“Fight of Warriors”: 33 of the Brave, the Virtuous, and the Wise

Warriors Who Changed the National History

Written by Hawng Won-gap

655 Pages 23,000 Won

Indie Book

The book, based on facts confirmed through field trips for data and research, tells stories of 33 warriors from Korean history who changed the scenes of battles. The writing is full of energy and clarity, and the battlefield pictures and portraits entertain the readers even more. The record of victories when faced against a strong enemy is particularly realistic.

“The demise of Su Dynasty was because they were severely defeated four times when they attempted to invade Goguryeo. Emperor Yang of Su Dynasty organized a 1,130,000-soldier expeditionary force in January 610, the biggest expeditionary force ever in Chinese history until then, and invaded Goguryeo which refused to become subjugated to China. However, it did not even succeed to take over Yodong Castle for six months. Emperor Yang gave 300,000 soldiers to Woo Moon-sul, a very close aide of his, and had him attack Pyongyang Castle himself, which was totally defeated by General Euljimoonduk. Euljimoonduk probed the camps of Woo Moon-sul under the pretext of surrender and intentionally lost the battles in an effort to induce the enemy to deeper lands. As the supply route of Su force was lengthened, Goguryeo took on the “empty field” tactic in which entire towns were emptied of food. The Su soldiers suffered with exhaustion and hunger. Only 2,700 soldiers returned alive, and Woo Moon-sul ended up in chains. Soon after it, Emperor Yang was assassinated by the son of Woo, and the Su dynasty went down the road of its downfall.

The book refreshes the readers with famous national heroes such as Yeongaesomun, Kim Yu-shin, Gye Baek, Choi Young, Kwon Yul, and Lee Soon-shin as well as the unknown warriors and their lifetime stories and achievements. They are Bubunno and Myeongnimdapbu who formed the foundation of a huge empire in early Goguryeo, Seokwooro and Kim Isaboo who led the leap age of Shilla, a kingdom of a millennia, Kim Munno who was the godfather of Hwarang, Balhae Expeditionary Force Commander Chang Moon-hue who took on a thunder-like surprise attack on Tang force, “Sturdy Warrior” Kang Jo of Goryeo who refused to surrender until death even though he became a war prisoner to Georan, and others.

The stories of a warrior’s loyalty impress us as much as does the stories of their victories. The story of Shin Seung-gyom during the formation of Goryeo is a good example.

Shin Seung-gyom, who was originally called Neungsan, demonstrates his god-given skills of archery by the order of Wang Gun, the father of the Goryeo dynasty. He realized the order to “hit the left wing of the third goose among the flying geese over there.” Wang Gun was impressed and bestowed Shin with the land area, Pyeongsan, where the geese were flying over, and that is how the family line of Shin of Pyeongsan originated. Later, when Late-Baekje forces attacked and Wang Gun’s life was in peril, Shin changed his clothes with Wang Gun and fought in the war. Eventually, Wang Gun survived, but Shin was found with his head cut off. He was a great example of a brave and loyal warrior.

The author Hwang Won-gap, 60, is a novelist and journalist. He is also a biographer and historian who published his first book, “Journal of Historical Figures,” in 1988 and continues his great work on writing enjoyable and readable history books including “Women Who Changed Korean history.”

Ki-Tae Kwon kkt@donga.com