Pak Chin

Pak Chin (Korean: 박진; Hanja: 朴晉, 25th day, 8th month of 1560 – 30th day, 3rd month of 1597) was a Korean military leader of the mid-Joseon period. He was best known for his service during the Imjin War, particularly as Army Commander of Left Gyeongsang Province, where he oversaw the reorganization of provincial defenses and led campaigns to recover territory from Japanese forces. Born in 1560 in Miryang, Pak came from a military family and entered official service through special recommendation. After passing the military examination in 1584, he held various posts before being appointed magistrate of Miryang in 1592, shortly before the outbreak of the Imjin War. During the initial Japanese advance, he participated in defensive actions at Sosan and Miryang and was subsequently promoted to Army Commander of Left Gyeongsang Province. From mid-1592 onward, Pak directed efforts to rebuild command structures in Left Gyeongsang Province. Operating from Andong and Angang, he coordinated regular troops and righteous armies, supported operations to recapture Yeongcheon, and participated in subsequent campaigns to retake Gyeongju. He later served in additional regional commands, including Right Gyeongsang Province, Jeolla Province, and Hwanghae Province. Pak died in 1597 from injuries sustained during the war and in an assault by a Ming general. Although initially excluded from the list of Sŏnmu Merit Subjects, he was posthumously enrolled in 1613 as a third-class Wisŏng Merit Subjects and granted the title of Prince Ŭngch'ŏn. His tomb in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, is designated as a Provincial Monument.