Choe Yeong - Military Career

Military Career

Such a man was well suited for military service, and Choi quickly gained the confidence of both his men and his king during numerous battles with Japanese pirates who began raiding the Korean coast around 1350.

At 36 years of age he became a national hero when he successfully put down a rebellion by Jo Il-shin after the insurgents had surrounded the palace, killed many officials and had proclaimed Cho king. Then, in 1355, the Red Turban Rebellion took place in areas of the Mongol-founded Yuan Dynasty that ruled China. As Goryeo was a tributary state of the Yuan since 13th century, Choi Young was sent to help the Yuan forces squash the rebellion, and his success in nearly thirty different battles won him even more fame and favour at home. Upon returning to Korea, he dutifully reported to King Gongmin the internal problems experienced by the waning Yuan Dynasty, which gave the king the idea that the time was right to reclaim some of the northern territories previously lost to the Mongols. Choe fought to recover various towns west of the Yalu River, to the great delight of his king.

He served briefly as the Mayor of P'yŏngyang, where his efforts at increasing crop production and mitigating famine won him even more attention as a national hero. In 1363, he distinguished himself further when a powerful minister named Kim Yon-an tried to overthrow the government. Choi gathered up his forces and defeated a Mongol force of 10,000 which subsequently attacked Goryeo in support of the rebellion.