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- Lee Sun-shin was a renowned general who led the Joseon Navy during the Imjin War and the Jeongyu War, achieving an undefeated record of 23 victories in 23 battles and becoming a national hero who saved the country.
- Despite lacking government support and even providing food and supplies to the army, he achieved victory with his outstanding strategy and bravery amidst the hardship of taking care of the livelihoods of refugees.
- He is a great figure who went to the battlefield empty-handed and stopped 133 enemy ships with twelve old ships, and today he is still an object of admiration and reverence for countless people.
Admiral Lee Sun-shin
Yi Sun-sin (1545. 4.28. ~ 1598.12.16.)
He was a renowned military leader and national hero of Joseon in the late 16th century. He was an admiral who led the Joseon navy during the Imjin War and the Jeongyu War. His posthumous title is Chungmugong.
Today, he is a respected and admired figure by countless people in South Korea, and his very existence inspires patriotism and pride in the hearts of many Koreans. He is considered one of the most prominent national heroes in Korean history, alongside King Sejong the Great. He is a figure of great stature and renown, and the subject of a large statue erected in Gwanghwamun Square, the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
Even in a global context, renowned military leaders such as Horatio Nelson all received significant government support and achieved victory in their wars. However, Yi Sun-sin received no support from the government or external sources. Instead, he was burdened with providing food, weapons, paper, fans, arquebuses, and various other supplies and tribute goods to both the government and the Ming Dynasty army. Not only that, he had to personally take care of the livelihoods of the influx of refugees, facing immense hardship and isolation while conducting warfare. To make matters worse, even Kwon Yul's army under his command would plunder the food that Yi Sun-sin had painstakingly secured for his navy, and they would arbitrarily take navy personnel and incorporate them into the army, creating a dire situation. Despite these challenges, Yi Sun-sin did not falter. He relied solely on his own efforts to become self-sufficient, and even during the truce, when a major epidemic ravaged the naval base, causing significant troop losses, he persevered through illness and consistently expanded his military capabilities, building the most powerful fleet. For seven years, he led the navy, demonstrating exceptional strategic brilliance and bravery, achieving victory in every battle. Ultimately, he accomplished an unprecedented feat in history, achieving 23 victories in 23 battles without losing a single ship, establishing a legendary record of invincibility.
Yi Sun-sin secured control of the sea, completely cutting off the enemy's supply lines, a critical aspect of warfare, and thereby altering the course of the war itself, rescuing a nation on the brink of collapse. Notably, during his second deployment in the early stages of the Imjin War, he commanded the first naval battle, the Sacheon Battle, where he was critically wounded, sustaining a bullet wound that pierced his left shoulder. Despite his severe injury, with blood flowing down to his ankles, he remained unfazed, showing no signs of pain, and continued to calmly command the battle, leading to the annihilation of the enemy fleet. He then allegedly used a knife to cut open his flesh and remove the embedded bullet, and later conversed with his subordinates as if nothing had happened. In the final battle of the Imjin War, the Battle of Noryang, Yi Sun-sin, along with Zhen Lin, the admiral-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty navy, faced the retreating Japanese fleet of 500 ships. He employed a fire attack strategy, destroying 200 ships and capturing another 100, which were then burned. He also wiped out tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers, achieving a significant victory. However, at daybreak, he was fatally struck by a bullet fired by the enemy, meeting a valiant end.
Do not blame your family's status. I was born into a declining family and raised by my maternal relatives due to poverty.
Do not say I am unintelligent. I failed my first exam and only passed the civil service examination at the late age of 32.
Do not complain about not having a good position. I served as a low-ranking guard officer in the remote frontier for 14 years.
Do not worry about being frail. I have suffered from chronic stomach problems and infectious diseases all my life.
Do not complain about not being given opportunities. I became an admiral at the age of 47, when the country was in danger due to enemy invasion.
Do not despair over a lack of resources. I returned from the battlefield empty-handed and used only 12 old ships to confront 133 enemy ships.
Those who cannot control themselves cannot control others.
Throughout life, sorrow grows, and joy diminishes. Nevertheless, do not choose sorrow.
