Yi Sun-sin
Duke Chungmu Yi Sun-sin | |
|---|---|
Modern bust depicting Yi | |
| Born | April 28, 1545 |
| Died | December 16, 1598 (aged 53) Namhae Island, Gyeongsang Province, Joseon |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Joseon |
| Branch | Joseon Navy |
| Rank | Commander of the Three Provinces |
| Conflicts | |
| Spouses | Lady Bang Lady Oh Lady Buandaek |
| Children |
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| Signature | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 이순신 |
| Hanja | 李舜臣 |
| RR | I Sunsin |
| MR | I Sunsin |
| Art name | |
| Hangul | 기계, 덕암 |
| Hanja | 器溪, 德巖 |
| RR | Gigye, Deokam |
| MR | Kigye, Tŏgam |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul | 여해 |
| Hanja | 汝諧 |
| RR | Yeohae |
| MR | Yŏhae |
| Posthumous name | |
| Hangul | 충무 |
| Hanja | 忠武 |
| RR | Chungmu |
| MR | Ch'ungmu |
| Internal Prince Deokpung | |
| Hangul | 덕풍부원군 |
| Hanja | 德豐府院君 |
| RR | Deokpung buwongun |
| MR | Tŏkp'ung puwŏn'gun |
Yi Sun-sin (Korean: 이순신; Hanja: 李舜臣; Korean pronunciation: [i.sʰun.ɕin]; April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598) was a Korean admiral and military general known for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin War in the Joseon period. Yi's courtesy name was Yŏhae (여해), and he was posthumously honored with the title Lord of Loyal Valor (충무공; 忠武公).
The exact number of naval engagements conducted by Admiral Yi against the Japanese is a subject of historical debate. However, it is generally accepted that he fought in at least 23 naval battles, achieving victory in all. In many of these engagements, he commanded forces that were outnumbered and poorly supplied. His most dramatic success occurred in the Battle of Myeongnyang, where he led a Korean fleet of 13 ships to victory against a Japanese fleet of at least 133. Yi died from a gunshot wound in the Battle of Noryang, the last major battle of the Imjin War, on December 16, 1598.
Yi is considered one of history's greatest naval commanders, known for his strategic vision, intelligence, innovations, and personality (see military evaluation). He is a prominent figure in Korean history, with landmarks, awards, and towns named after him, as well as numerous films and documentaries about his achievements. His wartime journals, known as the Nanjung Ilgi, are part of UNESCO's Memory of the World initiative.