Ulchi Mundok  Eulji Mundeok

Famous military leader of early 7th century Koguryo

 One of the the most distinguished military leader of the Koguryo period and one of the most well-known generals in Korean  history, General Ulchi Mundok's leadership and tactical owledge was the decisive factor in saving Koguryo L::-e.a from destruction at the hands of Chinese forces of the Sui. He faced invading forces of far superior numbers and not only turned them back but was able to pursue and destroy them with such vigor that they were not able to return. Much of his early life's story is sketchy but his later life was filled with enough spectacular success to earn him a permanent place among Korea's most remembered.

It is not known when this great man was born or in exactly what place and unfortunately it is not known exactly where he died. Even based on records of his accomplishments  the best that can be said is that he was born in the mid ~7th century and died in the early seventh century sometime after 618. It is certain that he was born and raised in a turbulentera both on the Korean peninsula and in neighboring China. His life spanned the later portion of an era known .

The Koguryo Kingdom to the north was Ulchi Mundok's home. It was a powerful and warlike kingdom, aggressive and strong enough to have lasted from 37 B.c. until 668. The two neighbors to the south, Shilla to the southeast and Paekche to the southwest, were bitter enemies and the three kingdoms constantly vied for each other's territory and ultimate power on the peninsula. The balance of power was somewhat equal during that period, however, and needed the infusion of outside forces to tip the scales in some direction. This force was supplied by their much larger western neighbor, China.

China itself was transforming in the late sixth century. For more than 350 years China had been composed of smaller kingdoms struggling for power, much like Korea, in an era known as the Six Dynasties period. In 589 however, China was united under the new Sui Dynasty. This new dynasty would supply the force needed to influence the balance of power on the Korean peninsula.

Ulchi Mundok grew up during this transformation in China and during the decline of the Koguryo Kingdom and the rise in power of the Shilla Kingdom on the Korean peninsula. He was an educated man, an eventual Minister of Koguryo, with skills in both the political and military sci?ences. He would be called upon to render service as a military leader, however, when the very existence of the kingdom became threatened by alliances between its rival neighbors.

Battle of the salsu river

Sui Dynasty China had a terrible suspicion of its war?like neighbor, Koguryo, and it did not enjoy good relations with the Sui as did Koguryo's rivals, Shilla and Paekche. Finally in 612, Yang Ti, the Sui Dynasty emperor, decided to subdue his dangerous neighbor and prepared to attack Koguryo. According to Chinese accounts, Emperor Yang Ti prepared a force of over one million men and personally led them against Koguryo. They quickly overran Koguryo outposts, camped on the Liao River and prepared to bridge the river. Ulchi Mundok was called upon to assist in the defense of the nation. He prepared to meet the superior Sui forces with a strategy of retreat, deception and attack. After the Sui forces crossed the Liao river a small contingent was sent to attack the city of Liaotung. General Ulchi Mundok sent his forces to meet them there and drove them out in a rout. The Sui forces tried other probes of little significance biding their time until the rainy season passed. Following the rainy sea?son the Sui moved their forces to the banks of the Yalu River in northwestern Korea and prepared for a major assault. General Ulchi Mundok visited the Chinese camp under the guise of surrender in an attempt to discover any weakness of the force. The king listened to General Ulchi Mundok and allowed him to leave the camp. Shortly after, Emperor Yang Ti changed his mind and set out after the general but it was too late. The general had discovered what he needed to defeat the force. He learned that the Sui forces were short of provisions and had overstretched their supply lines. General Ulchi Mundok decided to pursue a strategy of gradual retreat, luring his enemy deeper into hostile territory. He fought a kind of guerrilla warfare, picking when and where he fought and allowing the Sui forces to feel as though victory was close at hand, while luring them deeper into his trap. An advance force of over 300,000 was sent to take the city of Pyongyang. General Ulchi Mundok continued to lure them closer to the city to a strategic point where he could strike. His forces attacked from all sides driving the Sui troops back in utter confusion. Koguryo forces continued the pursuit slaughtering them almost at will. It is said that only 2,700 troops successfully made it back to the main body of forces. Winter soon began to set in and the Sui forces, short on provisions, were forced to return home. Beginning the following spring a second and third attack met similar disaster. Internal rebellion in China forced the Sui to give up its desires on Koguryo. By 618, the relatively short lived Sui Dynasty was replaced by the Tang Dynasty. General Ulchi Mundok's strategy and leadership had saved Koguryo Korea from the Chinese. Unfortunately for Koguryo, the emerging Shilla Kingdom would unite the peninsula some fifty years later.

General Ulchi Mundok is still celebrated as a great Korean hero. A main street in downtown Seoul, Ulchi-ro, is named for him. His victories are remembered as a time when the smaller Korean kingdom was able to decisively defeat the vastly larger Chinese nation.