Battle of Jwawon

The Battle of Jwawon was a battle between the forces of the Han's Xuantu Commandery and Goguryeo. It resulted in a victory under the command of Myeongnim Dap-bu during the 26th year of the reign of King Sindae, the 8th ruler of Goguryeo.

The coup d'etat of 165
In 165, the news of the death of Goguryeo's 7th king spread throughout the land. The man responsible for the death of the king was Myeongnim Dap-bu, a Joui seonin and court official. Myeongnim Dap-Bu invited the dead ruler's youngest and only surviving brother, Prince Go Baek-gu, to the kingdom's capital to become the next ruler of Goguryeo.

The Prince became Goguryeo's 8th King Sindae, during that year. This coup was the first successful military revolt in Goguryeo's history. Myeongnim Dap-Bu was given the position of Guksang (국상, 國相, Prime Minister), and became the first Prime Minister of Goguryeo. Myeongnim Dap-Bu was never recorded to have abused his position, but strengthened the nation's strength economically, politically, and militarily. Meanwhile, the Han Empire assembled a large army and prepared to invade Goguryeo in the year 172.

The Battle of Jwa-Won
In 169 AD, Xuantu governor Geng Lin invaded Goguryeo, killing hundreds. Goguryeo submitted to the rule of Liaodong Commandery.

According to Samguk Sagi, in 172 AD, Geng Lin led another military campaign against Goguryeo. In preparation for the invasion, Myeongnim Dap-Bu filled in the local wells, and made sure that the surrounding land could yield no food supply to the enemy forces. In addition, a moat was made, and many lines of defense were made outside of Goguryeo's capital, Guknae Fortress, at a place called Jwa-Won. The Goguryeo forces retreated into the fortress, and protected it upon the arrival of the enemy troops. After days of siege, the Han army was exhausted, and began to retreat. Myeongnim Dap-bu took advantage of the enemy's retreat and ambushed the Han army as they were beginning to retreat.

The 172 campaign, the battle of Jwa-Won, was not recorded in the Book of the Later Han or the Records of the Three Kingdoms, while the 169 campaign was documented. The battle of Jwa-Won only appears in Samguk Sagi. The Records of the Three Kingdoms only state that sometime around 175 AD, King Sindae asked to be governed by Xuantu Commandery.