A Study on the a general of the Ming Dynasty Monument built during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592
Authors:   The Korean Society of History of Historiography, Choi Myoung-jin 
Published: January 2024

This thesis focuses on the Gongju Myeongguk Sam three memorial stones, which was built to commemorate the general of the Ming Dynasty, which came as a volunteer during the general Invasion of Korea in 1592, from a regional ersective. A monument honoring a great general who participated in the Imjin War was built nationwide from 1597 to 1600. This period coincides with the time when the Japanese troops began to invade due to the general and the Ming troops withdrew. Mangilsaeunbi Monument, Wigwanimjebi Monument, and guerrilla leader Namgong Jongdeokbi Monument, built in Gongju, are one of the monuments to general in the Ming Dynasty built during this period. The three memorial stones are collectively called 'Princess Myeongguk Samgujang'. It was built in March and April of 1599 (the 30th year of King Seonjo's reign) along the Geumgang River in Gongju, and is now relocated to Gongsanseong Fortress. The reason why Gongju Myeongguk Three Equipment is drawing attention is because of the construction subject. Nearly 20 people from the Gongju area at the time were named on the monument, leaving their presence as they participated in the construction of the monument. There is a clear difference from other local cases in which only the names of one or two inscription writers are engraved. Nevertheless, until now, Myeongguk Samgujang has only been viewed from the perspective of Jaejo-eun's idea related to the Imjin War and a symbolic monument commemorating historical events, but there has been no advanced research on the subject of the monument's construction.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Gongju was an administrative and military stronghold in Chungcheong-do and a geographical location, and is also deeply related to the Imjin War. Based on his experience as an admiral in Gongju, 1,600 people gathered when he recruited volunteers from Goma Naru, Gongju. Gwanghaegun led the group and stayed for about eight months, and Ming troops were stationed several times during the war due to the smooth advantage of supplying military supplies. I think it is possible to reveal the specificity of the regional aspect by tracking the process of the monument being built under the leadership of Gongju people with such a special environment and experience and looking at the faces and networks of the participants.
The names of the characters classified by the names of the groups called Jinsa, Hyanggwan, and Win-Win are engraved on the Myeongguk Samgujang. As a result of examining their faces, it was found that they were the students of Hyanggwan, Jinsa, and Hyanggyo, which were registered in Gongju Hyangan. In addition, the construction of a monument was promoted under the leadership of Hyanggwan, a leading local clan, and it is understood that win-win and Shinshi, who led the gathering and coalition of local public opinion, participated in this. In addition, most of the characters were identified as the Imjin War and direct and indirect activities. Hyanggwan did not spare economic support, such as providing food for not only Ming troops stationed in Gongju, but also government troops, and he also participated in the righteous army himself. In the case of win-win, not all participants' records were identified due to the limitations of the data, but some figures were identified as having worked in the righteous army in the early days of the Imjin War or participated in the battle with Jungbong Joheon, and a series of activities related to Joheon.