Panoramic View of Hobeolchi Battlefield during JeongyujaeranA Panoramic View of the former Hobeolchi Battlefield located on the border of Sangseo-myeon and Nampo-ri, Boan-myeon, Buan-gun. Nearby, the National Road No. 23 passes by, and to the north is Nampo Reservoir.
A battlefield in Hobeolchi Hill on the border between Nampo-ri, Boan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do and Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun, where Korean Euibyeong (Righteous Army) fought Japanese invaders during the Jeongyujaeran.
Summary
Following the Imjin War with Japanese’ invasion of the country in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo’s reign), local leaders of Korean Euibyeong (Righteous Army) such as Kim Yeong-nyeon, Chae Hong-guk, Go Deok-bung, Jo Ik-nyeong, Lee Dae-jun, etc. formed an alliance among 92 people at Namdang, Heungdeok. They dealt a severe blow to the Japanese invaders in Baepung. They sent 300 bags of rice to feed the troops of Gen. Gwak Ja-eu in Yeongnam and marched to Suncheon. At the news about the start of a truce talk in Pyeongyang, they pulled back to the Jeokseonggang River, Sunchang and returned home. With the outbreak of Jeongyujaeran(Japanese re-invasion) in 1597, some of Japanese troops landed in Julpo, Buan and laid waste to the area. The number of Korean Euibyeong in Buan increased to 125 by adding 33 and they formed a new Jeongyugangchang alliance and they were ready to fight the invaders. Finally, they clashed with the invaders on Hobeolchi Hill near Buan and fought for a week. Many Euibyeong troops were killed in action including Chae Hong-guk and his two sons, and Kim Yeong-nyeon and his son. Euibyeong troops led by Kim Hong-won, Yu Hui-bang, and Lee Yu [Hampyeong] attacked the invaders near Buan sporadically. Euibyeong troops led by Yu Hui-bang killed hundreds of invaders in the Hobeolchi Battle, but Yu was killed in action at the age of 31 in a battle waged on Yujeongja[Yujeongchi] Pass. Seeing that the Japanese were perpetrating a variety of atrocious acts including slaughter of civilians, Lee Yu from Hampyeong recruited hundreds of Euibyeong troops and fought them. In three days, he was outnumbered by enemy and killed in action. The central government of Joseon appointed Hwang Sin as the Jeolla-do Governor and had him protect the province from the invaders. Governor Hwang Sin ordered Euibyeong leader Kim Hong-won to fend off the Japanese in Byeonsan. Seeing that the Japanese ships were approaching Byeonsan, Kim Hongwon and Won Sin set up an ambush. Kim Hongwon and Chae Chunbong won a victory against the invaders at Hobeolchi Pass. Whether the Hobeolchi battle is waged in April or September is not clear, but it is thought that the battle at Hobeolchi Pass was waged in September.
Development
In August 1965, the Monument for Hobeolchi Battle was set up. During the Jeongyujaeran, Japanese cut the noses of the Euibyeong troops killed in action and sent them home to Japan as spoils. In 1993, some soil was taken from the nose tomb made in Japan and built a tomb. In May 19, 2009, Minchungsa Shrine was set up in front of the monument.
Location
Hobeolchi Pass located between Boan-myeon and Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun. The area comprises 11 land lots at San 17, Nampo-ri, Boan-myeon and 1521 Buan-ro, Sangseo-myeon.
Current Status
The following are located on the Site of Hobeolchi Battle of Jeongyujaeran: the Monument for Hobeolchi Battle; the Monument for Euibyeong troops killed in the war, a tomb formed with some soil taken from Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, Japan; a stone lantern, a pair of tiger images, monuments for Euibyeong leaders Chae Hong-guk and Kim Yeong-nyeon, Minchungsa Shrine, etc. In April 2, 1976, the Site (31,635 ㎡) of Hobeolchi Battle of Jeongyujaeran was designated as Jeollabuk-do Monument No. 30. Excavation survey of the surroundings have not been carried out.
Historical Significance
The Site of Hobeolchi Battle of Jeongyujaeran is a historic place, where Euibyeong (made up of local scholars, farmers, monks, and even those of lower class) fought the invaders to the end.
