Jo Heon led an armed uprising against the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. He recruited 1,700 civilian fighters from Okcheon and combined forces with Buddhist monk warriors led by Ven. Yeonggyu to recapture the fortress of Cheongju from Japanese control. Jo then took his 700 remaining soldiers to fight the Japanese forces in Geumsan and died in action.

After his death, his followers created a tomb to honor Jo and his 700 fighters and later erected a monument and the Jongyongsa Shrine to honor them.

The tomb, monument and shrine were destroyed by the Japanese during the Japanese colonial rule of the early 20th century and the site was forcibly sold off. After Korea’s liberation from the Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, villagers raised funds and rebuilt the tomb and the shrine in 1952. The original monuments and structures were partially restored in 1971, using parts that villagers hid in the mountains during the Japanese rule.

Location | Uichong-ri, Geumseong-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Foundation | 1592
Purpose | Tomb, Memorial Service

The battle of Ichi was Korea’s first inland victory during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. It was a crucial turning point in the war as it defended the Jeolla-do Province from invaders and contributed to victories in other battles at the fortresses of Cheongjuseong, Jinjuseong and Haengjusanseong.

General Gwon Yul and Hwang Jin achieved victory despite having 1,500 soldiers against 20,000 Japanese invaders.

Location | 191 Daedunsan-ro, Jinsan-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do