 Gunsan, chosen due to its strategic location and telegraphic connection with Japan, would become a temporary naval base for the Japanese Fleet.A Flying Squadron under Rear-Admiral Tsuboi, comprising the cruisers , and , was detached from the main fleet in order to rendezvous with the cruiser "Yaeyama" and the gunboat "Ōshima", which were stationed in Chemulpo, near the island of Pungdo.Together they were to patrol the western coast and prevent the landing of Chinese reinforcements.