Goryeo general who led a band of twelve volunteers at Guiju fortress in the war against the Mongols
| Life | 1251 |
| Era | 고려 후기 |
| Clan | 전주 김씨 |
Kim Gyeong-son (金慶孫, died 1251) was a late-Goryeo general and statesman, a son of Kim Tae-seo and the younger brother of Kim Yak-seon and Kim Gi-son. His first name was Un-rae (雲來), later changed to Gyeong-son. The Goryeosa describes him as dignified and gentle, with wisdom and courage.
In 1231 (18th year of Gojong), serving as a regional commander at Jeongju, he is recorded in the Goryeosa as leading twelve volunteers at Guiju fortress to defeat a large Mongol force during the first invasion, and he was praised with the Guiju commander Bak Seo as a hero of the fortress. In 1237, as Jeolla commander, he put down the rebellion of the brothers Yi Yeon-nyeon and became Chumilwon Busa.
In 1249 he fell victim to the jealousy of the strongman Choe Hang and was exiled to Baengnyeong Island; two years later, in 1251, he is said to have been thrown into the sea at the place of exile. The Goryeosa laments that his merit was unmatched yet he was harmed by treacherous men. In the reign of Sukjong of Joseon the Jeonggong Shrine honoring him and Bak Seo was built in Cheolsan, and he was named the Patriot of the Month for November 2007.
The Goryeosa reports that Kim Gyeong-son led twelve volunteers out of the gate to strike the Mongols at Guiju, and he was called a hero of the fortress together with the commander Bak Seo. The fighting took place in the first Mongol invasion of 1231.
His unjust death is tied to the power struggles at the end of the Choe military regime. A record also says he reported his nephew Kim Mi's affair to Choe Hang for fear of reprisal, so judgments are not uniform, but he is remembered as a defender of the country.
Recorded sons are Kim Sin (Mikjik Seungji) and Kim Hon; his nephew Kim Mi was a son of his brother Kim Yak-seon. See also the Jeonju Kim clan page.