Yi Yangwŏn

Yi Yangwŏn (Korean: 이양원; Hanja: 李陽元; 19th day, 9th month of 1526 – 26th day, 7th month of 1592) was a Korean scholar-official and military leader of the mid-Joseon period. Born into a collateral branch of the royal Jeonju Yi clan, he studied under Yi Chungho, entered the Royal Confucian Academy at fifteen, and passed state civil service examination and entered government service in 1556.

Yi began government service in 1557 as Proofreader in the Office of Special Advisors and later held central posts, gaining the sagadoksŏ privilege at the Reading Hall. In 1563 he went to Ming China as Document Official to correct the royal genealogy, securing a promise to amend the Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty and earning promotion, rewards, and later recognition as a Third-rank Kwangguk Merit Subject and Great Lord of Hansan.

Under King Seonjo, Yi helped manage the king's accession as Chief Royal Secretary, then served as provincial commander in Gyeongsang, became a disciple of Yi Hwang, and later returned to hold senior posts including Inspector General and Right State Councillor.

With the outbreak of the Imjin War in 1592, Yi was charged with defending the capital but failed to prevent the fall of Hansŏng. He helped win the Battle of Haeyuryŏng yet was later defeated along the Imjin River. After joining Prince Gwanghae's court at Icheon, he died there after refusing food on believing a false report that King Seonjo had crossed into Liaodong.