Gyebaek, the Great General of Baekje

[Narration]
Do you know the story about Sparta’s King Leonidas, who led 300 Spartans in a battle against a million Persian soldiers? The story was made into the movie titled 300. Then, do you know that Baekje also had a great general? His name was Gyebaek, and this is a replica of his house. Let’s listen to the story of the time when General Gyebaek and his elite troops fought against the invading troops of Silla.

In 660AD, Gyebaek fought with just 5,000 soldiers against 50,000 invading troops from Silla. Standing before his soldiers, he delivered a rousing speech.

[Gyebaek]
Many years ago, 5,000 soldiers from the state of Yue in China defeated 700,000 troops from the state of Wu. If we are prepared to die for our kingdom, there is no reason why we cannot win this battle! My leadership, together with your desperate courage, will give us the strength to defeat the 50,000 Silla troops, and Baekje will emerge victorious!

[Narration]
It was actually a hopeless war. Before entering the battlefield, Gyebaek stopped by his house to kill his wife and children, choosing an honorable death over losing their kingdom and risking enslavement. Wearing his blood-stained armor, Gyebaek ran towards the battlefield, thus beginning one of the fiercest battles in the history of Korea.

The desperate fighting by Baekje resulted in four consecutive victories, thereby raising the morale of Baekje’s soldiers. For its part, Silla dispatched a lone 16-year-old soldier to the enemy camp as part of the Silla general’s secret scheme to boost his troops’ morale. The young soldier was apprehended by Baekje soldiers, but when General Gyebaek saw the brave young soldier, he exclaimed:

[Gyebaek]
How could Silla send a soldier as young as you to this cruel battlefield? I do not want to spill your young blood on Baekje’s land. I will let you return alive.

[Narration]
However, following the young soldier’s return to the Silla camp, Silla troops, including the young soldier, again attacked Baekje. Gyebaek could not spare his life twice and so he cut off the boy soldier’s head and sent it to Silla. The death of the 16-year-old boy changed the atmosphere of battle completely.
The grueling battle ended at last with the death of General Gyebaek and a victory for Silla. There’s a saying that a winner is remembered but a loyalist is permanently imprinted on the mind. Gyebaek, the last loyalist of Baekje and a great symbol of devotion and fidelity, is honored here.