Muminsa (Namhae)

‘A shrine honoring General Choi Young, a loyalist who protected his people.’ Muminsa Temple is a shrine dedicated to General Choi Young. About 40 minutes after passing Namhae Bridge, Mijo-myeon, at the end of Namhae-gun, Muminsa Temple is located on the hill on the left overlooking the beautiful Mijo Port. General Choi Young was born in the 4th year of the reign of King Chungsuk (1317) as the 5th generation descendant of Choi Yu-cheong, a famous loyalist of Goryeo. In 1358, Yanggwang became a Japanese commander in Jeolla-do and was a famous general who achieved great results in defeating Japanese pirates invading the west and south coasts. In 1380, he became Haesudotongsa and patrolled the Samnam region to prevent Japanese invasions. In 1388, he became Mun Hashi-jung, the current Prime Minister. General Choi Young became a minister of culture and drew up a plan to conquer Liaodong, which decided the fate of himself and the Goryeo Dynasty. He discussed in secret with the king and decided to help the Yuan Dynasty in conquering Liaodong. Choi Young, Paldo Dotongsa, Lee Seong-gye, Woogun Dotongsa, and Cho Min-su, Left Gundotongsa. The 30,000-strong Liaodong Conquest Army formed in this way went on an expedition.

Yi Seong-gye, who was ambitious to overcome the chaos of the late Goryeo Dynasty and build a new dynasty, staged a historic retreat from Wihwa Island and dethroned the king. General Choi Young also ended his eventful life at the hands of Lee Seong-gye. It is recorded that General Choi Young, during the reign of King U of the Goryeo Dynasty, toured the Namhaegun Pyeongsanpo naval camp (where Manho was stationed; the current naval base) and then stopped at Mijo Port to encourage the naval forces. Cheomsa (3rd rank) who guarded Mijojin Port had a dream one day. An old man appeared in my dream. The old man said, “General Choi Young’s portrait and sword are on the beach. Find them and take good care of them.” Cheomsa woke up from his dream and told the story of his dream to General Bong, the head of the water gate, and instructed him to search for it. General Bong quickly went to the beach and found a wooden chest. When I opened the lid, I saw that it contained a portrait of General Choi Young and a sword. Cheomsa wrapped it in straw and placed it there, but one day a fire suddenly broke out and the portrait flew up. And the portrait was placed in the current location of Muminsa Temple. Cheomsa built a small shrine here. And the name was ‘Muminsa’. To honor the general who sacrificed his life to protect the country, ancestral rites are held twice in the spring and fall.