E2024-G175

Leading the Community in Times of Peace and War: Go Gyeong-myeong

Narrative

Go Gyeong-myeong (1533-1592) was a civil official and civilian army commander of the Joseon period (1392-1910). He is known as one of the Three Loyal Subjects of Gwangju, along with Kim Deok-ryeong (1567-1596) and Jeon Sang-ui (1575-1627).

Go Gyeong-myeong served as the magistrate of Dongnae (today’s Busan area). When Japan invaded Korea in 1592, he organized a civilian army of over 6,000 troops. Go and his two sons, Go Jong-hu (1554-1953) and Go In-hu (1561-1592) heroically died fighting the invaders, with Go losing his life at the Battle of Geumsan. He is also remembered for having helped carry on the Gwangju Village Code, which was founded by Yi Seon-je (1389-1453). He also left the Collected Works of Go Gyeong-myeong.

The heroic sacrifice of Go Gyeong-myeong and his sons inspired the classical poem “Pochungsau ga” (Song of Pochungsa Shrine) (褒忠祠宇歌), written by Kim Sang-heon (1570-1652) in 1614, which chronicles their martyrdom and celebrates their patriotic spirit.

He is venerated at Pochungsa Shrine and commemorated for his patriotic loyalty at the Commemorative Pavilion of the Jangheung Go Clan, which was designated as a Gwangju Monument for its historical and cultural value. It is located near his birthplace.

Story Map

• Heroic Legacies: From Joseon Loyalty to Independence Fighters
  • The Three Loyal Subjects of Gwangju: Go Gyeong-myeong, Kim Deok-ryeong, and Jeon Sang-ui
  • Leading the Community in Times of Peace and War: Go Gyeong-myeong
  • Gwangju’s Patriotic Martyr: General Jeon Sang-ui
  • Jeong Ji and Jeong Chung-sin: A Family Legacy of Military Valor
  • Kim Tae-won and the Anti-Japanese Civilian Armies