Uljimundok (end of 6th century--beginning of 7th century) is a famous patriotic general of Koguryo who accomplished great exploits in the battle to repulse the huge army of Sui Dynasty of China. Uljimundok of Pyongyang origin was very brave and calm, and good at martial art and literature from his early age. Later he worked as a minister of Koguryo. In March, 612, when millions strong Sui aggressor army invaded Koguryo, he commanded the whole Koguryo army. Since Sui was invading with millions strong army, he planned to frustrate the enemy’s aggression by strengthening the major defense line formed by important castles in the eastern side of the River Liaohe.
In mid April of that year the enemy rushed to Liaodong castle after crossing the River Liaohe with big death toll. The Koguryo army and people in the castle dealt heavy blow to the enemy. Fierce battles continued in many castles along the River Liaohe. Uljimundok commanded the battle skillfully, thus keeping the enemy around Liaodong castle area for a long time and frustrated their offensives.
Yangje of Sui formed the 9th Army with 305 000 men under the command of U Jung Mun and U Mun Sul when the battle of Liaodong castle was prolonged and sent them deep into Koguryo and dispatched naval forces from Shantong peninsula with the purpose of capturing the second capital of Koguryo Pukpyongyang( Ponghwang castle).
Uljimundok who was aware of the enemy’s attempt went to the enemy camp under the pretext of negotiation and collected information on the internal situation of the enemy.
In this course he saw through that there were controversies among the enemy generals and they were in short of food. He thus made determination to win final victory by combining temptation tactics and clean field tactics (leaving nothing to the enemy-occupied area).
Ulji evacuated to the castle all the people living near the road of the enemy’s advance and hidden all the grains, domestic animals and fowls, and even filled up wells and lured the enemy near Ponghwang castle pretending defeat in every battle. The enemy was extremely tired with low morale and in confusion. When they saw the iron-strong Pyonghwang castle, they couldn’t dare to attack it and was put in tight corner of neither to make offensive nor to retreat.
Uljimundok made full preparation to start counter-attack in all fronts and sent a poem to the enemy commander making fun of the poor looks of the enemy.
Clever strategy mastered the astronomy
Curious tactics mastered the geography
High is the success in the battle
Better go back home with satisfaction
This poem made the enemy more frig
The Koguryo army under the command of Uljimundok made a strong attack on the enemy when they were crossing River Salsu from both sides, thus dealing a deadly blow to the enemy.
Only 2 700 enemy soldiers out of 305 000 men survived in the battle and ran to the area near Liaodong castle.
Uljimundok played such a great role in leading the Koguryo army and people to victory in the Koguryo-Sui war in the year of 612. His patriotic spirit encouraged the Korean people in their struggle against foreign invaders historically.
