General Kim Shi-min, who led his troops to victory in one of the fiercest battles during the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, was born in 1554 in Byeongcheon, Chungcheongnam-do province. He was of a clan originating in Andong and his father, Kim Chung-gap, was a government official. He passed the state military service examination in 1578 and after working in the Military Training Administration, was posted to Jinju as an aide to the magistrate in 1591. When the magistrate of Jinju died of an illness when Japan invaded Korea in the 4th lunar month of 1592. Kim undertook the magistrate's job, encouraging the townspeople to construct walls, moats and other fortifications and organizing the military command and supplying weapons. He won battles at Sacheon, Goseong, Jinhae and Geumsan and was promoted to senior magistrate. On the fifth day of the tenth month of the same year, a 20,000 strong Japanese army attacked Jinju. With only 3,800 soldiers under his command, Kim fought valiantly for six days and successfully defended Jinju town in what came to be known as the Great Battle of Jinju. The general was hit in the head by an enemy bullet during the battle and later died from the wound in Jinju Town, worrying to his last minute about the future of his country. He was 39 years old. Before his death, Kim was promoted to Military Commander of Gyeongsang-u-do province. If only he had not died prematurely, perhaps Jinju would not have fallen to the enemy the next year. General Kim was posthumously included in the roster of the meritorious officials of the war and honored with the post of prime minister. He was also given the posthumous title Lord Sangnak Puwon-gun and the name Chungmu (loyalty and valor). This statue was erected by thousands of his admirers to commemorate his devoted loyalty and patriotism. 

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General Kim Shi-min Statue - Jinju - Public Info

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Inserted: 31-10-2022 10:10:30