Silla–Tang War | |||||||
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Map of the Silla-Tang War (in Korean), with final northern border of Silla marked in dotted black line. Red lines indicate Silla attack routes; blue lines indicate Tang attack routes; explosion marks/stars indicate battles. Historically accurate place names are given. |
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Belligerents | |||||||
Silla Goguryeo (vassal of Silla) Baekje (vassal of Silla) |
Tang China | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
King Munmu Kim Yushin Geom Mojam Kim Wonsul Go Yeonmu |
Xue Rengui Gao Kan Buyeo Yung Li Jinxing |
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Strength | |||||||
~30,000 (675)(According to Korean sources) | ~200,000 (675)(According to Korean sources) |
Silla victory
The Silla–Tang War occurred in the 7th century between the Korean Silla Kingdom and its newly conquered vassals Goguryeo and Baekje (commonly referred to as Unified Silla), and the Chinese Tang dynasty that began in the geopolitical context immediately following the conquest of Goguryeo and Baekje by Silla and Tang Dynasty.
While there was no clear victor, as both sides suffered considerable losses, Silla claimed tactical victory by capturing the contested focal territory south of Taedong River.
The Silla-Tang alliance, which had defeated both the Korean kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo, resulted in the occupation of the former territories of both of these kingdoms by coalition (i.e. Silla and Tang) armies. After the fall of Goguryeo in 668 AD, the Tang Emperor created the office of Protectorate General to Pacify the East and attempted to place the entire Korean Peninsula, including its erstwhile independent ally Silla, under its rule. The Silla-Tang alliance subsequently fell apart as the Tang tried to establish dominion over the Korean Peninsula through this new office and its former ally Silla resisted these efforts.
King Munmu of Silla assembled the Silla army with the armies of the defeated kingdoms Goguryeo and Baekje in a coalition against the Tang army. He had the unenviable challenge of freeing his country and hard-won conquests (particularly the entirety of what was formerly Baekje and some of the southern portions of what was formerly Goguryeo) from Tang domination. To achieve this, Munmu forged alliances with Goguryeo resistance leaders such as Geom Mojam and Anseung, and launched attacks on the Tang forces occupying territories formerly belonging to the conquered kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo. Starting almost immediately after the fall of Goguryeo in 668 AD and the establishment of the office of Protectorate General to Pacify the East, the struggle between the former allies lasted through much of the 670s AD.