Goryeo-Khitan War

In this episode, we focus squarely on the Goryeo-Khitan Wars, breaking down how the Goryeo dynasty fought off repeated invasions by the Liao dynasty through a mix of battlefield tactics and hard-edged diplomacy. This episode walks through the major campaigns, including the decisive 1019 conflict led by Kang Kam-chan, showing how Goryeo leveraged terrain, fortified defenses, and strategic deception to secure its sovereignty. We explain how victory in the Goryeo-Khitan Wars stabilized the state, opened the door to political consolidation and economic growth, and set the conditions for Goryeo’s later cultural achievements, firmly establishing the dynasty as a durable power in East Asia.