Brigadier General James Monroe Williams

Yun Gwan (Korean윤관; Hanja尹瓘; 12 July 1040 – 15 June 1111[a]) was a Korean military general of Goryeo who was known for training the Byeolmuban and leading it to victory against the Jurchen tribes.

Early life

Yun was born as a descendant of Yun Shin-dal. He passed the Goryeo civil service exam during the reign of Munjong. In 1087, Yun became a Chulchusa, and inspected Gwangju, Cheongju, and Chungju. When Sukjong became the new King, Yun was sent to the Liao dynasty to notify Sukjong's coronation. In 1098, Yun went to an ambassador of Song dynasty, and told the information about Sukjong's coronation.[1]

The Jurchen Expedition

Jurchen tribes lived to the north of Goryeo. The Jurchens always rendered tribute to the Kings of Goryeo, but the Jurchen tribes grew strong and were soon united under Wanyan. They began to violate the Goryeo-Jurchen borders, and eventually invaded Goryeo. Goryeo, however, did not have a powerful army at that time, due in part to a century of peaceful existence. With the invasion of the Jurchen, King Sukjong ordered all available soldiers into battle, but this ended in defeat. General Yun Gwan convinced the Jurchen leaders to pull their troops back, and this ended the invasion of the Jurchen.

Victory over the Jurchen

After experiencing the invasion by the Jurchen, Yun Gwan realized that Goryeo lacked efficient cavalry units, and requested permission from King Sukjong to train and reorganize the current Goryeo military into a professional army that would contain well-trained cavalry units. Finally, in 1107, General Yun led the newly formed Goryeo army, a force of approximately 170 thousand men called Byeolmuban, and attacked the Jurchen tribes. Though the war lasted for several years, the Jurchen were ultimately defeated, and surrendered to Yun Gwan. To mark the victory, General Yun built nine fortresses to the northeast of the Goryeo-Jurchen borders (동북 9성; 東北 九城). In 1108, however, General Yun was given orders to withdraw his troops by Goryeo's new ruler, King Yejong.[1] After the war, Yun brought 346 prisoners, 96 horses, and about 300 cows.[2]

Due to manipulation and court intrigue from opposing factions, he was discharged from his post in 1108.[3] Along with this, the opposing factions fought to make sure that the new nine fortresses were returned to the Jurchens. Soon after, Yun Gwan was released from his prison in 1110, and was offered a chance to return to his duties as general, but he refused and returned to his hometown. A year later, in 1111, Yun Gwan died.

Aftermath

After the death of Yun Gwan, the Jurchen destroyed the Liao dynasty, and established the Jin dynasty. With the rise of the Jin, Goryeo was no longer able to trade with the Song Dynasty or any of the other neighboring nations, and became isolated, which contributed to the weakening of the kingdom.

Dispute

The extent of Yun Gwan's military campaigns has been in dispute for centuries. While the general belief is that his nine fortresses were built in present-day Hamheung in North Korea, a number of historical sources seem to indicate that Yun took parts of Manchuria for Goryeo, temporarily claiming the land of Goryeo's ancestors, Goguryeo.

Family feud

Due to wars and invasions, the location of Yun Gwan's tomb was lost until the 18th century. Yun Gwan's tomb was located near another tomb belonging to the Sim clan. Because of this a family feud erupted between the Yuns and Sims lasting 300 years.[4][5][6]

Family

  • Father
    • Yun Jib-hyeong (윤집형; 尹執衡)
  • Wife
  • Issue
    • Son - Yun Eon-in (윤언인; 尹彦仁)
    • Son - Yun Eon-sun (윤언순; 尹彦純)
    • Son - Yun Eon-am (윤언암)
    • Son - Yun Eon-sik (윤언식; 尹彦植; ? – 1149)
    • Son - Yun Eon-yi (윤언이; 尹彦頤; ? – May 1149)
    • Son - Yun Eon-min (윤언민; 尹彦旼; 1095 – 23 April 1154)
    • Daughter - Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan
    • Daughter - Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan
      • Son-in-law - Im Won-hu (임원후; 任元厚; 1089–1156)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In Lunar Calendar, Yun was born on 1 June 1040 and died on 8 May 1111

References

Bibliography

  • Brown, Kerry (2014), Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography, Berkshire Publishing Group LLC