Tomb of Ten Thousand Patriotic Martyrs, Namwon

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.272

Category

유적지

Era

조선 선조 30년(1597)

Designated year

1981

Location

남원시, 전북특별자치도— 전라북도 남원시 만인로 3 (향교동, 만인의총)

Coordinates

35.418093, 127.377307

This is the graveyard of those who died during the battle with the invading Japanese force in defense of Namwon Fortress in the 30th year of the reign of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty (1597) when the Japanese invaded Korea for the second time. The Japanese thought that they had lost their first war of aggression in 1592, because they had not been able to occupy the Jeolla-do area, so they set up another plan to advance northwards after conquering the Jeolla-do area during this 2nd invasion. At the end of July in the 30th year of King Seonjo’s reign (1597) a Japanese force of 110,000 soldiers attacked the Hwangseoksanseong and Namwonseong Fortresses. Meanwhile the government had well recognized the importance of Namwon as a strategic point which connected the Jeolla-do and its northern neighboring area, the Chungcheong-do area, so all the people at the Namwonseong Fortress were prepared for its defence. Every one at Namwonseong Fortress including soldiers, government officers and civilians fought bravely against the Japanese invaders, however their defence was unsuccessful, and the fortress was finally occupied by the Japanese Army. More than 10,000 men of were killed during this battle. After the war was over, the bodies of those killed in this battle were buried together in a common place, and Chungnyeolsa Shrine was built in the 4th year of the reign of King Gwanghaegun (1612). It was initially located near Namwon Railway Station, but it soon became surrounded by private houses so was moved to its present location in 1964.

Location