There was a great military leader of Silla who led a major naval victory against Tang China, a powerful dynasty in ancient Chinese history. It was General Kim Sideuk. He brought victory to Silla in the Battle of Gibeolpo. After defeating Goguryeo and Baekje through its alliance with Silla, China tried to subjugate Silla. In the face of a common threat, Silla joined hands with the dispersed people of Goguryeo and Baekje. The tide turned in favor of Silla with its victory in the battles in Maesoseong on the southern shore of the Hantangang River in 675 and in Gibeolpo at the mouth of the Geumgang River in 676. The Battle of Gibeolpo in particular was the greatest naval victory in ancient Korean history because Silla’s naval forces defeated the massive Tang naval forces. Samguksagi or the History of the Three Kingdoms includes a story about this decisive victory led by General Kim Sideuk: “General Kim Sideuk lost the first battle against Tang General Xue Rengui’s forces, but he was victorious and caused over 4,000 casualties in the enemy forces in the subsequent 22 battles. With this victory, Silla took control of Korea’s western sea and ended the seven-year-long war. After this historic victory against Tang China, the superpower in ancient northeast Asia, Silla built the first unified Korean kingdom by uniting the people of Goguryeo and Baekje under the Unified Silla. General Kim Sideuk defended the Korean nation and its identity from an invading foreign enemy. He teaches us a lesson that we should make our own choices for our nation and protect our national identityagainst all odds.