The famous Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin, who lived in 1545-1598, is one of the main national heroes of his country. He led the fleet during the war with Japan. The strategist and tactician is also famous for not losing a single battle (in total, he has 23 naval battles).
Early years
The future Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born on April 28, 1545. He was a native of the country's capital, Seoul. The child came from the Li family. His ancestors were among the military Korean nobility. In 1555, the boy's father was arrested for supporting repressed opponents of the government.
Because of what happened, the future Admiral Lee Sun-sin moved to the province and received the status of politically unreliable for a long time. Now the career of an official was closed to him. The young man decided to devote himself to the army. In Korea, the military were considered second-class people. They were inferior in influence to the bureaucrats.
In 1576, Yi Sun-sin passed the exam and became an officer in the Korean army. He was sent to serve in a small northern fortress. His duties included protecting the country from raids by neighboring nomadic tribes.
Appointment as admiral
Thanks to his talents and abilities, Lee Sun Shin inIn 1591 he became an admiral of the Korean fleet. At this time, the top of the country was preparing for the approaching war with Japan. There is a need for urgent reforms in the army. Soldiers and sailors were distinguished by poor discipline. This could play a fatal role in the event of a military conflict with neighbors.
Therefore, Admiral Lee Sun-sin began to introduce new orders in the fleet. There was a system of punishments and rewards. If a soldier or officer was caught violating the charter, he was subjected to public punishment. Such rules made it possible to quickly rid the army of non-professional personnel. Many of them got to high positions due to kinship and nepotism. Now in their place were capable soldiers. Barriers were removed for the poor who wanted to serve their country and climb the career ladder.
Admiral Lee Sun-sin arranged the supply of weapons and clothing for the rank and file. When the officer first took over at the head of the fleet, he had to change obsolete and simply rotten ships that had been idle in ports for many years. The budget of the army was now replenished by deductions from private trade, which made it possible to quickly put the fleet in order. For the first time in many years, exercises were organized at sea.
Tactician and reformer
Through years of mastering strategic prowess, Korean Admiral Lee Sun-shin has become an expert in combat tactics. His army reforms affected not only organizational issues, but also the very structure and composition of the fleet. The admiral realized that the future lay in remote combat. So he increased the numbershooters and gunners. With the beginning of his command, new types of weapons appeared.
Admiral Lee Sun-sin was also behind the advent of the revolutionary Kobukson ships. The naval commander personally changed the design of the old models and offered to start building a new type of ship. Because of their appearance, these ships have also become known as "turtles".
For greater security, the frame was covered with metal plates. The length of the vessel was about 30 meters. A frightening dragon head was installed in front. The ship had high running characteristics. The design provided for two masts and two sails. The ship was maneuverable - it could literally turn while standing still.
The beginning of the war with Japan
In 1592, the Japanese army launched an invasion of Korea. This event was not unexpected. The year before, the Japanese ruler had asked Korea for permission to allow troops to pass through. His target was China. However, the Koreans refused to let foreign troops into their territory. In Seoul, they were afraid of the violence of the “guests” or a Chinese retaliatory attack.
When the refusal was received in Japan, the country began to prepare for the inevitable war. The diplomatic conflict was fueled by the ambitions of the island nation. On the eve of Japan united under the sole authority of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Now he wanted to launch a successful military campaign to secure his own influence in his homeland.
Brilliant victories of the Korean Navy
In April 1592, the head of the entire Korean fleet,resisting the Japanese attack, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was appointed. The Imjin wars - this is how the conflict between neighbors was later called in historiography. Lee Sun-sin needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of his own reforms, which he carried out several years before the start of the confrontation.
The first serious test for the fleet was the naval battle of Tanhpo. At the beginning of the war, the admiral made the kobuksons, ships of a new type, shortly before adopted by him, his main striking force. In the first battle, the Korean fleet sank 72 enemy ships. In the future, luck continued to smile at the admiral. He never lost a single battle.
The plans of the Japanese command were thwarted. Half a million people were supposed to invade Korea. In fact, the figure was much lower. In addition, the army, which nevertheless ended up in Korea, was cut off from the supply of equipment, provisions, etc. Admiral Yi Sun-sin made a huge contribution to the strategic defeat of the Japanese. A film about this national hero, shot in modern times, picturesquely tells how the famous naval commander made key decisions and defeated the enemies of his country.
Opala
Thanks to the victories of Lee Sun-sin, the Japanese agreed to start negotiations. In Tokyo, they wanted to play for time in order to restore their strength and try to attack Korea a second time. Soon the Japanese command was extremely lucky.
In the highest echelons of Korean power, they were afraid of the people's love, which was used by Admiral Lee Sun-sin. Biography of thisthe military leader was impeccable. If desired, he could get rid of any competitors at court. While the diplomats of Korea and Japan were trying to reach a peaceful settlement, intrigues were woven in the capital against the admiral. As a result, he was falsely accused and imprisoned and demoted to sailors.
Won Gyun
Instead of Lee Sun-sin, his court rival Won Gyun was appointed commander-in-chief of the fleet. The new admiral did not shine with the talents and organizational qualities of his predecessor. At this time, the news about the disgrace of Lee Sun-sin encouraged the Japanese authorities. In 1596, war was again declared on Korea.
Due to the strategic mistakes of Won Gyun, the Korean fleet suffered several significant defeats. Many ships were sunk, others became completely unsuitable for service. Won Gyun died at the Battle of Chilchongnyang.
Last victory and death
At this critical moment, the Korean king more than ever needed the talent possessed by Admiral Yi Sun-sin. A movie about this national hero shows his fall and return to the ranks as it really was. In 1598 he was reinstated to the rank of admiral and released from prison.
The Korean navy, which suffered several unfortunate engagements, was a pitiful sight. Despite this, Lee Sun Shin was not going to give up. He collected the remains of the ships and led them to attack the Japanese.
The decisive battle of the Imjin War took place on December 16, 1598. The Korean fleet sank 200 Japanese ships, won andfinally saved the country from foreign invasion. However, Lee Sun-sin died from a stray bullet fired by the enemy. The tragic death made the admiral only more legendary in the eyes of the inhabitants of his country. Today, many monuments dedicated to the national hero have been erected in Korea.
