The story of Gye-Baek
The Paekche Dynasty flourished for six centuries from 18 BCE until it was defeated by its eastern neighbour, Silla, in 660 CE. Paekche was established in the southwest corner of the Korean peninsula, close to the site of present-day Seoul. It expanded southward and set up a trading relationship with China. Wary of the strengthening kingdom of Silla, Paekche and Koguryo joined forces to attack Silla, but were eventually driven back under the combined forces of Silla and T’ang China.
General Gye-Baek was commander-in-chief of the Paekche army in the dying years of that dynasty. In 660, when the united forces of Silla and T’ang China invaded Paekche, Gye-Baek organised an army of 5000 soldiers of the highest morale and courage to meet them in battle. He knew before he set out that his army was outnumbered and that his efforts would be futile, but he did not hesitate to try to defend his country, reportedly stating ‘I would rather die than be a slave of the enemy’. He then killed his wife and family to prevent them from falling into the hands of the opposing forces and to prevent the thought of them from influencing his actions or causing him to falter in battle.
In the first days of the campaign, Gye-Baek’s soldiers won four small initial battles. However, he was soon compelled to move his forces to block the advance of Silla’s General Kim Yoo-sin (whose story will be examined later). General Kim was advancing on the Paekche capital at Sabi and was intercepted at Hwangsan Field.
The Paekche army had arrived first at Hwangsan Field. Gye-Baek set up camp and gathered his troops together. He told the soldiers a story of the Chinese army that had defeated a 700,000-strong force with a mere five thousand men. Inspired by this speech, the Paekche forces rallied their strength and prepared for battle with Silla.
Kim Yoo-Sin soon arrived and the Silla forces launched an attack on Gye-Baek’s men. But the Paekche troops proved to be surprisingly resilient and managed to drive Silla back. One of General Kim’s officers sent his son, a Hwa-Rang warrior named Kwan-Chang, to single-handedly go out and fight the enemy. Kwan-Chang was twice captured by the Paekche forces. The first time he was released by Gye-Baek, impressed as he was by the young warrior’s bravery and fighting spirit. The second time he was captured, however, Kwan-Chang was executed and his body sent back to his father at the Silla base.
Buoyed by Kwan-Chang’s martyrdom, the Silla forces renewed their morale and Kim Yoo-Sin released a full attack on the dwindling Paekche army. In the end, Silla was victorious and Gye-Baek was slain. Kim later pronounced his enemy a man of honour and bravery.
Paekche was destroyed after 678 years of dynastic rule, shortly after Gye Baek's defeat and death at Hwangsan Field. Gye-Baek was later recognised by historians as exemplifying the Confucian ideals of patriotism and devotion to his king.
The pattern diagram is a single vertical line, symbolising Gye-Baek’s severe and strict military discipline. The pattern consists of 44 movements.
The Paekche Dynasty flourished for six centuries from 18 BCE until it was defeated by its eastern neighbour, Silla, in 660 CE. Paekche was established in the southwest corner of the Korean peninsula, close to the site of present-day Seoul. It expanded southward and set up a trading relationship with China. Wary of the strengthening kingdom of Silla, Paekche and Koguryo joined forces to attack Silla, but were eventually driven back under the combined forces of Silla and T’ang China.
General Gye-Baek was commander-in-chief of the Paekche army in the dying years of that dynasty. In 660, when the united forces of Silla and T’ang China invaded Paekche, Gye-Baek organised an army of 5000 soldiers of the highest morale and courage to meet them in battle. He knew before he set out that his army was outnumbered and that his efforts would be futile, but he did not hesitate to try to defend his country, reportedly stating ‘I would rather die than be a slave of the enemy’. He then killed his wife and family to prevent them from falling into the hands of the opposing forces and to prevent the thought of them from influencing his actions or causing him to falter in battle.
In the first days of the campaign, Gye-Baek’s soldiers won four small initial battles. However, he was soon compelled to move his forces to block the advance of Silla’s General Kim Yoo-sin (whose story will be examined later). General Kim was advancing on the Paekche capital at Sabi and was intercepted at Hwangsan Field.
The Paekche army had arrived first at Hwangsan Field. Gye-Baek set up camp and gathered his troops together. He told the soldiers a story of the Chinese army that had defeated a 700,000-strong force with a mere five thousand men. Inspired by this speech, the Paekche forces rallied their strength and prepared for battle with Silla.
Kim Yoo-Sin soon arrived and the Silla forces launched an attack on Gye-Baek’s men. But the Paekche troops proved to be surprisingly resilient and managed to drive Silla back. One of General Kim’s officers sent his son, a Hwa-Rang warrior named Kwan-Chang, to single-handedly go out and fight the enemy. Kwan-Chang was twice captured by the Paekche forces. The first time he was released by Gye-Baek, impressed as he was by the young warrior’s bravery and fighting spirit. The second time he was captured, however, Kwan-Chang was executed and his body sent back to his father at the Silla base.
Buoyed by Kwan-Chang’s martyrdom, the Silla forces renewed their morale and Kim Yoo-Sin released a full attack on the dwindling Paekche army. In the end, Silla was victorious and Gye-Baek was slain. Kim later pronounced his enemy a man of honour and bravery.
Paekche was destroyed after 678 years of dynastic rule, shortly after Gye Baek's defeat and death at Hwangsan Field. Gye-Baek was later recognised by historians as exemplifying the Confucian ideals of patriotism and devotion to his king.
The pattern diagram is a single vertical line, symbolising Gye-Baek’s severe and strict military discipline. The pattern consists of 44 movements.