Kim Yu-sin (; 595 – 21 August 673) was a Korean military general and politician in 7th-century
Silla
Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...
. He led the unification of the
Korean Peninsula
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically divided at or near the 38th parallel between North Korea (Dem ...
by Silla under the reign of King
Muyeol and King
Munmu. He is said to have been the great-grandchild of King
Guhae of Geumgwan Gaya, the last ruler of the
Geumgwan Gaya
Geumgwan Gaya (), also known as Bongaya () or Garakguk (), was the ruling city-state of the Gaya confederacy that existed from 43 to 532 CE, during the Three Kingdoms period, in Korea. It is believed to have been located around the modern-day city ...
state. This would have given him a very high position in the Silla
bone rank system
The bone-rank system () was the system of Aristocracy, aristocratic rank used in the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. It was used to segregate society, and particularly the layers of the aristocracy, on the basis of their hereditary proximity to ...
, which governed the political and military status that a person could attain.
Much of what is known about Kim's life comes from the detailed account in the ''
Samguk Sagi
''Samguk sagi'' () is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Completed in 1145, it is well-known in Korea as the oldest surviving chronicle of Korean history.
The ''Samguk sagi'' is written in Classical ...
'', Yeoljeon 1-3, and the much briefer record in the ''
Samguk Yusa
''Samguk yusa'' (; ) or ''Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms'' is a collection of legends, folktales, and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla), as well as to other periods and states before, d ...
'', vol. 1.
Early years
Kim Yu-sin was the son of General Kim Seohyeon (the second son of General
Kim Mu-ryeok) and
Lady Manmyeong, who was a daughter of Kim Sukheuljong (), who was the younger brother of
King Jinheung. He was born in Manno county (; present-day
Jincheon County
Jincheon County () is a county in North Chungcheong Province (North Chungcheong) Province, South Korea.
Location
Jincheon belongs to the middle of North Chungcheong Province. It borders several cities of its province but also meets Gyeonggi Pro ...
) in 595, became a
Hwarang
Hwarang () were an elite warrior group of male youth in Silla, an ancient kingdom of the Korean Peninsula that originated from the mid 6th century and lasted until the early 10th century. There were educational institutions as well as social clu ...
warrior at just 15 and was an accomplished swordsman and a Gukseon (; Hwarang leader) by the time he was 18 years old. By the age of 34 (in 629) he had been given total command of the Silla armed forces. Three years later, Kim Yu-sin's cousin, Princess Deokman, became
Queen Seondeok and kept Kim Yu-sin as commander in chief of the royal army. During the reign of
Queen Seondeok of Silla
Queen Seondeok ( ; ? – ; day of the lunar month of the year of Inpyeong []) reigned as Queen Regnant of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647. She was Silla's List of monarchs of Korea, twenty-seventh ruler, and its ...
(632–647), Kim Yu-sin owned ten thousand private soldiers, won many battles against
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche (; ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. While the three kingdoms were in separate existence, Baekje had the h ...
and became one of the most powerful men in Silla.
Military accomplishments

Kim Yu-sin's first military engagement in command is believed to have occurred around 629 AD, and through it he quickly proved his capabilities as a warrior. Silla was in a constant struggle with its neighbor to the west,
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche (; ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. While the three kingdoms were in separate existence, Baekje had the h ...
, over territory. There had been gains and losses on both sides, and the struggle lasted for many years. It was during this period that Yu-sin rose through the ranks of the military, rising to the position of general and becoming a skilled field commander.
Baekje and Silla had formed an alliance to counter
Goguryeo
Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD) (; ; Old Korean: Guryeo) also later known as Goryeo (; ; Middle Korean: 고ᇢ롕〮, ''kwòwlyéy''), was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korea, Korean Peninsula an ...
's power and its intentions to push southwards, and together they launched a successful attack on it, Silla taking the northern territory and Baekje the one south of the Han river. But Silla broke the alliance and attacked Baekje in order to claim both territories for itself. After this betrayal, Baekje allied with Goguryeo. When Goguryeo and Baekje attacked Silla in 655, Silla joined forces with
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
China to battle the invaders. Although it is not clear when Kim Yu-sin first became a general, he was certainly commanding the Silla forces by this time. Eventually, with the help of a 50,000 man Silla army and some 130,000 Tang forces, Yushin attacked the Baekje capital,
Sabi, in 660, in the
Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
The Baekje defenders were commanded by General
Gyebaek, but the Baekje forces only consisted of about 5,000 men and were no match for Yu-sin's warriors, which numbered about ten times as many. Baekje, which had already been experiencing internal political problems, crumbled. Kim Yu-sin's Silla forces and their Tang allies now moved on Goguryeo from two directions, and in 661 they attacked the seemingly impregnable Goguryeo kingdom, but were repelled. The attack had weakened Goguryeo, though. In 667 another offensive was launched which, in 668, finally destroyed Goguryeo.
