Gojong of Goryeo vs Gyeon Hwon

Mongol forces under General Sartaq invaded Goryeo, capturing Kaesong and forcing King Gojong to flee to Ganghwa Island. The invasion devastated the countryside and led to a tributary agreement that was soon broken.

King Gojong moved the royal court and government to Ganghwa Island to resist Mongol demands for submission. The island's natural defenses allowed Goryeo to continue resistance for nearly 30 years.

Under Gojong's patronage, the Buddhist canon was carved onto over 80,000 woodblocks to invoke divine protection against the Mongols. The Tripitaka Koreana remains one of the most complete and accurate versions of the Buddhist scriptures.

After decades of war, King Gojong agreed to submit to the Mongol Empire, sending his son (future King Wonjong) as a hostage. The peace treaty ended the invasions but made Goryeo a vassal state of the Mongols.

Gyeon Hwon, a former Silla general, led a rebellion and established the kingdom of Later Baekje in southwestern Korea. He declared himself king, reviving the name of the ancient Baekje kingdom and initiating the Later Three Kingdoms period.

Gyeon Hwon's forces were defeated by the Goryeo army under King Taejo at Gochang. This battle marked a turning point in the Later Three Kingdoms period, weakening Later Baekje and strengthening Goryeo's position.

Gyeon Hwon was deposed by his son, Gyeon Singeom, who seized the throne in a coup. The rebellion was fueled by Gyeon Hwon's favoritism toward his youngest son, leading to internal strife within Later Baekje.

After being deposed, Gyeon Hwon defected to Goryeo and was welcomed by King Taejo. He provided military intelligence and assistance to Goryeo, contributing to the eventual conquest of Later Baekje in 936.

Gyeon Hwon died in Goryeo shortly after the fall of Later Baekje. His death marked the end of the Later Three Kingdoms period and the unification of Korea under Goryeo.