※ The image below is not the actual Cheongcheon River.
Since the Cheongcheon River is currently located in North Korean territory and cannot be easily accessed or photographed, a different river with a similar atmosphere has been used as a substitute image.
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The Cheongcheon River is now beyond reach, lying within what is today North Korea.
A grey heron stands quietly along the riverbank, seemingly indifferent as it searches for prey.
In this river basin—neither particularly wide nor rugged—the course of East Asian history was once decided.
Behind this tranquil natural landscape lie the fierce and decisive moments that shattered the ambitions of the Sui dynasty’s 1.13 million-strong army. |
Eulji Mundeok: A Legendary Korean Hero Who Changed the Course of East Asian History
Eulji Mundeok was a great general of Goguryeo who defeated the invasion of the Sui dynasty, the most powerful empire in East Asia during the 7th century, using strategy alone. Through the Battle of Salsu, he saved his nation and hastened the fall of an empire. This article offers a brief yet profound look into his life and historical significance.
Introduction: Why Eulji Mundeok Matters Today
Dear readers,
Today, I would like to introduce a figure who has been remembered with deep respect and reverence by Koreans for over a thousand years. He left behind neither a glorious noble lineage nor an extensive personal biography. Yet through a single war, he altered the fate of his nation and the flow of world history. That figure is Eulji Mundeok, the great general of Goguryeo.
World history is filled with heroes and commanders, but there are few cases in which overwhelming disparities in national power and military strength were overcome solely through strategy and patience, ultimately shattering the ambitions of a mighty empire. Eulji Mundeok is one such rare historical figure.
For reference, Goguryeo was one of the Three Kingdoms of ancient Korea and is considered the origin of the name “Korea” as it is known today. Since the Goguryeo period, the Korean Peninsula has been referred to as “Korea” in the Western world, a name that has continued to the present day.
In this article, I aim to explain calmly and clearly, for international readers, who Eulji Mundeok was, what kind of state the Sui dynasty was, and why the Battle of Salsu holds meaning far beyond that of a single military engagement.
1.Goguryeo and the Sui Dynasty: Two Powers Destined to Collide
In the early 7th century, when Eulji Mundeok was active, the international order of East Asia stood at a major turning point. Goguryeo, which ruled northern parts of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria, had grown into a formidable military state through the reigns of King Gwanggaeto the Great and King Jangsu, establishing itself as one of the major powers of East Asia.
Meanwhile, on the Chinese mainland, the Sui dynasty emerged after ending centuries of division. The Sui became the first dynasty in Chinese history to fully reunify the north and south, and Emperor Yang of Sui regarded himself as the supreme ruler of the civilized world based on this achievement.
As a highly centralized empire, the Sui demanded tribute and submission from neighboring states and pursued an expansionist policy. This inevitably posed a direct threat to Goguryeo. Although both sides attempted to maintain diplomatic peace, military tensions continued to escalate.
2.Who Was Eulji Mundeok? A Great General with Few Records
Eulji Mundeok served as a general during the reign of King Yeongyang of Goguryeo, and his name is recorded in the Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms). Surprisingly, however, very little is known about his family background, birthplace, or most of his life.
What historical records do tell us is that he was calm, swift in judgment, exceptionally skilled in strategy, and talented in writing. In the Chinese historical chronicle Zizhi Tongjian, his name appears in a different transcription, which has led to various theories about his origins.
Yet what truly matters is not his lineage or background, but the choices he made and the outcomes he produced in history. Eulji Mundeok is remembered because, through one decisive war, he etched his name permanently into history.
3.The Year 612: The Beginning of an Unprecedented Invasion
In the year 612, Emperor Yang of Sui personally led a massive invasion of Goguryeo. According to Chinese historical records, the number of combat troops alone reached approximately 1.13 million. When logistical and support personnel are included, the total force is estimated to have numbered several million.
Such a large-scale mobilization is extremely rare even in world history. This demonstrates how determined Emperor Yang was to completely subjugate Goguryeo through this campaign.
However, wars are not decided by numbers alone. A massive army also brings enormous logistical burdens and command difficulties. Eulji Mundeok clearly recognized and exploited this fundamental weakness.
4.The Essence of Strategy: Exhausting the Enemy Without Direct Confrontation
When a Sui expeditionary force of 300,000 troops advanced toward Pyongyang, the Goguryeo army avoided a decisive frontal battle and instead focused on fortress-based defensive operations. This was not an act of fear, but a carefully calculated strategy.
Eulji Mundeok deliberately allowed repeated minor defeats, lulling the enemy into complacency while gradually drawing the Sui forces deeper into Goguryeo territory. Historical records note that he fought seven engagements in a single day and intentionally lost them all, clearly revealing his strategic intent.
During this process, the Sui army suffered severe food shortages, extreme fatigue from long marches, and a sharp decline in morale and fighting spirit.
5.The Battle of Salsu: A Decisive Moment That Changed the War
In July of 612, as the Sui army began its retreat and attempted to cross the Salsu River—known today as the Cheongcheon River—Eulji Mundeok launched the long-awaited counterattack.
Caught by surprise while halfway across the river, the Sui troops fell into chaos as their formations collapsed. In the ensuing confusion, they were utterly overwhelmed.
Out of the 300,000-strong expeditionary force, only about 2,700 soldiers managed to return alive. This was not merely a victory, but a catastrophic defeat that completely reversed the course of the war.
6.After the Battle of Salsu: Accelerating the Fall of an Empire
The defeat at Salsu inflicted irreversible damage on the Sui dynasty. Nevertheless, Emperor Yang refused to abandon his ambitions and continued to launch reckless military campaigns.
As a result, rebellions and uprisings spread rapidly within the empire, and the Sui dynasty soon entered the path toward collapse.
From a historical perspective, Eulji Mundeok was not simply a general who won a single battle. He was a figure whose actions became a decisive catalyst in the downfall of an empire.
Conclusion: Why Eulji Mundeok Is Still Honored Today
Eulji Mundeok left behind neither dazzling political power nor a long reign. Yet at the moment when his nation faced its greatest peril, he protected Goguryeo through calm judgment and unshakable strategic wisdom.
For this reason, Koreans remember Eulji Mundeok not merely as a military commander, but as a national savior and a symbol of wisdom.
In today’s world, which once again faces an era of uncertainty and conflict, the story of Eulji Mundeok reminds us of something far more important than military victory alone: the value of strategic thinking and the human attitude toward crisis.
This is why, even after more than a thousand years, the name Eulji Mundeok continues to live on.
Even today, the legacy of Eulji Mundeok remains close to everyday life in Seoul. A statue of the general stands near the rear entrance of Seoul Children’s Grand Park in Neung-dong, and the well-known district of Eulji-ro derives its name from his family name.
Thank you, as always, for reading until the end. I look forward to meeting you again soon with new content.
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