Chinju Things to Do

This is my favourite story from Jinju. The shrine commemorates the action of Nongae during the Imjin War. She was a courtesan who's lover was slain during the siege of the fortess. When she was called to entertain the Japanese generals at Chokseongnu Pavillion she led the general Keyamura Rokusuke to the cliff, embraced him and cast herself into the river killing them both.

Kim Simin was a Korean general during the Joseon period. He is best remembered for successfully defending Jinjuseong during the Imjin War. He was killed in action during the siege when he was hit with a bullet to the side of his head. In 1604, he was awarded the posthumous title Sangrakgun.

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Located inside the walls of Chinju Fortress this museum is worth perusing. It was opened in November 1984 and it's initial purpose was to introduce relics from Korea's ancient Gaya culture. However it changed it's role from January 1998 and now accomadates an exhibition under the theme of the Imjin War.

Chinju Fortress is the most important historical site in the city and it also has Chinju National Museum within it's walls.

It was constructed in the Three Kingdom era in Korea which ran from 57BC to 668.

Jinjuseong Fortress was the scene of two of the most important battles of the Imjin War, the Japanese invasion of Korea which took place between 1592 and 1598 and ultimately ended in defeat for the Japanese.

In October 1592 General Kim Simin with his 3,800 men defeated a Japanese army of 30,000. One of the great Korean victories during the Japanese invasion. However the Japanese returned the following year with 100,000 troops and captured Jinjuseong leaving more than 70,000 soldiers and civilians dead.

This temple was built in the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Japanese invasion it was used as a base for the monk soldiers. It was recently rebuilt to admire the spirit of the monks who died.

12 Porus were set up in 1607 to defend Jinjuseong but only 1 Poru was rebuilt in 1969 when restoration took place.

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This was the northern command post in the castle. It was destroyed by fire in the Japanese invasion of 1592-1598 but was rebuilt in 1618.