Uprising of Kim Sa-mi and Hyo-sim

Kim Sa-mi of Unmun (Cheongdo) and Hyo-sim of Chojeon (Ulsan) joined forces in Gyeongsang, in the largest peasant uprising of the military era.

It broke out in 1193 under King Myeongjong, while Yi Ui-min held power. Amid the turmoil of military rule, peasants crushed by local officials’ exactions rose up, and Yi Ui-min, a native of Gyeongju in the old Silla heartland, was said to have been in secret contact with them. Kim Sa-mi surrendered the next year and was executed, and Hyo-sim’s band collapsed after a heavy defeat at Milseong (Miryang).

Under the Choe regime some revolts even sought to revive the old kingdoms: Silla at Gyeongju in 1202, Goguryeo under Choe Gwang-su at Seogyeong in 1217, and Baekje under Yi Yeon-nyeon at Damyang in 1237.