Namhansanseong Fortress, a film set in the Joseon War's Byeongja Horan

Namhansanseong Fortress, a film set in the Joseon War's Byeongja Horan

The Byeongjahoran  War (1636-1637)

The Byeongjahoran  War, a conflict between Joseon (Korea) and the Qing dynasty of China, lasted from December 1636 to February 1637. This war began when the Qing invaded Joseon to secure its rear before attacking the Ming dynasty. A key factor was Joseon's rejection of Qing's policy and refusal to change its allegiance from Ming to Qing. Joseon's defensive strategy, aimed at avoiding direct confrontation with Qing's powerful cavalry by consolidating forces in fortified cities, ultimately failed.

Prior to the war, Joseon was militarily weakened due to the previous Imjin War and Yi Gwal's Rebellion. Despite this, King Injo tried to reinforce the military by reorganizing various military units, including the Training Command, Chungyong and Suoh troops.

The sieges at Namhansanseong and Ganghwa Island by the Joseon army were unsuccessful. The lack of provisions and isolation at Namhansanseong and the fall of Ganghwa Island to the Qing forces led to King Injo and the court eventually surrendering.

The Byeongjahoran  War is a significant event in East Asian history, marking a period of Ming-Qing transition. It had a tremendous social impact on Joseon, with hundreds of thousands of civilians taken as war prisoners to Qing China.

 

Background of the War in Byeongjahoran

In 1627, the Later Jin (which later became the Qing dynasty) launched its first invasion of Joseon (Korea), catching the kingdom unprepared and forcing it into a fraternal pact. Subsequently, in 1628, Joseon began trading essential goods with the Later Jin at Junggang and Hweryeong, beyond the diplomatic customary gifts. However, the Later Jin violated this pact by demanding more food and warships, and by raiding villages along the Yalu River. This led to a rise in anti-Later Jin sentiment in Joseon, advocating for military action against them.

At this time, the Later Jin, having conquered most of Manchuria and reaching near Beijing, demanded that Joseon revise their pact from a fraternal agreement to a vassal relationship. They also asked for exorbitant tributes including gold, silver, and warhorses, as well as 30,000 elite troops. Joseon, resisting these demands, began considering a declaration of war against the Later Jin.

In 1636, envoys from the Later Jin arrived to inform Joseon of the Taizong Emperor's title and to offer condolences for a death in the royal family. Their insistence on a vassal relationship enraged Joseon. King Injo refused to meet the envoys and placed them under surveillance. The envoys, realizing the situation was unfavorable, fled, stealing a Joseon government document which revealed the kingdom's stance against the Later Jin.

In April of the same year, the Later Jin renamed itself the Qing dynasty, and Taizong received the title of "Guanwenrensheng Emperor". The Qing demanded hostages, including princes, from Joseon as an apology, threatening military action otherwise. Joseon's rejection of these demands led to the Qing's second invasion, marking the beginning of the Byeongjahoran War.

 

The Progress of the War in Byeongjahoran

In December 1636, Emperor Taizong of Qing led an army of 120,000, including Qing, Mongolian, and Han troops, to invade Joseon (Korea). The Qing army swiftly crossed the Yalu River, advancing towards Seoul. The Joseon court, caught off guard, retreated to Namhansanseong Fortress. The plan to flee to Ganghwa Island failed, leading to the isolation of Joseon forces in both Ganghwa and Namhansanseong.

 

Eventually, King Injo of Joseon initiated surrender negotiations with Qing. The resulting treaty subjugated Joseon to Qing, requiring hostages including princes and ministers' sons. This war inflicted severe damage on Joseon, marking a significant humiliation and resulting in Joseon severing ties with Ming and submitting to Qing. As Qing troops withdrew, they attacked Donggangjin, and Joseon, complying with the surrender terms, assisted Qing in this campaign. However, the Ming resistance eventually collapsed. This event significantly humiliated Joseon, which remained under Qing's influence until the First Sino-Japanese War.

 

As a result of the war,Byeongjahoran

After the war's conclusion, Joseon faced several post-war issues. Those responsible for the defense of Ganghwa Island were punished, and the sacrifices of officials and scholars who died in defense were honored. The relationship between Joseon and Qing solidified into a vassal-like dependency, with Joseon accepting various treaty conditions including the adoption of Qing's era name. The issue of the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Joseon people captured by Qing forces was also grave. The return of Crown Prince Sohyeon and Prince Bongrim from Qing, and their subsequent actions, significantly impacted Joseon's internal politics and society. The war left deep scars on Joseon, with its reper