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The Battle of Unju led by King Wang Geon of Koryo dynasty and Geungjun’s Role

Kim, Myeongjin 1

1경북대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study is summarized as follows. First, before the tenth century, there had been a special administrative region so called "Haepoong Hyang" which was located in Hongseong-eup, Chungnam as its center. It emerged as the remarkable name of Unju during the war for unification waged by Wang Geon. Unju could gain held such an important place as a border region due thanks to Geungjun, a man of influence there. Second, Geungjun, as a general and castellan of Unju, had been independent during the turmoil toward the end of the Kingdom of Shilla before coming under the supervision of Gung Ye. But he subjugated himself to Hubaekjei in August 918 as Wang Geon had toppled Gung Ye and come to the throne in the June of 918. After defeated by Wang Geon’s Goryeo forces at the first Battle of Unju in March 927, however, Geungjun subjugated himself to Wang Geon. To our surprise, he was the same person as Honggyu, who was the father of queen of Heungbokwon, Wang Geon’s twelfth wife. And the Castle of Unju was the origin of Hongju Eup-Sung located in what is now Hongseong-eup. Third, in April 928, Wang Geon ordered to build up a the castle called Baekwol Fortress in Oksan, Unju. But sometime later, Unju became under Hubaekje’s control. Wang Geon embarked on a conquest into Unju in September 934. His cavalry, supported by Geungjun, won a great victory in the second Battle of Unju over Hubaekje’s armor-clad forces under Gyeon Hwon. Wang Geon’s victory here led to over 30 castles north of Woongjin surrendering to Goryeo. The defeat of Gyeon Hwon led to the downfall of Hubaekje.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.