What is the secret of organizations that achieved great results with minimal size?

 

South Korea Achieved Maximum Success with the Smallest Delegation at the 2024 Paris Olympics

At the Paris Olympics, the Korean delegation secured 13 gold medals, far exceeding their initial goal, and ranked 8th overall. From the very first day of the competition, Korea garnered global attention by hunting medals in shooting, fencing, and archery. Despite sending the fourth smallest delegation in its history due to failing to qualify for several team ball sports, the concerns were proven unfounded. Like the proud Korean athletes who achieved the maximum success with the smallest team, let's look into historical cases where small-scale organizations achieved great success.

Source: Naver Image - The fierce battle between the Jin Dynasty army and the Mongol army at Yehuling

The Battle of Yehuling, which Marked the Beginning of the Mongol Empire

Until the 19th century, the Mongolian Plateau in northern China was divided among various forces, leading to a long civil war. The emergence of Genghis Khan, the conqueror of the world, brought new winds to the Mongolian steppe. As he unified Mongolia, he set his sights on attacking the Jin Dynasty, which had previously sown discord among Mongolian factions. The Jin Dynasty was established by the Jurchens who had risen in Manchuria. Despite having only 100,000 soldiers, Genghis Khan decided to confront the Jin Dynasty, which had a massive army of 1 million troops. However, Genghis Khan demonstrated outstanding leadership, uniting different tribes and leading the battle himself. The Jin Dynasty assembled 350,000 troops in the mountainous region of Yehuling to counter the Mongol cavalry. Genghis Khan entrusted his general, Muqali, with the task of securing victory. The brave Mongol soldiers dismounted and defeated the Jin troops in the mountains, despite their numerical disadvantage. Eventually, the Jin army, despite its superior numbers, was defeated by the Mongol forces. This victory at the Battle of Yehuling made the Mongol army's might known to the Jin Dynasty and instilled confidence in the Mongols as they continued to fight against the strongest power in Northeast Asia. Ultimately, this battle served as a stepping stone for the Mongols to conquer the Jin Dynasty and eventually the world. With only about 100,000 troops, the Mongols went on to create a vast empire, conquering as far south as India, north to Russia, and west to Hungary.

 

Commemorative Photo After the Battle of Cheongsanri

The Victory at the Battle of Cheongsanri Despite Being Outnumbered 20-to-1

Korea became the first victim of Japan's imperialist expansion. Imperialism is the policy or drive of a nation to extend its political and economic dominance over other nations or territories. Japan, using Korea as a stepping stone to further expand into China, exploited the Korean people to fuel its military and economic ambitions. As Japan's oppression worsened, many Koreans fled to Manchuria, and independence fighters moved there to continue their struggle. Feeling threatened by the activities of the Korean independence forces, Japan dispatched 25,000 regular troops to Manchuria. Confident after their victories over China and Russia, Japan underestimated the Korean independence fighters. Under the leadership of General Kim Jwa-jin of the Northern Military Administration Office Army and General Hong Beom-do of the Korean Independence Army, the independence fighters lured the Japanese forces to Cheongsanri, where they scored a significant victory. The Battle of Cheongsanri is a proud chapter in Korean history, where the independence forces triumphed despite being outnumbered by over 20 times.

 

The Korean delegation at the Paris Olympics was sent with low expectations due to its small size. However, it will be remembered as the Olympics where Korea achieved its best performance. History shows that groups facing overwhelming odds can often outmaneuver and outwit stronger opponents. Perhaps this is the key to how small groups can achieve great results.

 

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