Jinju

On October 5th, 1592, the invading Japanese army attacked Jinju Fortress with 30,000 soldiers.  General Kim Si-Min was set to defend the fortress with an army totaling only 3,800 people.  Of these 3,800, many were civilians.  After six days of combat, Jinju Fortress remained under Korean control and the Japanese army was forced to retreat.  The battle was recorded as "The Great Victory in Jinju" and it is one of the most important battles of the Imjin War.

Each year, Jinju holds a lantern festival in commemoration of this victory.  The river, along with the confines of the fortress walls, are adorned with lanterns of all shapes and sizes.  Wobbly footbridges span the river's surface and for 1,000 won, festival goers are able to (slowly) cross the water for a closeup look at some of the lanterns.

Jinju Fortress sprawls the rivers edge and winds its way up into the hills.  After the sun set, we made our way inside.  I'll let the pictures do the talking for me.

The river 

paper cranes

topical

the original John Wayne

the first joke ever told

this guy took all of my money

Kim Si-Min

some guy who followed us around

On the other side of the river was a bamboo forest where it must have been mating season.

At least the tigers were on their best behavior.