(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
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently dubbed the Western mass media patronizing the
December 01, 2025
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently dubbed the Western mass media patronizing the
New houses have been built at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District in
December 01, 2025
New houses have been built at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District in
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in a speech at an
December 01, 2025
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in a speech at an
The Saesol Farm in Munchon City and the Roun Farm in Chonnae County of Kangwon Province have undergone big changes beyond
December 01, 2025
The Saesol Farm in Munchon City and the Roun Farm in Chonnae County of Kangwon Province have undergone big changes beyond
The Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Footwear Factory was built and the Pyongyang School Uniform Factory was renovated to hold
December 01, 2025
The Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Footwear Factory was built and the Pyongyang School Uniform Factory was renovated to hold
The Sunchon Building-materials Factory has been upgraded. The completion of a large-capacity building-materials production base
December 01, 2025
The Sunchon Building-materials Factory has been upgraded. The completion of a large-capacity building-materials production base
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on November 24 to denounce Israel's air raid on Lebanon. The statement condemned
November 30, 2025
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on November 24 to denounce Israel's air raid on Lebanon. The statement condemned
The construction of surface structures of Tanchon Port has been successfully completed. An inauguration ceremony of the port
November 30, 2025
The construction of surface structures of Tanchon Port has been successfully completed. An inauguration ceremony of the port
A symposium in the field of social sciences took place on November 27 to deeply grasp the immortal exploits performed by the
November 29, 2025
A symposium in the field of social sciences took place on November 27 to deeply grasp the immortal exploits performed by the
November 29 is World Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The 32nd Session of the UN General Assembly in 1977 decided to
November 29, 2025
November 29 is World Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The 32nd Session of the UN General Assembly in 1977 decided to
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the US’ military threat against Venezuela.The US is widely advertising that
November 29, 2025
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the US’ military threat against Venezuela.The US is widely advertising that
A friendly match between the national women’s football teams of the DPRK and Russia took place at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang
November 29, 2025
A friendly match between the national women’s football teams of the DPRK and Russia took place at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang
The agricultural workers in Kumbu-ri of Sakju County and Tanghu-ri of Phihyon County in North Phyongan Province have become the
November 29, 2025
The agricultural workers in Kumbu-ri of Sakju County and Tanghu-ri of Phihyon County in North Phyongan Province have become the
Under the wise leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea, modern tree nurseries rose up in different parts of the DPRK, the
November 29, 2025
Under the wise leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea, modern tree nurseries rose up in different parts of the DPRK, the
Recently, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs published an estimate, which said that more than one million
November 28, 2025
Recently, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs published an estimate, which said that more than one million
The World Meteorological Organization recently announced that the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse
November 28, 2025
The World Meteorological Organization recently announced that the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse
The U-17 men's ice hockey team of Primorsky Krai of Russia on a visit to Pyongyang at the invitation of the Ministry of Physical
November 28, 2025
The U-17 men's ice hockey team of Primorsky Krai of Russia on a visit to Pyongyang at the invitation of the Ministry of Physical
Proud entities of rural rejuvenation have sprung up one after another in North Hamgyong Province under the care of the Workers'
November 28, 2025
Proud entities of rural rejuvenation have sprung up one after another in North Hamgyong Province under the care of the Workers'
Many people come to enjoy themselves at the Chongnyu People’s Open-air Ice Rink on the banks of the Taedong River in Pyongyang.
November 28, 2025
Many people come to enjoy themselves at the Chongnyu People’s Open-air Ice Rink on the banks of the Taedong River in Pyongyang.
By giving priority to scientific research Choe Jin A, lecturer at the Chemistry Faculty of Kim Il Sung University, developed and
November 28, 2025
By giving priority to scientific research Choe Jin A, lecturer at the Chemistry Faculty of Kim Il Sung University, developed and
More Articles