General Shin Dolseok Historic Site

Commemorating the spirit of a general who protected our land with his blood. What spirit and courage could have led a young man to such a great accomplishment? "He was very tall and fat. He had a large and wide face. His complexion was dark and he had smallpox scars on his face." This is a short record of his appearances. His accomplishments can't be credited just to the passion of youth passion because he as well organized, detailed and exceptional.

Birthplace of General Shin Dolseok
In front of the village hall in Dogok-2-ri, Chuksan-myeon, there are two small straw-thatched houses with wells. Shin Dolseok grew up in the common class. But, 'commoner' was just a social status. He was intelligent and learned how to read and write. He studied books on military tactics and learned military arts. When the country fell in danger, his patriotism led him to organize loyal troops. That was when he was nineteen.

When his father heard he raised loyal troops, he sold all his fields and helped his son. Shin Dolseok raised loyal troops with about 100 soldiers in his hometown, Yeonghae. The troops faced the danger of being dispersed, but Shin Dolseok reorganized them. There were advantages to being from the common class. Farmers, hunters and people of the lowest class participated in Yeongneunguijin Army. In the following year, 1907, Shin Dolseok led 3,000 soldiers. That also seemed to be possible because he was from the common class. He achieved many victories in Yeongyang, Yeonghae, Yeongju and Uljin. Shin Dolseok's troops had strict rules and were welcome wherever they went. They achieved remarkable accomplishments.

Even for General Shin Dolseok, there is a crisis. His wife and son are captured and tortured. When the Japanese strengthen their attempts for subjugation, the loyal troops face a crisis. In 1908, he announces the dispersal of the loyal troops and goes into seclusion. An enemy blinded by a reward finds him and kills him. He was thirty at the time.

"A wayfarer stands on the pavilion and thinks about the mother country."
"At the age of 27, what have I achieved?"
"The autumn wind arouses deep emotion."

General Shin Dolseok Historic Site
His remains are in the patriots' lot at the National Cemetery in Seoul. In 1999, a memorial was raised and a historic site was established in Dogok-1-ri, Chuksan-myeon (between the birthplace and National Route 7). The general's spirit is enshrined at Chunguisa Shrine. You can feel his patriotic spirit at Chunguisa Shrine, dongjae and seojae. Every year in June, a national archery competition is held at Hwarimjeong to commemorate his spirit.

Shin Dolseok deplored the reality of his country. At a young age, he raised loyal troops and fought against the Japanese. What he couldn't blossom then seems to be blossoming now with the peach flowers.

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