region.
The Khitan army had no choice but to march in single file along the narrow road.
By using a limited single route, the march formation became longer and changing direction was not easy.
This is the perfect situation to be taken by surprise.
Then arrows and stones rained down on the heads of the Khitan army.
“Slaughter the enemies! Don’t let a single one live!” These were the Savior Army led by Savior Commander Kim Sook-heung and Jungrang Commander Boryang.
---From "Battle of the Savior Valley and Murodae Raid"

Tens of thousands of Goryeo soldiers lost their lives in the war against Yelü Seliang.
There was an urgent need to replenish the troops.
King Hyeonjong wanted to fill the vacancy by releasing prisoners.
“Among all the prisoners in the country, those who are sentenced to imprisonment or exile or less severe punishment will be released upon bond, and the trial procedures will be carried out quickly.” At this time, Gang Gam-chan was appointed Minister of Personnel.
The Ministry of Personnel was the highest of the six ministries and was in charge of personnel affairs for government officials.
Kang Gam-chan said to Hyeonjong.
“I wish to give 12 gyeols of God’s land to the soldiers.” Gang Gam-chan took the lead and gave his own property to the soldiers to boost their morale.
And build the Iron Fortress on the northwest side.
Cheoljuseong is now Seorimseong
It is estimated that it was located slightly different from other castles.
The fortresses of Heunghwajin, Guju, Tongju, and Gwakju can all be considered mountain fortresses.
However, Cheolju Castle was not an ordinary mountain castle.
It was piled up on top of the main road, completely blocking the road.
---From "Preparing for War Again"

There was a brief lull in the fighting.
Both the Goryeo and Khitan armies were breathing lightly.
Combat was an act that exhausted a person's physical strength to the limit.
It was a close battle, but the Khitan army, which had the advantage of wind direction, was on the offensive, while the Goryeo army was on the defensive.
However, most of the Goryeo soldiers had lost their families or friends to the Khitan army.
They could not and did not collapse easily.
Unlike the previous two battles, the Khitan army was on equal footing.
That was when.
The flags began to wave northward for a moment.
The wind direction changed and suddenly a south wind started blowing.
In addition, rain clouds were gathering from the south.
But beneath those clouds, there was a flag.
The clouds seemed to be coming as if they were caught on the tip of the flag.
Soldiers gradually appear, led by the flag.
Kim Jong-hyeon and 10,000 elite troops who had gone to escort Gaegyeong had arrived.
They were entering the battlefield of Savior with the wind and rain.
At this time, to the eyes of Gang Gam-chan and the Goryeo soldiers, it must have seemed as if Kim Jong-hyeon and his army were bringing a storm.
---From "The Man Who Brings the Wind"

The balance of the tight match was now slowly tilting towards Goryeo.
Finally, the Khitan army's camp collapsed and the Khitan soldiers began to flee in disorder.
So Bae-ap tried to control the situation by giving orders, but the storm of defeat had already swept through the Khitan army.
There was nothing the pressure could do.
The small force discarded both armor and weapons.
Armor was useless in a retreat.
The commander-in-chief of the Khitan army, So Bae-ap, left the battlefield.
The Khitan army rushed north without a plan.
The Goryeo army pursued and killed the Khitan army.
The weapons and armor that the Khitan had abandoned as they fled were blocking the way, but the Goryeo army pursued the Khitan army relentlessly.
100,000 Khitan troops were mostly killed or captured in this battle.
Only a few thousand people returned safely to Khitan.
It was the first time in Khitan history that the Khitan army suffered such a crushing defeat.
From Goryeo's perspective, it was a great victory that more than avenged all of its previous defeats.

---From "Total Attack"