Battle of Geumsan

Overview

The Battle of Geumsan was two engagements fought in 1592 against the unit of Kobayakawa Takakage of the Japanese Sixth Army, which had occupied Geumsan (present-day Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province) in Jeolla Province.

• First battle (7th lunar month, 9–10th; August 15–16, Gregorian): Go Gyeong-myeong, a righteous army leader from Jeolla Province, attacked Geumsan Fortress together with the government troops of Defense Commander Kwak Yeong. They were defeated, and Go Gyeong-myeong was killed along with his second son Go In-hu and others.
• Second battle (8th lunar month, 18th; September 23, Gregorian): Jo Heon, who had retaken Cheongju Fortress, and the monk commander Yeong-gyu led about 700 righteous army and monk soldiers in an attack on the Japanese forces in Geumsan, and all were killed. The mound holding their remains is the Chilbaek Euichong (Tomb of the Seven Hundred Righteous) in Geumsan.

Background

Geumsan was a base the Japanese army occupied on the 23rd day of the 6th lunar month in order to advance into Jeolla Province. Even after being blocked at Ungchi and Ichi, the Japanese army remained in Geumsan and threatened Jeolla Province. Go Gyeong-myeong, who had raised a righteous army in Damyang, led 6,000 to 7,000 righteous army soldiers northward intending to march to the king's aid, but decided to first strike the enemy at Geumsan.

Course of Events

First Battle (Go Gyeong-myeong)

• 9th day of the 7th month: The righteous army of Go Gyeong-myeong and the government troops of Kwak Yeong reached the outside of Geumsan Fortress and began the attack. The Japanese came out of the fortress to meet them.
• 10th day of the 7th month: The Japanese concentrated their attack on the government troops, which collapsed first, and the righteous army also scattered. Go Gyeong-myeong did not retreat and continued fighting, and was killed along with his second son Go In-hu, Yu Paeng-no, and An Yeong.

Second Battle (Jo Heon and Yeong-gyu)

• Around the 16th day of the 8th month: After the recapture of Cheongju Fortress, most of Jo Heon's soldiers scattered due to conflicts with Governor-General of Military Affairs Yun Seon-gak and other issues, leaving about 700 men. He marched toward Geumsan together with Yeong-gyu's monk soldiers. It is said that Gwon Yul, Jeolla Governor, sent a letter asking that the date of the attack be delayed, but by then they had already departed.
• 18th day of the 8th month: Jo Heon and Yeong-gyu set up camp at Yeongonpyeong outside Geumsan Fortress. Knowing that the Joseon force was small and had no reinforcements, the Japanese came out of the fortress and attacked three times or more. When their arrows ran out, the righteous army and monk soldiers fought with bare hands, and all, including Jo Heon and Yeong-gyu, were killed.