Isabu was a military general and politician of

Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of ...

during the 6th century. According to ''

Samguk Sagi ''Samguk Sagi'' (, ''History of the Three Kingdoms'') is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The ''Samguk Sagi'' is written in Classical Chinese, the written language of the literati of ancient Kore ...

'', he is the fourth generation descendant of

Naemul of Silla Naemul of Silla (died 402) (r. 356–402) was the 17th ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the nephew of King Michu. He married Michu's daughter, Lady Boban. He is given the title ''Isageum'', the same one borne by earlier rule ...

. He was also known as Taejong. He is best remembered today for his role in subjugating the island nation of Usan-guk. Usan-guk is the modern-day Ulleungdo, an island located in

Sea of Japan The Sea of Japan is the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the mainland of the Russian Far East. The Japanese archipelago separates the sea from the Pacific Ocean. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it h ...

(East Sea). Although frequently referred to as "Isabu", his family name is written as Kim in the ''

''. He was the 4th generation descendant of King Naemul, which also provides direct proof that his family name was Kim. But in

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, duri ...

, his name is Park I-Jong (朴伊宗).

Achievement

During the reign of Jijeung, Isabu was first appointed as the governor () of Siljik province (실직주), modern-day

Samcheok Samcheok () is a city in Gangwon-do, South Korea. History Ancient age & Three Kingdom * It was called "Siljikguk or Siljikgokguk" * 102 under the rule of Silla ( Pasa 23rd) * 468 under the rule of Goguryeo ( Jangsu 56th) * 505 The name changed ...

. Then, he was appointed as a governor of Haseulla, which is modern-day Gangwon. This was when Silla, including its inland regions, was frequently exposed to the piracy of Usan-guk’s people. Due to the harsh geographical condition of Usan-guk, people of Usan-guk believed that Silla would not invade its island. Still, Isabu decided to subjugate this island nation. However, such tough geographical condition was not the only obstacle. As Usan-guk is an island nation composed of independent tribes that rely on fishing for living, the people of Usan-guk turned out to be somewhat uncontrollable and aggressive and thus hard to conquer. In order to overcome such obstacles and conquer this island nation, Isabu came up with an idea to trick people of Usan-guk into surrendering. He made large wooden lions and loaded them on battle ships. He threatened the people of Usan-guk, saying that he would release the lions if they don’t surrender. Eventually, his trick worked and the people of Usan-guk surrendered. Thanks to Isabu, Usan-guk was subjugated to Silla in 512. Isabu further expanded

's territory after gaining supreme military power in 541, as far as former

Baekje Baekje or Paekche (, ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BC to 660 AD. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje was founded by Onjo of Baekje, Onjo, the third son of Gogurye ...

and

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC–668 AD) ( ) also called Goryeo (), was a Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Northeast China. At its peak of power, Goguryeo controlled mos ...

territory that reached far north of present-day

Hamgyong Hamgyong Province () was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Hamgyŏng was located in the northeast of Korea. The provincial capital was Hamhŭng. Names The province was first established as Yonggil ( ko, 영길, , '' ...

. Isabu also subjugated Daegaya that put an end to the

Gaya confederacy Gaya (, ) was a Korean confederacy of territorial polities in the Nakdong River basin of southern Korea, growing out of the Byeonhan confederacy of the Samhan period. The traditional period used by historians for Gaya chronology is AD 42–53 ...

and thus, consolidated Silla's power on southeastern part of Korea.

Research ship

A flagship research ship of South Korea, Isabu, is named after him. Due to its name, researchers at Japan’s National Marimte Research Institute agency have been instructed by the Japanese government not to participate in any collaborations or cruises involving the ship.

Popular culture

* Portrayed by

Park Seo-joon Park Seo-joon (born Park Yong-kyu; December 16, 1988) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his starring roles in the television series ''Kill Me, Heal Me'' (2015), ''She Was Pretty'' (2015), '' Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth'' (2016� ...

in the 2016-2017

KBS2 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, ...

TV series '' Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth''.

Achievement

Research ship

Popular culture

Notes

See also