Great General of the Battle of Haengju


In 1593, a fierce battle broke out between Korean forces and Japanese troops at the Haengju Fortress. Korea’s sweeping conquest in Haengju is one of the three major victories during the Japanese invasion of the Korean kingdom of Joseon in the late 16th century. The other two victories were at Hansan Island and Jinju, and were led by Admiral Yi Sun-shin and Commander Kim Si-min, respectively.

At the time, 30,000 Japanese forces surrounded the Haengju Fortress and launched as many as nine attacks. But a force of 10,000 Korean soldiers, along with many brave women, joined forces to defeat the enemy. The driving force behind this historic victory was a great military commander named Kwon Yul, who commanded Korean forces during the seven-year war with Japan.


Born in a Noble Family and Enters Government Service Late


Kwon Yul was born into a noble family. His ancestors held high-ranking government posts from generation to generation, with his grandfather serving in provincial administrator of Ganghwa and his father, Kwon Cheol(권철), assuming the post of Prime Minister. His son-in-law is renowned scholar official Yi Hang-bok(이항복).

Kwon entered government service rather late. He was 46 years old when he passed the national civil service exam in 1582, ten years before Japan invaded Korea. Afterwards, he filled various minor government posts. He briefly left public service in 1591, one year before the war, but he was appointed as mayor of Gwangju when the war broke out.

Kwon led his army to a major victory at the Battle of Ichi(이치) in Geumsan(금산), South Chungcheong Province. Along with Admiral Yi Sun-shin, Kwon played a crucial role in protecting the Jeolla Province, which was the breadbasket of the country. He was promoted to the governor of the province.

He gained another victory at the Dokseong(독성) Fortress in Suwon and then marched northward to reclaim the capital and join forces with reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty of China that were moving southward after recapturing Pyongyang.

Kwon crossed the Han River and looked for a site to set up his camp. He examined the geographical features and selected the Haengju Fortress as an ideal place for defense. Upon hearing the news, Japanese forces began to storm toward the mountain fortress.


Leading to Victory in the Battle of Haengju


The Battle of Haengju started at dawn on February 12th, 1593. The 30,000 Japanese forces, divided into seven units, advanced to attack. The Korean troops were only one-third the size of the Japanese troops.

Confronting the enemy, the Koreans battled for their lives. As the battle lasted for days, they were running out of weapons. General Kwon then ordered women to cut their long skirts and wear them like an apron to carry rocks in the shortened skirts.

The women delivered rocks in their skirts to Korean soldiers, who hurled those rocks at the enemy. Eventually the Japanese suffered defeat, with three generals killed, two others severely injured and numerous soldiers dead or wounded.

When the first Japanese invasion was over, Kwon rose to the post of commander-in-chief, in recognition of his contribution to the victory in Haengju. His troops were mostly stationed in southeastern regions. When the second invasion of Japanese forces occurred, Kwon led his army to attack the enemy in Ulsan and Suncheon(순천).


War Hero Dies after Rendering Distinguished Services


When the devastating war ended in 1599, Kwon retired from his government post and died in July of that year. He was 62.

After his death, the war hero was given the posthumous title of Prime Minister. Also, a memorial ritual was held in Haengju in commemoration of his great achievement. Kwon started his public career late in life, but without a doubt, he was an illustrious general who rendered distinguished services during a national crisis.