Righteous army leader from Gangjin in the second Japanese invasion who fought under Yi Sun-sin; Seonmu Wonjong merit subject; one of the 'Four Loyal' father and brothers
| Life | 1545 ~ 1597 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 파주 염씨 |
Yeom Geol (廉傑, 1545-1597) was a mid-Joseon righteous army leader of the Paju clan, with courtesy name Gukchung and pen name Toeeundang. He is said to have been born in 1545 in Yulbyeon-ri, Chillyang-myeon, Gangjin, South Jeolla, eldest son of Yeom In-hyeong. As a child he was gifted in writing and strength and skilled in riding and archery. The Academy of Korean Studies gives 1545-1597, while a local newspaper gives 1598 for his martyrdom, so the death year differs between 1597 and 1598 among sources.
When the second invasion broke out in 1597, at age 52 he is said to have gathered over 300 volunteers with his brothers Yeom Seo and Yeom Gyeong and his only son Yeom Hong-rip. Facing Japanese ships at Gusip-po, Daegu-myeon, Gangjin, he stood scarecrows along the shore to make his force seem large, struck by surprise in the night fog, shot proclamations into the enemy camp to create confusion, and lured the enemy into the valley of Sujeongsa (also written Jeongsusa) for a great victory, in which his brother Gyeong fell. He is said to have then fought under Yi Sun-sin at battles including Hoeryeongjin in Jangheung, Waegyoseong in Gwangyang, Noryang and Yegyoseong in Suncheon.
At Noryang he is said to have destroyed dozens of enemy ships and killed more than ten enemy commanders, but because Yi Sun-sin fell his merit failed to reach the court properly, and he died pursuing the retreating Japanese as far as Geoje Island. One account says Yi Sun-sin reported his exploits in a memorial and King Seonjo gave him the post of gate warden. He was later named a second-class Seonmu Wonjong merit subject and posthumously made Minister of War with the rank of Jaheon Daebu. Yeom Geol, his brothers and his son Hong-rip are called the 'Four Loyal' (sachung) and are enshrined together at the Sachung tomb in Danwon-ri, Chillyang-myeon, beside which lies a 'loyal servant's tomb' for a retainer who died with them. The tomb was designated a South Jeolla provincial monument in 1978.
Wikipedia and Namuwiki explain that after the disaster of 1388 the Paju Yeom clan had few figures at court for a long time, but during the Imjin War Yeom Geol, Yeom Seo, Yeom Gyeong, Yeom Hong-rip, Yeom Eon-sang, Yeom Mal-gyeong, Yeom Se-gyeong and others won merit as righteous army fighters and were recorded as Seonmu Wonjong merit subjects, bringing the clan to notice again. A culture newspaper says Yeom Mal-gyeong gathered volunteers at Okcheon and defeated Japanese troops, and Yeom Eon-sang died in service in the Chupungnyeong battle under Yi Sun-sin.
A local newspaper says a 'Toeeundang Yeom Geol victory monument' stands at the entrance of Sujeongsa and that the Gangjin Goryeo Celadon Festival commemorates the victory with scarecrows echoing his tactic. Events vary each year, so please check with Gangjin County.
At Danwon-ri, Chillyang-myeon, Gangjin, there is the Sachung tomb enshrining Yeom Geol, Yeom Seo, Yeom Gyeong and Yeom Hong-rip together, designated a South Jeolla provincial monument in 1978. A shrine named Chunghyosa and a victory monument are said to stand at Jeongsusa (Sujeongsa).