Commander-in-Chief who led the victory at Haengju in the Imjin War; pen name Manchwidang; posthumous title Chungjang
| Life | 1537 ~ 1599 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 안동 권씨 |
Gwon Yul (1537-1599) was a mid-Joseon civil official and general from Andong, son of Chief State Councillor Gwon Cheol, with courtesy name Eonsin, pen names Manchwidang and Moak, and posthumous title Chungjang.
He passed the civil examination in 1582 and during the Imjin War is remembered for the stand at Ichi near Jeonju and the 1593 battle of Haengju Fortress. He rose to Commander-in-Chief (Dowonsu) and was named a first-class Seonmu merit subject in 1604.
Gwon Yul is said not to have taken office until his forties, passing the regular civil examination in 1582. One account says the earlier success of his son-in-law Yi Hang-bok was among the motives, but accounts differ.
When the war began he raised troops as Magistrate of Gwangju, but was defeated at Yongin in 1592. He then held Dokseong Fortress against Japanese attacks, and the same year is credited with halting an advance at Ichi near Jeonju.
The February 1593 defense of Haengju Fortress against a large army led by Ukita Hideie is known as the Haengju Daecheop and counted among the four great victories of the Imjin War. He was afterwards made Commander-in-Chief.
In 1596 he took part in suppressing Yi Mong-hak's rebellion, and during the second invasion attempted attacks toward Ulsan and Suncheon that failed amid Ming commanders' withdrawal orders and lack of cooperation. He resigned due to illness and died in 1599, and was posthumously made Chief State Councillor.
He was named a first-class Seonmu merit subject in 1604 and is enshrined at Chungjangsa, Gigongsa and elsewhere. Some views fault him for failing to mediate between Yi Sun-sin and Won Gyun. His father Gwon Cheol served as Chief State Councillor.
He is said to have died in his home region; the exact tomb location was not confirmed here. He is honored at shrines such as Chungjangsa in Gwangju and Gigongsa at Haengju.