2012 Marks 1,500th Year of Subjugation of Usanguk by Silla Kingdom

2011 is coming to an end and the New Year is drawing nearer. The year 2012 reminds us of a historical figure named Isabu, a celebrated general of the Silla Dynasty. He was credited with the incorporation of the island state of Usanguk on the East Sea, which was composed of modern-day Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands, into Korean history for the first time in 512, the 13th year of the reign of Silla King Jijeung. 2012 marks the 1,500th year of the historical annexation. Today, active research is underway in South Korea to commemorate the general’s remarkable achievements.


Who is Isabu?

Isabu is widely known as a general who conquered Usanguk and added it to Silla territory but there are no historical records indicating when he was born or when he died.

According to the Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms known as Samguk Sagi, which records the stories of some 80 historical figures from the three ancient Korean kingdoms of Silla, Goguryeo and Baekje, his family name is Kim and he was the fourth generation descendent of King Naemul. The chronicles describe his leading role in subjugating Gaya Kingdom on the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula.

The general served three kings of Silla in the 6th century as a great military leader. He was a clever general who captured fortresses of neighboring states, Goguryeo and Baekje, by taking advantage of their long-drawn-out battles in 550. But Isabu’s wisdom and courage shined the most in 512.


How Did Isabu Conquer Usanguk?

In 505, the 6th year of the reign of King Jijeung, Isabu was appointed the governor of Sil-jik and Haseulla, present-day Samcheok and Gangneung, respectively, on the east coast. In June 512 on the lunar calendar, he launched the expedition to conquer Usanguk.

At the time, Silla was expanding its territory in earnest by establishing outposts in border areas. For Silla, the autonomous island state of Usanguk was a strategic foothold. Whom Usanguk would join hands with was a critical factor to determine a maritime power on the East Sea.

Suspecting that the alliance between the northern state of Goguryeo and Japan could pose a threat to Silla, Isabu concluded that it would be a supreme task to incorporate Usanguk into Silla.

The conquest was challenging, as Usanguk was far from the mainland. Even today, the rate of a successful docking of a vessel on Ulleungdo and Dokdo remains at 40 percent, due to high waves around the islands. Depending on its geographical features, Usanguk wouldn’t surrender easily. Isabu decided to use wisdom rather than military force. He brought wooden sculptures of lions and put them on his fleet. He then threatened to unleash the beasts if Usanguk refused to submit.

After Buddhism was introduced to Silla, Isabu paid attention to a lion, which was regarded as a guardian of Buddhists. He showed interest in unfamiliar animals that were never found on the Korean Peninsula as a military strategist. Usanguk residents, believing that the wooden sculptures were real lions, got frightened and immediately capitulated. They also pledged to pay tribute to Silla every year. That was the moment when Ullengdo and Dokdo islands were incorporated into Korean history.


Isabu’s Name will be Forever Remembered with Dokdo

Silla continued to expand its territory, advancing to the Han River basin. Isabu, who took the initiative in his nation’s territorial expansion, assumed a supreme military post in 541. He later assisted his nation in annexing Daegaya, thus gaining total control of the lower reaches of the Nakdong River in the southeastern part of Korea and eventually paving the way for the unification of the three kingdoms.

A stele depicting his accomplishments of expanding Silla’s territory around 549 is erected in Danyang, North Chungcheong Province. In addition to laying the groundwork for unifying the three kingdoms, Isabu incorporated Ulleungdo, formerly called Usanguk, into Silla to present the first historical evidence that the neighboring Dokdo Island was Korean territory. His feat is tremendously valuable and is certainly something to be proud of.