Silla still had to subdue various pockets of resistance, but their efforts were then focused on ensuring that their Tang allies did not overstay their welcome on the peninsula. After some
difficult conflicts, Silla eventually forced out the Tang troops and united the peninsula under their rule.
Legends
Many legends exist about Kim Yu-sin. One legend states that Kim was once ordered to subdue a rebel army, but his troops refused to fight as they had seen a large star fall from the sky and took this to be a bad omen. To regain the confidence of his troops, the General used a large
kite
A kite is a tethered heavier than air flight, heavier-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create Lift (force), lift and Drag (physics), drag forces. A kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. Kites often have ...
to carry a fire ball into the sky. The soldiers, seeing the star return to heaven, rallied and defeated the rebels. Other legends mention how General Kim ingeniously used kites as a means of communication between his troops when they had become divided between islands and the mainland.
Kim Yu-sin once spent the night at a courtesan's tavern, and when his mother learned of this, she cried and asked Kim Yu-sin to never again set his foot in that kind of place. One night, Kim Yu-sin was very drunk, and his horse took him to the courtesan's house. When Kim Yu-sin woke, he was angry at having broken his promise to his mother and slit the horse's throat.
His final years
Throughout his life, Kim Yu-sin felt that Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla should not be separate countries but rather united as one. He is regarded as the driving force in the unification of the
Korean Peninsula
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically divided at or near the 38th parallel between North Korea (Dem ...
, and is the most famous of all the generals in the unification wars of the
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...
.
Kim Yu-sin was rewarded handsomely for his efforts in the campaigns. In 668, King Munmu bestowed upon him the honorary title of ''Taedaegakgan'' (), something like "Supreme Herald of Defense" (literally "greatest-great-trumpet-shield"). He reportedly received a village of over 500 households, and in 669 was given some 142 separate horse farms, spread throughout the kingdom. He died four years later, leaving behind ten children.
Kim Yu-sin lived to the age of 79 and is considered to be one of the most famous generals and masters of
Korean sword
The traditions of Korean bladesmithing and swordsmanship have served a central place in the military history of Korea for thousands of years. Although typical Korean land battles have taken place in wide valleys and narrow mountain passes, which fa ...
s in Korean history. He is the focus of numerous stories and legends, and is familiar to most Koreans from a very early age. Following his death on 21 August (the 1st day of the 7th lunar month) 673, General Kim was awarded the honorary title of King Heungmu.
A tomb in Gyeongju is believed to belong to Kim, although its owner is debated by academics.
Family
Kim Yu-sin had two sisters, Kim Bo-hee and Kim Mun-hee. Kim Mun-hee, later known as
Queen Munmyeong, married Yu-sin's friend Kim Cheon-chu,
King Taejong Muyeol of Silla, who is credited for having led the unification of the Korean peninsula under
Silla
Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...
. Muyeol and Munmyeong were the parents of
King Munmu of Silla and
Kim Inmun.
Kim Yu-sin's third wife, Lady Jiso (
Hanja
Hanja (; ), alternatively spelled Hancha, are Chinese characters used to write the Korean language. After characters were introduced to Korea to write Literary Chinese, they were adapted to write Korean as early as the Gojoseon period.
() ...
: 智炤夫人), was the third daughter of
King Muyeol of Silla. Yu-sin had ten children. His second son,
Kim Won-sul, would later play a central role in completing the independence of
Silla
Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...
from the
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
.
*Wife: Lady Jiso, daughter of
King Muyeol of Silla and
Queen Munmyeong
**Son: Kim Sam-gwang (김삼광)
**Son:
Kim Won-sul
**Son: Kim Won-jeong (김원정)
**Son: Kim Jang-yi (김장이)
**Son: Kim Won-mang (김원망)
**Daughter: Lady Kim of the Gimhae Kim clan (김해 김씨)
**Daughter: Lady Kim of the Gimhae Kim clan (김해 김씨)
**Daughter: Lady Kim of the Gimhae Kim clan (김해 김씨)
**Daughter: Lady Kim of the Gimhae Kim clan (김해 김씨)
*Wife: Cheon Gwan-nyeo – Courtesan
**Son: Kim Gun-seung (김군승) or Kim Si-deuk (김시득)
*Grandson:
Kim Am (also Gim Am, )
Legacy
According to ''
Samguk Sagi
''Samguk sagi'' () is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Completed in 1145, it is well-known in Korea as the oldest surviving chronicle of Korean history.
The ''Samguk sagi'' is written in Classical ...
'', Kim Yu-sin was a descendant of
Shaohao
Shaohao (), also known as Jin Tian (), was a legendary Chinese sovereign, usually identified as a son of the Yellow Emperor. According to some traditions, such as that within the ''Book of Documents'', Shaohao is one of the Five Emperors. His pla ...
