행주산성

Kwon Yul ,
a great general with an unyielding spirit and great dignity who shined through overwhelming hardships

Kwon Yul (1537-1599)

When the Imjin War broke out in April 1592, King Seonjo, the 14th king of Joseon, appointed Kwon Yul, who had passed the civil service examination at the late age of 46, as the governor of Gwangju to take command of the army. At the time, the government considered Honam and Yeongnam to be no different from places to go to die, but Kwon Yul declared that the state affairs were urgent and that it was time for him to die as a subject. He left without any delay and won great victories at the Battle of Ichi and the Battle of Dokseongsanseong. After dealing a significant blow to Japan with a series of victories, Kwon Yul built a defensive line in the Jeolla region and secured control over the Gyeonggi region. Finally, he set out to recapture the capital city of Hanyang, setting up a stronghold at Haengjusanseong Fortress.

“The isolated army has ventured deep and suddenly encountered the enemy, and their forces cannot match each other. If one does not sacrifice one’s life, there is no way to repay the country.”
He admonished all the generals and strictly disciplined the soldiers to hold their positions and wait with their bows drawn...
... Kwon Yul personally went around with water and gruel to relieve the soldiers' thirst.
- Yeonryeosilgisul Volume 16, The Victory of Haengju by Kwon Yul -

Kwon Yul, while moving across the battlefield, gave water and gruel to the exhausted soldiers, quenching their thirst. Meanwhile, when he discovered a soldier running away during the battle, he beheaded him and personally led the charge at the front, boosting the morale of the Joseon army. At the center of the Battle of Haengju, where only around 2,300 soldiers fought seven battles against an enemy force ten times their size and won all seven battles, was a great commander. It was thanks to Kwon Yul, who was able to achieve a monumental victory of seven victories out of seven battles because he had the spirit and loyalty of a general, as well as the strictness and generosity to lead people.