Battle of Ugeumchi

Battle of Ugeumchi
Part of Donghak Peasant Revolution

Painting of the Battle of Ugeumchi
Date22 October to 10 November 1894
Location
Ugeumchi, Gongju, Korea
Result Alliances victory
Belligerents

Kingdom of Joseon

 Empire of Japan

Donghak Peasant Army
Commanders and leaders
Korea Shin Jeong-hui
Heo Jin
Yi Du-hwang
Yi Gyu-tae
Yi Gi-dong
Jo Byeong-hwan
Minami
Morio Masaichi
Jeon Bong-jun
Son Byeong-hui
Strength

Korea 3,000 Joseon Army
Japanese Army 400

  • 810 Joseon troops engaged
  • 120 Japanese troops engaged
Approximately 40,000
50 Qing soldiers
Casualties and losses
Minimal 500 remained

The Battle of Ugeumchi (Korean우금치전투; Hanja牛金峙戰鬪) took place in the Ugeumchi area, from October 23 to November 11, 1894 (31st year of Emperor Gojong). It was a conflict between different factions, including the Donghak peasant army, the Capital Guards Command (Chingunyeong (친군영)) consisting of the Palace Guards (Gyeongricheong), Royal Escort Palace Guards (Jangwiyeong), and the Metropolitan Guards (Tongwiyeong), and the new well-trained Japanese-style Military Training Division (Hullyeondae), which were the elite forces of the Joseon government equipped with modern weapons and tactics. Despite the overwhelming numerical advantage of the peasant army, they were unable to break through the defensive line of the suppressing forces, who had superior weapons and tactics. The defeat in Ugeumchi led to the rapid disintegration of the peasant army and the loss of momentum in the Donghak Peasant Revolution.[1]

  1. ^ "사적 제387호 공주 우금치 전적 (公州 牛禁峙 戰蹟)" (in Korean). Cultural Heritage Administration. July 28, 2011.