Hamgyeong campaign | ||||||||
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Part of Imjin War | ||||||||
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Belligerents | ||||||||
Japan | Joseon | Orangai (Jurchens) | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
Katō Kiyomasa Nabeshima Naoshige | Han Gukham (POW) | ? | ||||||
Strength | ||||||||
20,000[1] 3,000 Korean defectors[2] | ? | ~10,000[2] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | ||||||||
? | ? | ? |
The Hamgyong campaign, also known as Katō Kiyomasa's northern campaign, was Katō Kiyomasa's invasion of the northeastern Korean province of Hamgyeong during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598). The campaign was largely due to the help of Korean defectors who also handed over to the Japanese their princes Sunhwa and Imhae. The Japanese reached the northeastern edge of Hamgyeong, crossed the Duman River, and attacked the Orangai Jurchens, but met with heavy resistance. Katō returned south and took up residence in Anbyeon while Nabeshima Naoshige headquartered in Gilju. By winter local resistance began pushing back at Japanese occupation and laid siege to Gilju.[3]