Among the national intangible cultural heritage items of the DPRK are legends of Ulji Mun Dok, a patriotic general in the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668).

There are several legends which deal mainly with his birth and growth and his outstanding role in leading a war to defeat three million-strong foreign invaders to victory in 612.

Among such legends are “Legend of Mt Sokta” and “A Mysterious Sword Stuck in the Cave of Mt Pulgok” about his birth and growth, “A Great Victory in Salsu” about successfully warding off foreign invasion, and “A Legend of Chilbul Temple.”

“Legend of Mt Sokta” tells that he grew up through labour and was endowed with unusual spirit and courage. The story is as follows:

A woman lived in a village at the foot of Mt Sokta near the seashore of Jungsan County of South Phyongan Province. One day on her way back home after finishing weeding, she found a big bird’s egg at the foot of the mountain. Out of curiosity she took it to her house. Later she became pregnant and gave birth to Ulji.

Ulji made ends meet by baking and selling salt on the seashore since his childhood. He usually came back home late in the evening. One night he came across an animal as big as a calf. When the animal tried to bother him, he knocked it down with a stick. But it was a big tiger. The news instantly spread across the village, and they began to call him a man as strong as a tiger, not as a salt dealer.

“A Mysterious Sword Stuck in the Cave of Mt Pulgok” gives a story that he grew into a distinguished general of the country after practising martial arts in Mt Pulgok.

“A Great Victory in Salsu” deals with Ulji’s adroit bravery. When foreign enemies invaded Koguryo, he visited their camp on the pretext of negotiation. While behind enemy lines, he sensed out their weak points. Later he defeated them by employing relevant tactics.

The interesting part of the legend is the satirical poem he sent to the commander of the enemy troops after exhausting them by applying various tactics.

The poem mixed with the satirical and warning lines representing Ulji’s tactics lured the enemy troops into advancing as far as 12 kilometres near the Walled City of Pyongyang. It left the exhausted enemy soldiers more panic-stricken and finally made them retreat.

When the enemy began to pull out, Ulji led the Koguryo army to deliver a crushing blow to them in Salsu, winning a great victory in the end.

The legends based on historical facts convey the patriotic loyalty and bravery of the Koguryo people. They are still told about among Korean people.

Jo Son Hyok