.
[『三國史記』列傳 第一:金庾信 上
:金庾信 王京人也 十二世祖首露 不知何許人也 以後漢建武十八年壬寅 登龜峯 望駕洛九村 遂至其地 開國 號曰加耶 後改爲金官國 其子孫相承 至九世孫仇亥 或云仇次休 於庾信爲曾祖 羅人自謂少昊金天氏之後 故姓金 庾信碑亦云 軒轅之裔 少昊之胤 則南加耶始祖首露 與新羅同姓也]
Today, Kim Yu-sin is remembered by Koreans as one of the greatest generals in Korean history. His ultimate legacy is the first unification of the Korean nation. One of his ten children, his second son
Kim Won-sul, became a general during the reign of King Munmu and was essential in unifying Silla.
Jincheon Gilsangsa is a shrine dedicated to his portrait in Jincheon-eup,
Jincheon-gun,
North Chungcheong Province
North Chungcheong Province (), also known as Chungbuk, is a province of South Korea. North Chungcheong has a population of 1,578,934 (2014) and has a geographic area of located in the Hoseo region on the south-centre of the Korean Peninsula. No ...
.
Popular culture
* Portrayed by Yoon Seung-won,
Lee Jong-soo and
Lee David
Lee Da-wit (; born March 3, 1994), Anglicisation of names, anglicized as Lee David, is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his supporting roles in ''Itaewon Class'' (2020) and the Squid Game season 2, second season of ''Squid Game'' (2024 ...
in 2006–2007
SBS TV series ''
Yeon Gaesomun
Yeon GaesomunSome Chinese and Korean sources stated that his surname was Yeongae () and personal name was Somun (), but the majority of sources suggest a one-syllable surname and a three-syllable personal name. (; 594–666) was a powerful mili ...
''.
* Portrayed by
Uhm Tae-woong
Uhm Tae-woong (born April 5, 1974) is a South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in 1998, but initially struggled to emerge from under the shadow of his older sister, popular singer-actress Uhm Jung-hwa. After several years of small roles ...
and
Lee Hyun-woo in the 2009
MBC TV series ''
Queen Seondeok''.
* Portrayed by
Park Sung-woong
Park Sung-woong (; born January 9, 1973) is a South Korean actor. Following his acting debut in ''No. 3'' in 1997, Park has starred in several movies and Korean drama, television series, notably as a gangster in ''New World (2013 film), New Wo ...
in the 2011 MBC TV series ''
Gyebaek''.
* Portrayed by
Kim Yu-seok and
Noh Young-hak
Noh Young-hak (born April 1, 1993) is a South Korean actor. He began his career as a child actor, and has since appeared in several Korean drama, television series.
Filmography Film
Television series
Web
Awards and nominations
Reference ...
in the 2012–2013
KBS1
KBS 1TV is a South Korean free-to-air television channel that launched on 31 December 1961 and is owned by Korean Broadcasting System. The channel offers more serious programming than its sister channel KBS2, and airs with no commercials.
Hi ...
TV series ''
Dream of the Emperor''.
*Appeared in a Korean
MMORPG
A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game.
As in role-playing games (RPGs), the player assumes the role of a Player charac ...
Atlantica Online
''Atlantica Online'' is a free-to-play (F2P) 3D computer graphics, 3D Tactical role-playing game, tactical massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by NDOORS Corporation. The game is currently published bValofe The game' ...
as a playable mercenary character
Hwarang
Hwarang () were an elite warrior group of male youth in Silla, an ancient kingdom of the Korean Peninsula that originated from the mid 6th century and lasted until the early 10th century. There were educational institutions as well as social clu ...
.
*Portrayed by Jang Tae Wong in the 2017
KBS TV series ''
Chronicles of Korea''.
Sources
*McBride, Richard D., II. “Hidden Agendas in the Life Writings of Kim Yusin.” ''Acta Koreana'' 1 (August 1998): 101–142.
*McBride, Richard D., II. “The Structure and Sources of the Biography of Kim Yusin.” ''Acta Koreana'' 16, no. 2 (December 2013): 497–535.
See also
*
Korean history
*
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea or Samhan (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) competed for hegemony over the Korea, Korean Peninsula during the ancient period of History of Korea, Korean history. During the Three Kingdoms period (), many states and statele ...
*
Queen Seondeok (TV series)
''Queen Seondeok'' () is a 2009 South Korean historical drama produced by MBC and Time Box Production for the former's 48th founding anniversary, starring Lee Yo-won, Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Kim Nam-gil, and Park Ye-jin. It chronicl ...
Notes
References
External links
Kim Yusin
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Yu-sin
595 births
673 deaths
Gimhae Kim clan
Korean folk religion
Silla generals
Hwarang
Military history of Korea
People from Gyeongju
People from Jincheon County
Silla Buddhists
Silla people