An Ancient Battle Where Japan Fought For Korean Independence

Over 1300 years ago, Japan attempted in vain to save the independence of an ancient Korean state.

Baekje Cultural Land (A recreation of the Baekje capital), by ‘Travel oriented from Seoul’, South Korea, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Korea and Japan have had their fair share of conflicts and tensions. Japan invaded Korea on multiple occasions over the past 500 years and occupied Korea as a colony between 1910 to 1945. It is safe to say that these neighbours are on rocky terms even at the best of times.

But what is less known is that once upon a time over a millennia ago, Japan sent a huge armada of forces to support a Korean Kingdom’s desperate last stand.

This is the story of the Battle of Baekgang (백강) or Hakusukinoe (白村江の戦い).

Prelude: The Korean Three Kingdoms

During the 7th century AD, Korea was divided into three kingdoms. Goguryeo in the north was known for its massive territory and military prowess. Silla in the south-east was a bit of an ugly duckling spending most of history in the shadow of its two superior neighbours. Baekje in the south-west had been a strong trade power dominating the trade routes between China, Korea and Japan and had become incredibly wealthy kingdom.