[Lee Sang-hoon's Korean History] The Forgotten Battle, the Battle of Nowonpyeong during the Imjin War

Go Eon-baek Ambushed at Nowonpyeong and Samgaksan by Order of Yu Seong-ryong, Excels with Monk Soldiers
Forces Japanese Troops to Retreat Early in Outer Hanyang Battle

Sanghoon Lee, Professor of Military History, Korea Military Academy

In April 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign), the Imjin War broke out, ravaging the entire territory of Joseon. On April 14, Japanese forces landed in Busan and advanced northward with unstoppable momentum, forcing King Seonjo to flee northward. In early May, the Japanese army occupied Hanyang (present-day Seoul), and the Joseon army retreated to the Imjin River. While the Japanese forces reorganized after occupying Hanyang, from June onwards, righteous armies rose up across the country, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin was active along the southern coast. Thus, the Imjin War entered a new phase.

The front lines entered a lull, and Joseon's official army quickly regained its organizational strength. In February 1593 (the 26th year of King Seonjo), General Kwon Yul achieved a great victory by defeating the Japanese army at Haengju Fortress. After the Battle of Haengju, the Joseon army had to drive out the Japanese forces stationed in Hanyang. In March 1593, under the orders of Yu Seong-ryong, the Joseon army ambushed the Japanese around Nowonpyeong (蘆原平) and Samgaksan (Bukhansan) areas, corresponding to the foothills and hilly regions of present-day Nowon-gu and Dobong-gu. Based on intelligence that the Japanese troops were raiding surrounding areas to secure scarce provisions, the Joseon forces planned a joint operation by gathering troops.

On March 26, during the morning hours between 7 and 9 a.m. (Jinshi, 辰時), when the Japanese advanced into Nowonpyeong and Ugwandong (Uuideong), the ambushed Joseon troops launched an attack. Subsequently, troops led by Commander-in-Chief Kim Myeong-won, Sunbyeonsa Yi Bin, and Uiseungjang Yu Jeong attacked in succession. The Joseon army pursued the Japanese forces up to 10 ri from Hanyang, killing 47 soldiers.

On March 27, when the Japanese again advanced toward Suraksan, troops led by Go Eon-baek and the monk soldiers (Seunggun) rained arrows upon them. The record states that the Joseon forces “used the high terrain to shoot arrows in volleys,” suggesting that they ambushed the Japanese from Suraksan and Bulamsan. Yu Seong-ryong evaluated the battles fought by the Joseon army in March in the as “comparable to the Battle of Haengju Fortress.”

The Battle of Nowonpyeong is recorded only fragmentarily in the , making it difficult to ascertain detailed facts. Participants included Commander-in-Chief Kim Myeong-won, Hwanghae Province and Three Provinces Defense Commander Yi Si-eon, Pyongan Left Defense Commander Jeong Hui-rip, Gyeonggi Defense Commander Go Eon-baek, Sunbyeonsa Yi Bin, Pyongan Left Battalion Commander Park Myeong-hyeon, Jojeonjang Park Jin-nam, and Uiseungjang Yu Jeong. The opposing side was the Japanese army led by Ukita Hideie (宇喜多秀家).

It is unclear why the Japanese forces advanced northeast of Hanyang with troops. The general consensus is that their objective was to secure provisions due to food shortages. However, it is important to note that around the time of the Battle of Nowonpyeong, the Japanese also invaded areas such as Jeongneung (貞陵) and Taereung (泰陵). This suggests that, besides securing provisions, they used this as a pretext to plunder valuable cultural assets.

The key figures in the Battle of Nowonpyeong were Gyeonggi Defense Commander Go Eon-baek and the monk soldiers. Go Eon-baek is believed to have used Bulamsanseong Fortress, located on Bulamsan, as his base. According to the , compiled in the late Joseon period, “It was built by the righteous army leader Go Eon-baek during the Imjin War,” but in reality, Bulamsanseong Fortress was constructed during the Three Kingdoms period. Goguryeo built small fortresses (boru, 堡壘) as it expanded into the Han River basin, establishing military bases along the northeastern ridges of Seoul, including Suraksan, Bulamsan, Bonghwasan, Geomamsan, and Achasan. Additionally, Silla built mountain fortresses in the Han River basin at Achasan and Bulamsan as military bases. Thus, the fortress on Bulamsan was already established during the Three Kingdoms period. Therefore, during the Imjin War, Go Eon-baek likely used the Three Kingdoms-era Bulamsanseong Fortress as a base and refurbished it.

