Certificate of appointment, senior third grade general and royal military aide

This certificate appointed Yang Heon-su a senior third grade general and royal military aide in June of 1858 (ninth year in the reign of King Cheoljong). The honorific title given to Yang with the appointment was jeolchung janggun (literally, general who breaks and charges). The appointment made Yang a dangsanggwan (palace-ascendable official), authorized to ascend to the royal hall to partake in discussions of state affairs with the king. The certificate was issued in the name of the king himself and bears the characters “敎旨” for “edict.”

General Yang Heon-su repelled the French fleet which invaded Ganghwado Island in 1866. He was named the patriotic figure of October 2008 by the War Memorial of Korea. Articles left behind by General Yang Heon-su were donated by his descendants and exhibited during the month. The general’s descendants later donated the articles which had been kept in the family for about 150 years to the War Memorial of Korea, so that more people may view them.