Movements - 44
Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE

Pattern Meaning

GE-BAEK is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek 
Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and 
strict military discipline.



In 655, Baekje and Goguryeo joined forces to attack Silla, although they were eventually driven back when Silla received aid 
from Tang Dynasty China. In 660, when a huge united army of Silla and the Chinese invaded Baekje, General Gyebaek 
organised 5,000 soldiers of the highest morale and courage to meet them in battle. He knew before he set out that his army 
was outnumbered and that his efforts would be futile, but he did not hesitate to try to defend his country, reportedly stating "I 
would rather die than be a slave of the enemy." He then killed his wife and family to prevent them from falling into the hands 
of opposing forces, and to prevent the thought of them to influence his actions or cause him to falter in battle.

His forces won four small initial battles, but then he was forced to move his forces to block the advance of General Kim 
Yu-shin on the Baekje capital, Buyeo. The two generals met on the plains of Hwangsan Field, in present day Hamyang, near 
Chiri Mountain. Gyebaek's forces fought bravely but they were outnumbered ten to one and, in the end, he and his men were 
annihilated.
General Ge-Baek is remembered for his determination to do battle despite insurmountable odds.
 
The king of BaekJe; Uija-wang indulged in such revelries that he ignored the approaching forces of
Tang and Silla and did not mobilise his army to defend his country.
 
 General Ge-Baek rounded up his own troops and although heavily outnumbered by ten to one with his
army of 5000 men, he is reported to have fought valiantly; it was purely the large numbers of enemy
forces that led to his defeat.
 
 It is recorded that as he knew he would ultimately be beaten; to focus his mind on the battle and to
prevent the possible capture or torture of his family, General Ge-Baek had his family put to death
before he set out for war.
 
Remembered for his bravery and loyalty, Ge-Baek gave his life to defend his country reputedly saying,
‘I would rather die than be a slave of the enemy’.
 
After engaging General Kim Yu-Sin on the plains of Hwangsan Field, Ge-Baek ordered his men
to ‘hold or die’.
 
In his book, ‘The History of TaeKwonDo Patterns’ (see Bibliography) Richard Mitchell, describes
Ge-Baek’s shock on capturing a young Hwa-Rang, Kwan Chang; aged just 16, the son of Kim Yoo-Sin’s
assistant General Kim Pumil.
 
Kwan Chang had charged headlong into the BaekJe camp, his youthfulness is said to have reminded
Ge-Baek of his own son and instead of killing him, Ge-Baek let him return to his own lines, only to have
him captured once again the following day.
 
Kwan Chang escaped his guards, ‘killing them with his hands and feet, and then attacked the Paekche
general’s second in command. With a flying reverse turning kick to the head of the commander,
who sat eight feet high atop his horse, Kwan Chang killed him.’ (Ibid.)
 
Ge-Baek then had Kwan Chang put to death and his body returned to the enemy lines, where his proud
 father still fought on.
 
Ge-Baek engaged the enemy and drove them back four times, but on the fifth attack,
General Ge-Baek was killed and Ge-Baek’s forces were then utterly defeated,
heralding the end of the BaekJe Dynasty.
​