The hostility they felt escalated when Prince Imhae and Sunhwa plundered the province of clothes, foods, and other necessities.

[2] There was a rise in civil unrest due to Japanese exploitation of the residents Ji Dal-won sensed the change of popular opinion and asked Jeong Mun-bu, who had been hiding, to form and lead a righteous army.

[3] In response to the occupation of Kyongsong by the righteous army the Japanese detached 100 scout forces to survey the situation.

Mun-bu posted a notice stating a righteous army had been raised and called for the execution of rebels including Guk Gyeong-in and Jeong Mal-su.

Shin Se-jun, a student of Confucianism living in Hoeryong, set fire to the house of Guk Gyeong-in and killed him.

In late October 1592, Jeong Mun-bu ambushed the Japanese army who were returning from a nearby town that they had looted and slaughtered its residents.

On 22 January, Jeong Mun-bu and his 200 cavalry troops attacked and delivered a devastating blow to the Japanese army in Tanchon, south of Kilju.