First Manchu invasion of Korea
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 History of Korea |
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The First Manchu invasion of Korea occurred in 1627, when Hong Taiji led the Manchu army against Korea's Joseon dynasty. It was followed by the Second Manchu invasion of Korea.
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[edit] Background
Joseon helped Ming China with 10,000 soldiers when she attacked Manchus' Later Jin under Nurhaci in 1619, but Korean General Gang Hong-rip surrendered to Nurhaci. Gang insisted that Korea did not hold anything against the Manchus and that she sent reinforcements only to repay an obligation to Ming. Nurhaci and his son Daišan were not interested in conquering Korea either. This antiwar policy lasted until Nurhaci's death.
In Korea the Westerners faction deposed the realist king Gwanghaegun and installed King Injo in 1623. This faction took explicit pro-Ming, anti-Manchu policies. In addition, Ming Mobile Corps Commander Mao Wenlong engaged in guerrilla warfare, based in an island off Korean peninsula.
The first Manchu expedition was triggered by Yi Gwal's rebellion against King Injo in 1624. The revolt was soon crushed but remnants fled to Manchuria. They recommended Hong Taiji to invade Korea.
[edit] War
In 1627, Huang Taiji dispatched Amin, Jirgalang, Ajige and Yoto to Korea guided by Gang Hong-rip and other Koreans. The Korean army was ill-prepared for defence against Manchu one, still not recovered from Seven-Year War against Japan. The Manchus managed to march deep within Korean territory. They also defeated Mao Wenlong's troops but failed to capture the commander. When the Manchus advanced southward to Hwangju, King Injo fled from Hanseong (Seoul) to Ganghwa Island in panic.
Despite the dominant situation, the Manchus pushed peace negotiations, probably because Hong Taiji was concerned about the home defence. They offered peace to Korea, which was soon accepted, despite the opposition of some anti-Manchu statesmen who failed to appreciate the strong position of Manchus. The following settlement was agreed upon in Ganghwa Island:
- Korea abandons the Ming era name Tianqi (天啓).
- Korea offers Yi Gak as a hostage as a substitute for a royal prince.
- (Later) Jin and Korea will not violate each other's territory.
In the meantime, Amin in Pyongyang looted the city for days, before he was ordered by Hang Taji to sign the peace agreement. This agreement was more favorable to the Manchus. After the four month expedition, the Manchu army withdrew to Mukden.
[edit] Aftermath
The two sides conducted postwar negotiations. The Manchus forced Korea to open markets near the borders because the long conflict with Ming brought economic hardship to the Manchus. Korea also returned the Warka tribe to Later Jin. The Manchus regularly exacted tribute from Korea.
The relationship between Joseon and Later Jin remained uncomfortable and bleak. While the first invasion was not as catastrophic to Korea as the second, nine years later, would be, it was bitterly resented by Confucian statesmen and scholars who believed that it was treacherous for Korea to abandon Ming China after the Chinese assistance against Japan during the Seven-Year War. This resentment was inflamed when in 1636 the Manchus demanded to change the terms of diplomatic relationship from equality to Suzerainty-Tributary. The Korean Court, dominated by anti-Manchu hawks, rejected the demand. This led to the second Manchu invasion of Korea in 1636.
