Volta
Politics30 April – 22 June 1592(Lunar)

King Seonjo Flees North

Also called: Seonjo’s flight

At news of the defeat at Chungju, King Seonjo left Hanyang in the rain before dawn on the 30th. He went by Gaeseong and Pyongyang to Uiju on the Yalu and asked Ming for help.

When word of Tangeumdae arrived, the court argued over whether to hold the capital or leave. On the 29th Seonjo named his second son Gwanghaegun crown prince, and before dawn on the 30th he rode out of the West Gate in the rain. Ryu Seong-ryong’s Jingbirok records the people blocking the road and wailing.

The king reached Gaeseong on the first of the fifth month and Pyongyang on the 7th. When the Japanese reached the Taedong he left again on the 11th of the sixth month and arrived at Uiju on the 22nd. He even spoke of crossing the Yalu into Ming, but his ministers dissuaded him. Gwanghaegun led a branch court through Gangwon and Hwanghae, rallying troops and militias.

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States and rulers at the time
Joseon · invaded — Seonjo
Places
Hanyang, Pyongyang Fortress, Uiju

People

  • King Seonjo1552 – 1608

    monarch · Fourteenth king of Joseon; fled to Uiju and asked Ming for help

  • Gwanghaegun1575 – 1641

    participant · Fifteenth king of Joseon who began the Daedong law and balanced Ming and the Later Jin; deposed in 1623

  • Ryu Seong-ryong1542 – 1607

    participant · Chief State Councillor who directed the war effort during the Imjin War, proposed the Hullyeon Dogam, and wrote the Jingbirok

Before and after

Earlier
1592 Battle of Tangeumdae
Later
1592 Fall of Hanyang