Siege of Pyongyang (1593)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Siege of Pyongyang


caption=
partof=the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598)
date=January 1593
place= Pyongyang city
result=Korean and Chinese allied forces victory
combatant1= Japanese army
combatant2= Korean army and Ming allies.
commander1=Konishi Yukinaga
commander2=Li Rusong Yu Seong-ryong Li Rubo Song Yicheng
strength1=42,000
strength2=43,000
casualties1=16,000
casualties2=Approximately 800 deaths
campaign=|

The siege of Pyongyang was a battle fought between the Ming-Korea alliance and Japanese forces during Japanese invasions of Korea. The Ming army crossed the Yalu river and after a number of small engagements with the Japanese, arrived at the walls of Pyongyang where they met with Joseon forces. A Japanese attack on the encampment of Li Rusong's brother, Li Rubo, was defeated. Early the next day, Li Rusong ordered the Korean armies to assault the eastern walls. Meanwhile, Li's forces bombarded the other walls with cannon and launched many thousands of fire-arrows into the city.

After a fierce battle, the ferocious assault of the Korean army at the east of the city was repulsed by the Japanese defenders. Then, the Ming army under Li Rusong and his brother launched a major attack on the western wall, the fighting was so intense that Li's horse was shot from underneath him. After beating off the defenders, Chinese forces used giant ladders to enter the city, after which a confined, bloody street battle raged between the two armies.

Encircled, Konishi attempted to break out of the city, but the artillery of a Ming army under Song Yichang forced him to turn back. Konishi then planned to retreat to the southwest, where an army he believed to be Korean was stationed. However, they revealed themselves to be Ming troops, which was said to have greatly shocked the Japanese forces. Although he lost the battle, Konishi managed to retreat south with his remaining men. During the retreat, Konishi's army was ambushed when crossing a river. Ming cannon inflicted heavy causalities. The one-day war caused 30 percent causalities.

This battle was probably the largest war using artillery and cannons in the 16th century. Both armies used the state of arts firearms and cannons.

See also

* List of castles in Korea