Hong Gyong Nae

Born 1780 in Yongam District, Pyongyan Province; died April 1812. Organizer of a large peasant rebellion against the Yi dynasty that lasted from December 1811 to April 1812 in northwestern Korea (modern Pyongyan-pukto Province.

The son of a lesser yangban (aristocrat), Hong Gyong Nae suffered the discrimination to which migrants from northwestern Korea were subjected by the aristocracy of the capital. He failed the state examinations and was not permitted to obtain an official post. In 1811, Hong Gyong Nae recruited an army from the peasants and miners of Pyongyan Province, who had become increasingly restive at mounting feudal exploitation. He proceeded to win several victories over government troops and captured the cities of Kasan, Pakchon, Kwaksan, Sonchon, Taechon, Yong-chon, Cholsan, and Chongju. Hong Gyong Nae was killed during a battle for the fortress at Chongju.