(1544-1610) was a commander of a volunteer army of priest origin and prominent diplomat.
At the age of 13, he became a disciple of Saint Sosan (1520-1604), whose Buddhist name was Hyujong, and after mastering the Buddhist doctrine, he was assigned to the Yujom Temple in Mt Kumgang. When Korea went to the Imjin Patriotic War (1592-1598) against Japanese invasion, he organized a volunteer army unit with about 700 monks in the Kwandong area in response to the call of Saint Sosan who was in Mt Myohyang.
He took part in the battle of the Walled City of Pyongyang leading monk soldiers. Afterwards, he pursued the fleeing enemies together with Kwon Ryul, a commander of the government forces, to win victories.
As he went to the enemy camp on several occasions, he met with the enemy commander, Kato, and turned down their impudent demand with his stately diplomatic activities to drive them into a tight corner.
He commanded many battles to victory to make a great contribution to the victorious Imjin Patriotic War.
In 1604, six years after the war, he went to Japan with the sovereign’s message to conduct peace negotiations with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the power holder of Japan, and returned home with thousands of Koreans who had been captured.
More From Pyongyang Times
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, expressed his stand to counter the US’ hostile act in a large-scale mass
February 07, 2026
Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, expressed his stand to counter the US’ hostile act in a large-scale mass
Ten years have passed since the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 was successfully launched in the DPRK.When Kwangmyong
February 07, 2026
Ten years have passed since the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 was successfully launched in the DPRK.When Kwangmyong
A department director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the German ambassador to Iran on January 29 to denounce and reject
February 06, 2026
A department director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the German ambassador to Iran on January 29 to denounce and reject
The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Mt Paektu area sports village in
February 06, 2026
The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Mt Paektu area sports village in
The prime minister of Qatar visited Iran on January 31 to discuss the issue of regional peace and stability at the time when the
February 06, 2026
The prime minister of Qatar visited Iran on January 31 to discuss the issue of regional peace and stability at the time when the
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament "Ivan Yarygin Cup" held in
February 06, 2026
DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament "Ivan Yarygin Cup" held in
New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, giving a
February 06, 2026
New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, giving a
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea worked out a yearly plan for building 10 000 flats in Pyongyang every year
February 06, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea worked out a yearly plan for building 10 000 flats in Pyongyang every year
The vice-minister of the Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified the stand to resolutely cope with the US’ military threat on January 2
February 05, 2026
The vice-minister of the Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified the stand to resolutely cope with the US’ military threat on January 2
Protest actions were staged simultaneously in different parts of the US against the murderous immigration policy of the
February 05, 2026
Protest actions were staged simultaneously in different parts of the US against the murderous immigration policy of the
Natural disasters have brought misfortunes and sufferings to people in any era and any country. But the reality in the DPRK is
February 05, 2026
Natural disasters have brought misfortunes and sufferings to people in any era and any country. But the reality in the DPRK is
The construction for the regional development policy in 2026 began with due ceremonies in the area of the Sinuiju Combined
February 05, 2026
The construction for the regional development policy in 2026 began with due ceremonies in the area of the Sinuiju Combined
Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met with a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on February 2. Present there were
February 05, 2026
Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met with a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on February 2. Present there were
A national photo exhibition, "Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance", was opened in celebration of the 84th birth anniversary
February 04, 2026
A national photo exhibition, "Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance", was opened in celebration of the 84th birth anniversary
Students in their final year at senior middle schools in Nampho Municipality met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre
February 04, 2026
Students in their final year at senior middle schools in Nampho Municipality met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket and a congratulatory letter from the military attaches corps in
February 04, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket and a congratulatory letter from the military attaches corps in
Different countries are intensifying efforts to jointly cope with the arbitrariness and military pressure of the West.In mid-Janua
February 04, 2026
Different countries are intensifying efforts to jointly cope with the arbitrariness and military pressure of the West.In mid-Janua
Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested its citizens to refrain from travelling to Japan in the period of
February 04, 2026
Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested its citizens to refrain from travelling to Japan in the period of
Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon
February 04, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon
South Hamgyong Province has successfully built the Kyongpho Children’s Camp at an excellent place on the coast of the East Sea.The
February 04, 2026
South Hamgyong Province has successfully built the Kyongpho Children’s Camp at an excellent place on the coast of the East Sea.The
More Articles