The Monument of General Go Eon-baek's Miracle. Photo by Imjin War Spirit and Culture Promotion Association

Go Eon-baek, who led the victory at the Battle of Nowonpyeong, was originally a local official (hyangri, 鄕吏) who passed the military examination and served in the army. When the Imjin War broke out in 1592, King Seonjo appointed Go Eon-baek as Yangju Moksa (magistrate of Yangju) and tasked him with protecting royal tombs. Go Eon-baek always stationed troops in ambush around various tombs and shot enemies whenever they appeared. When the Japanese invaded Taereung, he repelled them and beheaded 24 soldiers. The Uijeongbu (State Council) reported his achievements to King Seonjo. The Taereung area, which had many royal tombs, was exposed to Japanese plundering, but Go Eon-baek successfully executed ambush tactics by skillfully using the terrain with his troops. As a result, he was able to protect several royal tombs around Taereung and was promoted to Gyeonggi Province Defense Commander.

The situation at the time is recorded in the (Annals of King Seonjo), 25th year (1592): “The enemy invaded Taereung, but Eon-baek drove them away, so the tombs remained intact. The king rewarded his merits and repeatedly encouraged his rank advancement.” Go Eon-baek was already familiar with the terrain around Suraksan and Bulamsan during his tenure as Yangju Moksa and had experience fighting and defeating the Japanese. This foundation enabled him to lead the Joseon army to victory at the Battle of Nowonpyeong in 1593.

This area was also an important military base during the Later Jin invasion of Joseon (Jeongmyo Horan) in 1627. During that time, Yu Rim (柳琳) grazed horses below Taereung and was criticized for cutting trees around Jeongneung. The (Annals of King Injo), 5th year (1627), records: “Jeong Baek-chang reported, ‘Yu Rim grazed horses below the steps of Taereung and cut down trees around Jeongneung, causing the royal tombs to lose branches from pine and nut pines. How can such a person become a general?’”

In January 1627, when the Later Jin army crossed the Amnok River and advanced south, the Joseon court held a strategy meeting. Although they planned to establish a defense line along the Imjin River, the plan did not proceed smoothly. The discussion concluded with the decision to appoint a commander to lead the troops from the three southern provinces (Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang) upon their arrival. Yu Rim, the Chungcheong Province Military Commander, was recommended. Yu Rim led the southern troops northward and stationed them below Taereung, where he grazed horses. Grazing horses below the sacred Taereung and cutting trees around Jeongneung was improper, but this highlights that the Taereung and Jeongneung areas were suitable for large cavalry or troop deployments and were militarily significant.

With Hanyang established as the capital during the Joseon Dynasty, the Nowonpyeong area was considered the eastern suburb (Donggyo, 東郊) of the capital city. Suburban areas (gyo, 郊) were royal domains with many shrines, royal tombs, and temporary palaces, frequented by the king and nobility for outings. The Jungnangcheon Stream (中浪川) divided this eastern suburb east to west. Joseon kings had to cross Jungnangcheon to reach royal tombs located on Bulamsan (Taereung and Gangneung) or Geomamsan (Donggureung).

Nowonpyeong Battle. Illustration by Lee Young-woo

At the center of Jungnangcheon was Jungnangpo (中浪浦), where the tributaries Ui Stream and Mukdong Stream converged. It was a deep and abundant water area with a wide sandy beach. During King Hyojong’s reign, it was used as a training ground for troops preparing for northern expeditions. It was also a place for boat launching and river crossing practice. Jungnangpo served as a ferry connecting the west and east sides of Jungnangcheon and was part of the waterway leading to the Han River. Until the 1960s, boats could navigate Jungnangpo.

Post stations and beacon mounds were also established. Songgyewon (松溪院) was a post station for officials traveling from Hanyang to Gangwon Province and served as a resting point during the king’s visits to Taereung and Gangneung. A beacon mound was set up on Bonghwasan (烽火山), receiving signals from the northeast and southeast. All beacon signals coming from the east of Hanyang were received at Bonghwasan and relayed to Namsan within the city. Thus, the Nowonpyeong area was the most important military base east of Hanyang during the Joseon period.

Bulamsa Temple (佛庵寺), located on the slopes of Bulamsan, is known to have been founded during the Unified Silla period. During the Imjin War, monk soldiers are believed to have used this temple as a base for significant activities. Go Eon-baek, who served as Yangju Moksa and later as Gyeonggi Defense Commander, was well acquainted with the terrain of Suraksan, Bulamsan, and Nowonpyeong. He actively utilized the monk soldiers based at Bulamsa. While the Battle of Haengju Fortress was primarily a defensive battle centered on the fortress, the battles led by Go Eon-baek and the monk soldiers were not defensive but involved active ambushes and surprise attacks. These skirmishes around the outskirts of Hanyang, including the Battle of Nowonpyeong, limited the operational area of the Japanese forces and ultimately hastened their withdrawal from Hanyang.

Professor Sang-Hoon Lee, Department of Military History, Korea Military Academy