Pak Hong

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In this Korean name, the family name is Pak.
Pak Hong
Native name
박홍
Born1534 (1534)
Taehŭng (ko), Joseon
Died1593 (aged 58–59)
Cause of deathIllness
Buried
Yesan, South Korea
AllegianceJoseon
Conflicts
Korean name
Hangul
박홍
Hanja
朴泓
RRBak Hong
MRPak Hong
Courtesy name
Hangul
청원
Hanja
淸源
RRCheongwon
MRCh'ŏngwŏn

Pak Hong (Korean: 박홍; Hanja: 朴泓; 1534—1593) was a Korean military leader of the mid-Joseon period. Born in 1534, Pak Hong passed the military examination in 1556 and was appointed as a Military Inspector. He held a series of provincial posts, including Assistant Magistrate of Kanggye, Chongpyong, and Chongsŏng. By 1592, he had risen to the position of Provincial Naval Commander of Left Gyeongsang just as the Imjin War erupted.

When the Japanese invaded, he confronted the enemy's vanguard but, faced with overwhelming odds, burned his main camp and retreated to Chungnyŏng. Upon learning that Choryŏng had also fallen, he withdrew toward the capital. On his way to the royal court-in-exile, he encountered Supreme Commander Kim Myŏngwŏn, who appointed him Left Division Commander. Pak then participated in the defense of the Imjin River and engaged the Japanese force at Paju, but was defeated and fled to Pyongyang.

After arriving in Pyongyang, he was impeached by officials for abandoning his post and violating military discipline. However, the charges were dropped in light of the wartime situation and his continued service during the retreat. When Pyongyang fell, he joined Yi Il in Pyongsan to rally troops. Soon after, he was assigned to escort the Crown Prince Gwanghae from Icheon to Songchon and was appointed Right Division Commander and Commander of the Volunteer Forces.

He returned to the Pyongyang front and fought in several engagements, though without notable distinction. After the city was retaken in early 1593, he continued operations as far as Paju with Kim Myŏngwŏn. His chronic illness recurred during the campaign, and he died on his way home for treatment. He was posthumously granted Vice Minister of War and further elevated to Minister of War.

Early life and career

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Pak Hong was born in 1534 in Taehŭng-hyŏn (대흥; 大興[1]), Chungcheong Province.[2] His father, Pak Yŏngmu, had served as an Assistant Administrator (별제; 別提[3]), and his mother was a daughter of Chŏng In'gŏl.[2] In 1556, Pak passed the military service examination and was subsequently appointed Military Inspector (선전관; 宣傳官[4]).[5] He later held various posts, including Assistant Magistrate (판관; 判官[6]) of Kanggye, Administrative Assistant (판관; 判官[6]) of the Office of Palace Procurement (내자시; 內資寺[7]), Magistrate of Isan (이산; 理山[8]), and Inspector (도사; 都事[9]) of the Office of the Royal Sons-in-Law (의빈부; 儀賓府[10]).[11] During his tenure as Magistrate of Chongpyong, he received multiple commendations, though he was dismissed after five years.[12]

In 1572, when banditry erupted in the Haeseo region, Pak was recommended for appointment as Magistrate of Pyongsan to oversee the path of an incoming Ming diplomatic mission.[12] Following his mother's death, he temporarily withdrew from public service to observe the mourning period.[11] He later served as Magistrate of Yeongam, staff officer (낭청; 郎廳[13]) of the Border Defense Council, Subarea Commander (만호; 萬戶[14]) of Ch'ŏnsŏng (천성; 天城[15]), and then Garrison Commander (첨사; 僉使) of Busan.[11]

After a posting as Garrison Commander of Manpo in 1580, he was appointed Magistrate of Chongsong (ko) in 1583. When unrest broke out among Jurchen groups in the northern region, he promptly assumed his post, suppressed the revolt, and rescued local inhabitants.[12] He further strengthened the region's defenses by repairing the fortress, equipping weaponry, and training troops.[11] He subsequently served as Military Protector (호군; 護軍[16]), as well as Magistrate of Tŏgwŏn (ko). In 1587, following the death of his father, he retired from office.[11]

Imjin War

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Outbreak of the Imjin War

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After completing his mourning period, Pak Hong was appointed Provincial Naval Commander (Lua error: not enough memory.) of Left Gyeongsang.[11] On the 14th day of the 4th month in 1592, the Imjin War began with the Japanese assault on Busan.Lua error: not enough memory.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. Pak promptly submitted a formal dispatch to the royal court, becoming the first to report the outbreak of hostilities.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Although tasked with leading naval operations against the Japanese forces, Pak was unable to mount effective resistance and ultimately retreated in the face of overwhelming opposition.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. Several factors contributed to this outcome: the naval forces under his command had not been placed on proper defensive alert, and the Japanese invasion—far exceeding the scale of previous waegu (Japanese pirates) incursions—was launched as a surprise attack.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. These conditions rendered organized resistance highly difficult.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

