Sir Go Gyeongmyeong died for his country saying, "It is the time that I should write the final stroke." They discussed the changes occurring across the country while resting at Sikyeongjeong. In those days, Korea was in crisis from the Japanese invasion, which had already taken Busan, was rapidly descending on Seoul (formerly called Hanyang). Setting his two sons at the head, he mustered 6000 volunteer army for 30 days. After that, he set the troops into formation, starting from Damyang and marched for Jeonju. He sent out a written appeal to the local governors and people in every region. Because of the weakness of our country, sitting on the brink of destruction, these Japanese have brought up their armies against us. Where have our leaders and their armies fled to? Should we forsake our King? Governors and people of every region! It is time for us to rise up, bringing weapons and supplies. Responding to the earnest appeal, local volunteer troops gathered at Guemsan in Damyang, and passed through to Jeonju and Taein. When Go Gyeongmyeong's main army advanced on Eunjin, rumors spread that the enemy would defeat Jeonju and Guemsan.
Go Gyeongmyeong fought the enemy, setting the line of defense in Guemsan. He was victorious at the very first battle. However, on the next day, his troops were destroyed under an aggressive attack by the Japanese. Yu Paengro asked him to remain out of the battle, but he would not and was slain along with his second son, Inhoo. After his death, his first son, Jonghoo formed an army. He was joined by Choi Gyeonghoe who gathered the troops from Neoungju, Lim Gyeyoung who gathered the troops from Boseong, and Byeon Sajeong who formed a Red Flag Army in Namwon. These were leader of local volunteer troops under Go Gyeongmyeong. His death and blood defended Honam (Jeolla provinces) and the Joseon dynasty by causing the troops to be gathering together. This is why General Lee Sunsin said, "If there is no Honam (Jeolla provinces), nor will there be our country."
After hearing the story, the uniform and war relics of General Jaebong Go Gyeongmyeong hung over Pochungsa shrine touches people’s hearts. What a tragic end for an old scholar at the age of 60, who should have been writing poetry and debating philosophy in Soswaewon and Sigyeongjeong, rather than to fight against an enemy with horse and blade. Go Gyeongmyeong's faithfulness is a symbol of the ancient scholars who were not just well spoken in politics, administration and learning, but sacrificed themselves to practice those things sincerely. To know about Go Gyeongmyeong according to the high spirit of Honam (Jeolla provinces) thought, is the essence of understanding the spirit of Namdo (the south-western part of Korea), a spirit which embodies the practice and behavior of brilliant people. Thus it is not common to see a shrine with such and atmosphere of righteousness as Pochungsa shrine. Even now, the clearly heard, upright voice of a righteous scholar Go Gyeongmyeong brings us into such a consciousness.
Address: Wonsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City 947-4
Tel: 062-613-3461
Present condition of Cultural Property: Gwangju Metropolitan City Monument No.7
Cultural production era: The Joseon Dynasty
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