Conquest of Balhae by Liao Dynasty

The conquest of Balhae in 926 CE by the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty marked the end of a kingdom that had existed in Northeast Asia since 698. Balhae, which occupied parts of present-day northeastern China, North Korea, and the Russian Far East, had maintained relative stability for over two centuries before its sudden collapse during a focused military campaign led by the Khitan ruler Abaoji (Emperor Taizu of Liao). The invasion unfolded rapidly. Khitan forces launched a coordinated attack that targeted key political and military centers of Balhae. Historical records suggest that the campaign advanced quickly, overwhelming defenses and capturing the capital, Sanggyeong (located near modern-day Ning’an in Heilongjiang Province). The speed of the conquest has been noted in historical sources, indicating that Balhae’s internal stability may have weakened prior to the invasion, though details remain limited. Following the fall of the capital in 926, the Khitan established a puppet state known as the Dongdan Kingdom, installing Balhae’s crown prince as its nominal ruler under Liao supervision. This arrangement allowed the Khitan to maintain control over former Balhae territories while incorporating them into their expanding empire. The collapse of Balhae also triggered population movements. Members of the royal family and segments of the population fled southward, with some seeking refuge in the Goryeo Kingdom. These migrations contributed to cultural and political connections between the former Balhae territories and Goryeo. The fall of Balhae reshaped the regional balance of power in Northeast Asia, ending one of the successor states to Goguryeo and expanding the influence of the Liao Dynasty across the region.