As the Japanese forces advanced from the captured stronghold of Busanjin toward Dongnae and the Naval Headquarters of Left Gyeongsang, Pak ordered the destruction of naval vessels, provisions, and military supplies at the base to prevent their capture.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. Pak Hong's initial actions were subject to criticism.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. Kim Sŏngil, serving as Ch'oyusa (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) of Right Gyeongang Province, remarked that "Left Naval Commander Pak Hong abandoned the fortress without discharging even a single arrow."[17] Likewise, the Office of the Inspector-General recommended that Pak Hong be punished according to the law.[18]Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Pak preserved the remaining troops in the vicinity and transitioned to land-based operations.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. Leading these forces, Pak departed from the Naval Headquarters and arrived at Sosan Post Station (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), where Yi Kak had already established a defensive encampment.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. The two commanders advanced together to the immediate rear of Dongnae Fortress but were repelled by Japanese reserve forces and forced to fall back to Sosan.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. On the afternoon of the 15th, Pak Chin, the Magistrate of Miryang, arrived with reinforcements, intending to relieve the fortress.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. However, their combined attempt to confront the Japanese vanguard—now occupying Dongnae—was unsuccessful, and Pak Hong withdrew once more.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. He later regrouped with Yi Kak in Eonyang, but as the Japanese continued their advance, Pak retreated further to Gyeongju.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Advance northward

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At Gyeongju, Pak Hong disbanded the remaining naval forces of the Left Gyeongsang Naval Command and withdrew with Song Ŭnggil (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) and Pak Chongnam (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) to defend Chungnyŏng Pass (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.).[19] Upon hearing that Choryŏng Pass (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) had fallen to the enemy, he proceeded toward Hansŏng.[19] While en route in search of King Seonjo's temporary court, which had relocated from the capital, Pak encountered Supreme Commander Kim Myŏngwŏn, who appointed him Left Division Commander.[20] He subsequently participated in the defense of the Imjin River.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

At Paju, Pak engaged Japanese forces alongside Sin Hal and Yu Kŭngnyang (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.). However, their forces were defeated; Sin Hal and Yu Kŭngnyang were killed in action, and only Pak managed to retreat to the Imjin River.[21] When the lower Imjin River defenses collapsed, Pak withdrew to Pyongyang with Kim Myŏngwŏn to defend Taedong River and assumed the role of Auxiliary Defense Commander (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.).[21]Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Upon arrival, he was impeached by the Office of Inspector-General and other officials on charges of dereliction of duty and breach of military discipline, citing his failure to hold territory and unauthorized withdrawal.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. Nevertheless, in view of the wartime circumstances and his continuous presence on the battlefield during the retreat, he was ultimately not punished.[22] This cycle—receiving appointments only to be impeached and demoted to the rank of a common soldier—repeated three times over the course of the war.[20]

Death

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Following the fall of Pyongyang, Pak regrouped with Yi Il at Pyongsan to recruit troops.[22] He was then summoned by Crown Prince Gwanghae, who was stationed in Icheon, and entered Songchon escorting him as Right Division Commander.[19] Pak also served as Commander of the Volunteer Corps (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), participating in various military operations around the Pyongyang area.[19] After the recapture of Hansŏng by Joseon forces in the first month of 1593, he continued to accompany Kim Myŏngwŏn to Paju.[22] However, while returning home for medical treatment due to a relapse of a chronic illness, Pak died en route.[20]

Legacy

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Pak Hong's tomb is located in Yesan County.[2] His epitaph was composed by Kim Sanghŏn (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.)Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1..[23] He was posthumously promoted to Vice Minister (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) of War.[22] Later, following the meritorious service of his eldest son, Pak Chinnam (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), who was recommended for recognition as a Ch'ŏngnan Kongsin (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), Pak Hong was further posthumously elevated to Minister of War and concurrently Deputy Director (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) of the State Tribunal.[21]

References

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  2. ^ a b c Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  3. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  4. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  5. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  6. ^ a b Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  7. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  8. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  9. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  10. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  12. ^ a b c Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  13. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  14. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  15. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  16. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  17. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  18. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  19. ^ a b c d Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  20. ^ a b c Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  21. ^ a b c Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  22. ^ a b c d Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  23. ^ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

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Sources

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  • Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  • Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  • Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  • Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  • Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.
  • Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

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