The Story of Hong Gildong

by Heo Gyun · 2026-08-25

"Are you going to keep increasing your sins and eventually bring misfortune upon the entire household?"

"The nation's strict orders are so severe now, so do not resent me and quickly follow the will of heaven."

Gil-dong knelt and replied.

"Brother, please do not worry."

"Tomorrow, seize and send your younger brother, but choose an officer who has neither parents nor a wife and children to escort me."

"If you do so, there will be a good plan."

The governor wanted to know the reason, but Gil-dong did not answer.

The governor could not understand his true intention, but he selected the officers as Gil-dong had said.

And he sent Gil-dong, leading him, up to Seoul.

When the court heard that Gil-dong was being brought in, they ambushed hundreds of riflemen at Namdaemun.

"When Gil-dong enters the gate, shoot him all at once and capture him."

He gave such an order.

Gil-dong was being brought in like a storm, but how could he not sense the situation?

Crossing the Dongjak-naru ferry, he wrote three characters for 'rain' (雨) and sent them flying into the air.

As Gil-dong entered Namdaemun, the hunters on both sides tried to shoot their guns all at once.

However, each gun barrel was filled with water, and there was nothing they could do, so the plan went awry.

Gil-dong reached outside the palace gate and looked back at the officer who had escorted him, saying,

"Since you have brought me this far, you will not die for that crime."

Then he leaped down from the carriage and walked slowly.

The cavalry of the Five Military Commands galloped their horses, intending to shoot Gil-dong.

However, even though Gil-dong was walking, no matter how much they whipped their horses, how could they catch up with his縮地法 (chukjibeop, a magical ability to shorten distance)?

There was no one among the citizens of the entire city who did not marvel at his miraculous abilities.

On this day, a letter was posted on the four great gates.

"Hong Gil-dong's lifelong wish is to be the Minister of War."

‘If Your Majesty bestows upon this humble subject the grace of the sea and grants me the royal decree of Minister of Personnel, I shall surrender myself.’

A discussion ensued in the court regarding this matter.

One person said,

“Let us grant his wish to appease the hearts of the people.”

Another person said,

“He is a lawless and disloyal bandit.”

“How can we give the position of Grand Marshal of the nation to a scoundrel who has done not an iota of service to the country, but instead has disturbed all the people and caused distress to His Majesty?”

The discussion was chaotic and ultimately no decision was reached.

Then one day,

Gil-dong went to a secluded spot outside Dongdaemun and commanded the Yukgap Sinjang to set up a formation.

Soon, two attendants descended from the sky, bowed, and stood on either side.

Then, an army of heavenly soldiers and horses, whose origin was unknown, instantly formed a battle array.

In the center of the formation, a three-tiered golden altar was built, and Gil-dong was seated upon it.

The might of the army was orderly, and its majesty was like a hoarfrost.

Gil-dong commanded the Hwanggeonyeoksa,

“Seize the confidants of those who slander Gil-dong in the court.”

The Sinjang obeyed the command, and not long after, they dragged in over ten people bound with iron chains.

Their appearance was as if a kite had snatched up chicks.

They were made to kneel below the altar, and their crimes were recounted as he said,

“You have been the worms of the court, deceiving the nation, and you have persistently tried to harm General Hong Gil-dong.”

“Your crime justly deserves beheading, but out of pity for human life, I shall overlook it this time.”

Then, each was given thirty strokes of the military cudgel and driven out, barely escaping death.

Gil-dong again instructed the Sinjang,

“If I were to enter the court and take charge of the law, I would first eliminate unlawfulness and demolish the temples in each province.”

"However, I will soon be leaving Joseon."

"Nevertheless, it is the land of my parents, so even if I am ten thousand li away in a foreign land, I will not forget it."

"Now, go to each temple and seize all the monks who are bewitching the world and deceiving the people."

"Furthermore, among the children of the prime ministers' families in Seoul, there are those who, trusting in their power, deceive the poor people and seize their wealth."

"There are many unrighteous deeds and arrogant hearts, but the nine-layered palace is so deep that the sunlight cannot reach the bottom of the bucket."

"Treacherous officials have become the nation's worms, obscuring the sagacity of the king, and there are countless deplorable matters."

"Seize every single one of those who pretend to be heroes in Seoul."

The divine generals heard the command and flew into the air.

A short while later, they apprehended over a hundred monks and about ten children of powerful families.

Gil-dong, with dignity, raised his voice and questioned each one about their crimes.