The Silla victory at Hwangsanbeol eliminated the last Baekje military resistance, directly enabling the fall of the Baekje kingdom in 660.
Key Facts
- Year
- 660 AD
- Silla troop count
- 50,000 troops
- Tang army size
- 122,711–130,000 troops
- Baekje troop count
- 5,000 troops
- Silla repulsed
- 5 times before final victory
- Outcome
- Silla victory; General Kyebaek killed in battle
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
King Uija of Baekje had weakened his kingdom through neglect of state affairs and dissipation, alienating his ministers. King Muyeol of Silla secured the military support of Tang Emperor Gaozong, enabling a massive combined Silla-Tang campaign to conquer Baekje. Facing this coalition, King Uija could muster only five thousand soldiers under General Kyebaek.
In 660, Kim Yu-sin led fifty thousand Silla troops to Hwangsanbeol to engage Kyebaek's five thousand Baekje defenders. The outnumbered Baekje forces repulsed five Silla assaults. Silla morale was restored after the martyrdom of the young Hwarang warrior Gwanchang, prompting Kim Yu-sin to order a decisive final attack. Kyebaek died in battle and the Baekje forces were defeated.
The defeat at Hwangsanbeol destroyed the last organized Baekje military resistance. Kim Yu-sin then joined Tang general Su Dingfang to besiege Gongju, and King Uija surrendered, ending the Baekje kingdom. The battle is remembered in Korean history for the heroism of General Kyebaek and the Hwarang warrior Gwanchang.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Kim Yu-sin, Su Dingfang.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kyebaek.