Volta
Conflict1559–1562

Im Kkeok-jeong’s Rebellion

Under King Myeongjong, Im Kkeok-jeong, a butcher’s son from Yangju, raided government offices and granaries from Mount Guwol in Hwanghae for over three years before his capture.

Goseokjeong on the Hantan River, Cheorwon — legend says Im Kkeok-jeong hid here
Goseokjeong on the Hantan River, Cheorwon — legend says Im Kkeok-jeong hid here

Jjw · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

With in-laws of the king in power after the 1545 purge and magistrates squeezing the people, banditry spread. Im’s band attacked offices across Hwanghae and Gyeonggi and sometimes shared seized grain with the poor; he was caught and executed in the first month of 1562.

The court historian blamed the bandits on rapacious magistrates, and Yi Ik counted Im among Joseon’s three great outlaws with Hong Gil-dong and Jang Gil-san.

Show on the map

The map in 1559

Open the full map

OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

States and rulers at the time
Joseon — Myeongjong

People

  • Myeongjong1534 – 1567

    monarch · Thirteenth king of Joseon, enthroned at twelve under the regency of his mother Queen Munjeong, while her brother Yun Won-hyeong held power

  • Im Kkeok-jeong1562

    leader · Outlaw leader of butcher (baekjeong) origin from Yangju who raided government offices from Mt. Guwol in Hwanghae under Myeongjong

Before and after

Earlier
1556 Office Land Abolished; Salaries Only
Later
1568 Yi Hwang’s Seonghak sipdo

Related works

Dramatized works (films, dramas, novels) may differ from the historical record.