Yi Sun-sin

28 April 1545 – 16 December 1598

Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) was a Korean admiral of the Joseon dynasty famed for his naval victories against the Japanese during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Despite political persecution, he never lost a naval engagement, and his triumphs at Hansando and Myeongnyang are counted among the great feats of naval history. He was killed by a stray bullet at the war's final battle at Noryang.

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Life events

Born in Hanseong (Seoul)
28 April 1545

Yi Sun-sin was born in 1545 into the Deoksu Yi clan; his family later moved to Asan, his mother's hometown.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Passed the military examination (mukwa)
1576

After failing an earlier attempt when he broke his leg falling from a horse, Yi passed the military service examination in 1576 at age 31.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Served on the northern frontier against Jurchen raiders
c. 1583

In the 1580s Yi served in frontier posts in Hamgyong Province, where he fought Jurchen incursions and was at one point unjustly stripped of rank.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed commander of the Left Jeolla Naval District
1591

In 1591 Yi was promoted to naval commander of Left Jeolla Province, where he strengthened the fleet and oversaw work on the turtle ship ahead of the Japanese invasion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Won his first naval victory of the Imjin War at Okpo
June 1592

Shortly after the Japanese invasion began in 1592, Yi's fleet destroyed dozens of Japanese ships at Okpo without losing a vessel.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Crushed the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Hansando
14 August 1592

Using the crane wing formation, Yi destroyed the main Japanese fleet near Hansan Island in August 1592, crippling Japan's naval supply lines.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Arrested, tortured, and demoted to common soldier
March 1597

In 1597, after court intrigue and a Japanese disinformation plot, Yi was relieved of command, imprisoned, and nearly executed before being reduced to the ranks.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Won the Battle of Myeongnyang with only thirteen ships
26 October 1597

Restored to command after the Joseon fleet's destruction at Chilcheollyang, Yi defeated a Japanese fleet of well over a hundred ships in the Myeongnyang Strait.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Killed in action at the Battle of Noryang
16 December 1598

Yi was struck by a bullet and died aboard his flagship on 16 December 1598 during the final naval battle of the Imjin War, as the Japanese withdrew from Korea.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