김유신 金庾信
Renowned Silla general who led the unification of the Three Kingdoms
| Life | 595 ~ 673 |
| Era | 신라 |
| Clan | 김해 김씨 |
Life & career
Kim Yu-sin was a descendant of the royal family of Geumgwan Gaya. Serving through five reigns from King Jinpyeong to King Munmu, he became a central figure of the Silla government. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Nangbi Fortress in 629, and assisted Kim Chun-chu in bringing about the accession of King Taejong Muyeol.
As a supreme general, he crushed the Baekje army under Gyebaek at the Battle of Hwangsanbeol in 660, playing a decisive role in the fall of Baekje. He laid the foundation for the unification of the Three Kingdoms through the conquest of Goguryeo in 668 and the subsequent Silla-Tang War. Rising to the offices of Sangdaedeung and Taedaegakgan, he enjoyed the highest status in Silla.
In 835 (10th year of King Heungdeok), he was posthumously honored as King Sunchung Jangnyeol Heungmu (純忠壯烈興武大王), becoming the only figure in Korean history to be elevated from subject to king.
Grave
San 7-10, Chunghyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Tomb of Kim Yu-sin, Historic Site No. 21)
Descendants
Revered as the restorer of the Gimhae Kim clan, he had several sons, including his eldest, Kim Sam-gwang (Ichan rank).