Hong Ta-gu (; 1244–1291) was a Goryeo commander of the Yuan dynasty. His given name was Chun-gi (俊奇; 준기, Jùnqí), but he was more well known by his courtesy name Ta-gu. Born to a northwestern warlord family that defected to the Mongol Empire, Hong Ta-gu led Goryeo forces who had defected in campaigns against Goryeo and Japan. The Hong family dominated the Goryeo defector families in Liaoyang and Shenyang during the latter half of the 13th century.
Early life
Hong Ta-gu, originally named Chun-gi, was born in 1244 to Hong Pok-wŏn, a northwestern Goryeo warlord who defected to the Mongol Empire in 1231. He entered the military at a young age and managed to impress Kublai, who later became the founder of the Yuan dynasty, with his courage and military prowess. Kublai gave Chun-gi the courtesy name of Ta-gu.
Mongol service
Hong Ta-gu was arrested soon after his father's death in 1260 for trying to provoke conflict between Goryeo and the Mongols by saying that the Goryeo king had lied about his intentions to move the capital back to Kaesong. In 1261, Kublai summoned Hong Ta-gu and told him that his father had been unjustly punished. Hong Ta-gu was made chonggwan of the Goryeo warriors. This was probably due to political considerations. There were a few tens of thousands of Goryeo warriors in Liaoyang and Shenyang, and Kublai demanded their loyalty under threat of punishment for their families.