Junior second grade civil official, third deputy commander of the Yongyangwi Military Command, and Deputy Commander of the Five Military Commands Headquarters

This certificate of appointment issued in December of 1869 (sixth year in the reign of King Gojong) appointed Yang Heon-su as a junior second grade civil official, third deputy commander of the Yongyangwi Military Command, and deputy commander of the Five Military Commands Headquarters. Whereas gaseon daebu (the title conferred on Yang with the appointment) was a junior second grade post, the third deputy commander of the Yongyangwi Military Command was a senior fourth grade military post. The character “行” denotes Yang was serving a post beneath his official grade. The Yongyangwi Military Command was one of the five central military commands of Joseon. It was also referred to as the Jwawi. T The Owi Dochongbu (Five Military Commands Headquarters) was the supreme military command over the five military commands of Joseon: Euiheungwi, Yongyangwi, Hobunwi, Chungjwawi, and Chungmuwi. The deputy commander was a junior second grade post supervising the administrative affairs of the command headquarters.

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.