Yi Sun-sin

Duke Chungmu

Yi Sun-sin
Text reads "忠武公李舜臣像" (Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin Sang; "Portrait of Yi Sun-sin, Lord of Loyal Valor")
BornApril 28, 1545
Euljiro-dong, Hanseong, Joseon
DiedDecember 16, 1598(1598-12-16) (aged 53)
Namhae Island, Gyeongsang Province, Joseon
AllegianceJoseon
Battles/warsJapanese invasions of Korea (1592–98)
Spouse(s)Lady Bang
Lady Oh
Lady Buandaek
Children
  • legitimate: 3 sons, 1 daughter
  • illegitimate: 2 sons, 2 daughters
Korean name
Hangul
이순신
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Sunsin
McCune–ReischauerYi Sunsin
Art name
Hangul
기계, 덕암
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGigye, Deogam
McCune–ReischauerKigye, Tŏgam
Courtesy name
Hangul
여해
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYeohae
McCune–ReischauerYŏhae
Posthumous name
Hangul
충무
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChungmu
McCune–ReischauerCh'ungmu
Internal Prince Deokpung
Hangul
덕풍부원군
Hanja
Revised RomanizationDeokpung buwongun
McCune–ReischauerTŏkp'ung puwŏngun

Yi Sun-sin (Korean이순신; Korean pronunciation: [i.sʰun.ɕin]; April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598[1]) was a Korean admiral and military general famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon period.

The exact number of naval engagements conducted by Admiral Yi against the Japanese is a subject of historical debate.[2] However, he is widely believed to have seen combat in at least 23 victorious naval engagements during the war. In most of these battles, he was outnumbered and lacked the necessary supplies.[3][4] His most famous victory occurred at the Battle of Myeongnyang, where, despite being outnumbered by 333 Japanese ships (133 warships, at least 200 logistical support ships) to a single fleet of 13, he managed to disable or destroy 31 Japanese warships without losing a single ship of his own.[5] Yi died from a gunshot wound at the Battle of Noryang, the last major battle of the Imjin War, on December 16, 1598.

Yi is regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history, with commentators praising his strategic vision, intelligence, innovations, and personality (see military evaluation). He is one of the most renowned historical figures in Korea,[6] with multiple landmarks, awards, and towns named after him, as well as numerous films and documentaries centered on his exploits. His seven-year personal records of the war, collectively known as the Nanjung Ilgi, are listed as part of UNESCO's Memory of the World initiative.[7]

  1. ^ In Lunar Calendar, Yi was born the 8th day of the 3rd month, 1545, and died on the 19th day of the 11th month, 1598
  2. ^ Choi, Jin-Sup (최진섭), "충무공 해전 전적은 ‘23전 23승’ 아닌 ‘62전 62승’" (in Korean), The JoongAng, 1 May. 2012
  3. ^ "Admiral Yi Sunsin: A brief overview of his life and achievements". Korean Spirit and Culture, Series I, Diamond Sutra Recitation Group.
  4. ^ "StartLogic". www.koreanhero.net. Archived from the original on June 20, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2006.
  5. ^ Yi Sunsin, Nanjung ilgi, p. 314
  6. ^ Hawley, Samuel (2005). The Imjin War, Japan's Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China. Seoul: The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch. p. 490. ISBN 978-89-954424-2-5.
  7. ^ "Nanjung Ilgi : War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin | Memory of the World". Cultural Heritage Administration. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.

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