Sŏ Hŭi facts for kids

Sŏ Hŭi (Hangul: 서희; Hanja: 徐熙; Korean pronunciation: [səːhi]; 942 – 8 August 998) was an important Korean leader and diplomat during the early days of the Goryeo period. His special name was Yŏmyun and his name after death was Changwi. Sŏ Hŭi is best known for his amazing diplomatic skills. He convinced 60,000 Khitan soldiers to leave Goryeo without a big war.

Sŏ Hŭi's Family Background

Sŏ Hŭi came from the Icheon Sŏ clan, a powerful family. His father, Sŏ P'il [ko], was a very high-ranking official during the time of King Gwangjong. He was like the Secretary-General, one of the most important jobs in the government.

His family, the Sŏ clan, was a strong local family called hojok in the Icheon area. This area is in what is now Gyeonggi Province.

Just like his father, Sŏ Hŭi became a jaesang, which was a term for high-ranking officials in ancient Korea. His sons, Sŏ Nul [ko] and Sŏ Yu-gŏl, also followed in his footsteps. They became important government ministers. One of Sŏ Nul's daughters even became a queen by marrying King Hyeonjong. This made Sŏ Hŭi's family related to the king! With such a strong family background and his own skills, Sŏ Hŭi had a very successful career.

Sŏ Hŭi's Career and Diplomacy

After passing a special government test called gwageo in 960, Sŏ Hŭi started working for the government. He held several important positions, including roles in military affairs and the Chancellory. Eventually, he reached the highest position in the Supreme Council.

Besides his work in Goryeo, Sŏ Hŭi also traveled to China in 972. He played a key role in making sure Goryeo and the Chinese Song Dynasty had good diplomatic relations again. These relations had been broken for over ten years.

Negotiating with the Khitan Army

Sŏ Hŭi talking with the Khitan general, Xiao Sunning.

Sŏ Hŭi is most famous for his amazing diplomatic talks with General Xiao Sunning of the Liao Dynasty. These talks stopped a huge invasion by the Khitan army.

In 993, the Khitan army, led by General Xiao, captured a county called Pongsan. They forced Goryeo's soldiers to retreat. General Xiao then sent a message demanding Goryeo surrender. He said his country was going to "unify land on all four directions." He also claimed Goryeo wasn't taking care of its people.

At first, King Seongjong and his advisors thought about giving up land north of Pyongyang to the Khitan. They planned to draw a new border.

However, Sŏ Hŭi believed that the Khitan were actually "afraid of us." He strongly asked the king to "return to the capital and let us, your officers, wage one more battle." Sŏ Hŭi reminded everyone that the land the Khitan now held used to belong to Goryeo's ancestors, the Koguryŏ kingdom.

After Goryeo's forces successfully stopped further Khitan advances at the Battle of Anyung Fortress, Sŏ Hŭi bravely went to the Khitan camp to negotiate. Here's a part of their conversation:

• General Xiao: Your country started in Silla land. Koguryŏ land is ours. But you have taken it. Your country is connected to us by land, but you cross the sea to serve China. Because of this, our great country came to attack you. If you give us land and become our ally, everything will be fine.
• Sŏ Hŭi: That's not right. Our country is actually the old Koguryŏ, which is why it's called Goryeo and has its capital in P'yŏngyang. If you want to talk about borders, your country's Eastern Capital is actually within our borders! Also, the land on both sides of the Yalu River is ours, but the Jurchens have stolen it. If you tell us to kick out the Jurchens, get back our old land, build forts, and open the roads, then how could we not have friendly relations with you?

Sŏ Hŭi returned to his king with a great agreement. He had convinced General Xiao to work together to "exterminate the Jurchens" and take their land. This would give Goryeo and Liao a closer land border and better relations. Sŏ Hŭi also hoped that Goryeo would eventually get back all its land, even though the Jurchens only allowed them to have land south of the Yalu River at that time.

After this amazing negotiation, Sŏ Hŭi helped build up the defenses in the newly expanded territory. This work helped Goryeo win big victories in later conflicts with the Khitan, even after Sŏ Hŭi had passed away.

Later Life and Death

Sŏ Hŭi died in 998, on August 8th. His diplomatic achievements left a lasting impact on Goryeo's history.

See also

• List of Goryeo people
• Goryeo
• Goryeo-Khitan Wars