Yi Sun-sin

thumb|"Those who are determined to die will live, and those who seek to live will die"(必死則生, 必生則死) Yi Sun-sin (李舜臣, 1545–1598) was an admiral and naval commander of the Korean kingdom of Joseon, in what is now South Korea. He lived in the late 16th century. During this period, the Imjin War (1592–1598), Japan's invasion of Korea led by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was a pivotal event in East Asian history that influenced the transfer of power in Korea, China, and Japan. During this war, Yi Sun-sin led the Korean navy, seizing control of the seas and cutting off the supply lines of the Japanese forces. After the Korean fleet was annihilated at the Battle of Chilcheollyang in 1597, he was reinstated as supreme commander. On September 16 of that same year (October 26 by the solar calendar), he turned the tide of the war by winning a crushing victory at the Battle of Myeongnyang: with only 13 ships, he defeated a Japanese fleet of more than 133 vessels.Yi Sun-sin Nanjung ilgi (亂中日記) Noh Seung-seok (노승석) Yeohae (여해) 2025 357 9791197378270 이순신이 왜선 133척을 명량으로 유인하여 전선 13척으로 양도 부근... This battle is regarded as one of the most celebrated victories in the history of naval warfare. Yi Sun-sin was killed in action on November 19, 1598 (December 16 by the solar calendar) at the Battle of Noryang, the final battle of the Imjin War. Having saved the nation at a moment of existential crisishttps://www.rusi.org/podcasts/talking-strategy/episode-6-yi-sun-sin-koreas-greatest-commander Episode 6: Yi Sun-sin, Korea's Greatest Commander RUSI, Talking Strategy (podcast) 13 September 2026 He came to his nation's rescue in extremis when others had failed, Yi Sun-sin is often compared to the British admiral Horatio Nelson.https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1944/june/yi-sun-sin-defeated-japan-sea Yi Sun-sin Defeated Japan at Sea U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings June 1944 13 September 2026 if any man is to be so regarded it is surely this great naval commander of Asiatic race who never knew defeat Records state that when news of his death spread, the whole of Joseon was overcome with grief.https://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kna_13111027_005 Seonjo sillok, vol. 106, 27th day of the 11th month, 31st year of Seonjo's reign, 5th article Sillok, Annals of the Joseon Dynasty National Institute of Korean History 13 September 2026 부음(訃音)이 전파되자 호남(湖南) 일도(一道)의 사람들이 모두 통곡하여 노파와 아이들까지도 슬피 울지 않는 자가 없었다 His handwritten wartime diary, known as the Nanjung ilgi, is inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Registerhttps://www.unesco.org/en/memory-world/nanjung-ilgi-war-diary-admiral-yi-sun-sin Nanjung ilgi: War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin UNESCO Memory of the World 13 September 2026, and sayings such as "Those who are determined to die will live, and those who seek to live will die" are still widely quoted in 21st-century South Korea. Nanjung ilgi Yi Sun-sin, translated by Noh Seung-seok. (2025). Nanjung ilgi. Yeohae. ISBN 9791197378270 January 1. Clear skies. At dawn, my younger brother Yeopil, my nephew Bong, and my eldest son Hoe came and we talked. I cannot contain my deep regret at having spent a second New Year's Day away from my mother, in the south. Yi Gyeong-sin, an officer under the Provincial Army Commander (Yi Gwang), came bearing a letter from the commander, New Year's gifts, and various items — including long and short arrows — intended as tribute to the King. Nanjung ilgi. Translated by Noh Seung-seok. p. 31. March 29. Clear skies. I did not report for duty, as it was the anniversary of the death of Queen Jeonghui (Consort Yun). The court messenger sent to inquire after my mother in Asan returned. It was a great relief to hear that she is doing well. Nanjung ilgi. Translated by Noh Seung-seok. p. 43. April 15. Clear skies. I did not report for duty, as it was the anniversary of the death of Queen Gonghye (Consort Han). I wrote a reply and a separate record to be sent to the Provincial Governor (Yi Gwang), and immediately dispatched them by relay courier. Toward evening, a dispatch arrived from the Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang (Won Gyun): "More than 90 Japanese ships have arrived and anchored at Jeolyeongdo, off Busan." At the same time, another dispatch came from the same commander: "More than 350 enemy ships have already arrived across from Busanpo." I therefore immediately sent a report to the throne, and also dispatched letters to the Provincial Governor (Yi Gwang), the Army Commander (Choe Won), and the Right Naval Commander (Yi Eok-gi). A dispatch also arrived from the Gyeongsang Observer (Kim Su), reporting the same. Nanjung ilgi. Translated by Noh Seung-seok. p. 45. April 16. Around 10 p.m., a dispatch arrived from the Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang (Won Gyun): "The command garrison at Busan has already fallen." I cannot contain my indignation and grief. I immediately sent a report to the throne, and also dispatched letters to the Three Provinces (Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Chungcheong). Nanjung ilgi. Translated by Noh Seung-seok. p. 45. April 18. Overcast in the morning. I went to the office early to attend to official business. A dispatch arrived from the Provincial Governor: "The garrison commander of Balpo has already been dismissed from his post; appoint and send a temporary commander." I therefore appointed the officer Na Dae-yong that same day and sent him off. Around 2 p.m., a dispatch arrived from the Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang: "Dongnae has also fallen; the two magistrates of Yangsan (Jo Yeong-gyu) and Ulsan (Yi Eon-ham), serving as assistant commanders, entered the fortress and were both defeated." I cannot express my indignation and grief in words. I hear that the Left Army Commander of Gyeongsang (Yi Gak) and the Left Naval Commander of Gyeongsang (Bak Hong) led their troops as far as the rear of Dongnae before hastily withdrawing, which grieved me all the more. In the evening, the military officer in command of the Suncheon troops, who had remained at Seokbochang (a stone fortress) without leading his men forward, was arrested and imprisoned. Nanjung ilgi. Translated by Noh Seung-seok. pp. 45–46. Complete Works of Duke Yi, the Loyal and Valiant From the year imjin (1592) onward, for five or six years, the enemy never dared to strike directly into the two Hoseo and Honam provinces, because our navy held the sea routes in check. Your servant still has twelve warships remaining, and if we fight to the utmost of our strength, victory is still possible. If the navy were now to be abolished entirely, this is precisely what the enemy would welcome, for they would then pass through Hoseo and reach the Han River — this is what your servant fears. Though the number of warships is few, so long as this humble servant is not yet dead, the enemy will not dare to hold us in contempt. 自壬辰至于五六年間。賊不敢直突於兩湖者。以舟師之扼其路也。今臣戰船尙有 十二。出死力拒戰。則猶可爲也。今若全廢舟師。則是賊之所以爲幸。而由湖右達於漢水。此臣之所恐也。戰船雖寡。微臣不死。則賊不敢侮我矣。 Complete Works of Duke Yi, the Loyal and Valiant(Yi Chungmugong jeonseo), Yi Bun, "Haengnok" (行錄, "Biographical Record"). Original text, Database of Korean Classics The 19th day. At dawn, as the Duke was in the midst of urging on the battle, he was suddenly struck by a stray bullet. The Duke said, "The battle is now at its height — on no account let it be said that I have died." Having spoken these words, he passed away. 十九日。黎明。公方督戰。忽中飛丸。公曰。戰方急。愼勿言我死。言訖而逝。 Yi Chungmugong jeonseo, Yi Bun, "Haengnok" (行錄, by his nephew, Vice Director Bun). Original text, Database of Korean Classics References Category:Navies