Admiral YI Sun Shin

Not neccessarily. Korea's preference for FTA with many countries will ensure that no single country will dominate Korea in the future. During the late 19th century, some people in the 이 Dynasy wanted Korea to have strong relations with many foreign powers, so that nobody could dominate Korea, but it didn't work because few countries cared about Korea. Today, Korea has a large economy, so many countries want to trade with Korea.  I wouldn't consider Korea to be the puppet of the US. The US is the best partner for Korea because the US is very far away, unlike Japan, China, or Russia. 

Yi Sun Shin is the greatest Korean hero. The man saved his country. He is not Drake, I would call him "Nelson of the East", I think this name fits him better than Togo.

Edited by Sarmat12 - 03-Jun-2007 at 19:27

The Admiralship of Yi Sun-sin

Following are some of the key features of Admiral Yi Sun-sin�s leadership, which lay behind every legendary naval victory that he won.

1. Thorough preparation and intensive training

Before the war and throughout it, and even during the truce, Admiral Yi always subjected his men to intensive training in archery, artillery, and the various standard naval maneuvers and formations. He also tirelessly engaged himself in manufacturing new weapons and building ships. For example, only a year after the Battle of Myongnyang which he fought with a mere thirteen ships, he had succeeded in building 70 more � an astonishing rate of one new ship every five days.

2. Careful study of the nature of the battlefield and its layout

The southern coast of Korea, the scene of many fierce sea battles between Korea and Japan during the Seven Year War, was a maritime labyrinth, consisting of countless isles and inlets. Furthermore, the current is very fast and the long stretching coast provided a completely different appearance with the rise and fall of every tide. Yi made a careful study of the hourly changes of currents and winds, as well as the natural features peculiar to each naval battlefield. Based on his investigations, he was able to rely on a safe sea-route whenever he moved his fleet by night escaping the eye of the enemy. As evident from the battles fought at Hansan and Myongnyang, his foreknowledge allowed him to turn the complex geographical features of the coast to his advantage when pursuing or being pursued by an enemy.

3. Diverse use of naval tactics

Admiral Yi used a wide variety of naval tactics in sea battles besides the famous Crane Wing Formation. In his first battle at Okpo, he arranged his fleet in horizontal line and made straight for the enemy fleet at full speed, thus not allowing them the least room to maneuver or escape and pressing them close with fierce cannon fire. In the sea battle at Pusan, the Long Snake Formation (Kor. Chang Sa Jin) was used in order to deal with the formidable odds � 83 Korean ships against 480 Japanese. Yi adopted this long, narrow formation to minimize the exposure of his fleet to the enemy�s fire. Korea emerged victorious from this battle, sinking 128 enemy ships and losing none herself. In the Battle of Happo, Yi�s fleet droved the enemy fleet into a confined harbor, and was thus able to destroy all of its ships. In that engagement, Yi had no need to use formal naval formations, but simply ordered his ships to dash forward individually against the enemy as he judged fit. 

 

4. Undermining enemy morale and winning the trust of his men

 

  During naval engagements, Yi�s navy subjected the enemy to a bombardment of arrows and cannon shot from the outset, a tactic which proved highly effective in weakening the enemy�s fighting morale, and finally getting the better of them. As a consequence, Korean sailors developed an absolute trust in their admiral, and their morale grew higher and higher with every victory to which he led them.

5. Maintaining perfect discipline and strict principles

Lazy officers were rewarded with strokes of the cudgel, regardless of their rank. Soldiers who deserted the army were punished with death, as were officers who accepted bribes and overlooked their desertion, and indeed any man who was found to have committed the same crime more than once. At the Battle of Myongnyang, Yi angrily reproved An Wi, who had fallen back out of fear, threatening him with death under court martial if he did not heed his call to advance, and his words awakened An Wi to recover his spirit and fight. Admiral Yi�s emphasis on strict obedience to martial law and the maintenance of absolute discipline meant that the whole Korean Navy, from the supreme commander to the common soldier, were firmly united as one and were thus able to carry out naval formations and tactics which demanded strong unity among crew members successfully.

6. Fellowship and Duty

Although Chinese Admiral Chen Lien had attempted to hinder Yi�s plan to destroy the retreating Japanese force, the admiral rescued Chen when he was encircled by enemy ships at Noryang, and in danger of being captured. In the Battle of Myongnyang, An Wi abandoned his loyalty to his commander at the sight of the enemy�s overwhelming numbers, but was later saved by the admiral when he fell into trouble. Yi was always faithful to his principles and would not permit injustice or irresponsibility in his men. But at the same time, he harbored a deep sense of fellowship and obligation to them and so gained their trust, respect and devoted service.

7. Leadership overcame the worst conditions

Throughout the Seven Year War, Admiral Yi alone undertook to provide for every aspect of warfare, from supplies and provisions to recruitment and shipbuilding, having no support from the government. In battles where overwhelming odds were involved, he led his navy from the front to inspire his men with his valor and zeal. In the desperate situation before the Battle of Myongnyang, when the Korean Navy had only thirteen ships with which to fight, Yi was able to re-arm his men, with the dauntless soldier�s maxim �He who seeks death will live, and he who seeks life will die.�

Behind all these methods and devices lie Yi�s unshakable loyalty and selfless dedication to his country and people. In the course of abiding by them, Yi had to endure endless trials and sufferings. He remained loyal to his country, however, even after imprisonment, torture, and ignominious demotion to the ranks, since he firmly believed that remaining at sea and defeating the enemy was the one thing he could do for his nation. It is this splendid patriotic devotion that could be seen as the most powerful and important strategy of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

Naval Battles of Admiral Yi Sun-sin

During the Seven Year War, Yi Sun-sin had engaged in twenty-three naval battles against Japan and emerged victorious in all of them. The naval battles fought by the Admiral can be summarized in a chart as follows.

Edited by Omar al Hashim - 18-Aug-2007 at 03:27

The Warships and Weaponry of Korea and Japan

During the Seven Year War, the Korean navy used both Panokson and Kobukson warships. The Panokson was the mainstay of the navy, while one to three Kobukson at would be used as the main assault ships. The ships of the Japanese navy consisted of the large Atake, the medium-sized Sekibune and the smaller Kobaya. The Atake served as the flagship, carrying on board the commanding admirals, while the medium-sized Sekibune comprised the greater part of the rest of the navy.

A key feature of the Korean Panokson was its multiple decks. The non-combatant personnel were positioned between the main-deck and the upper-deck, away from enemy fire. The combatant personnel were stationed on the upper-deck, which allowed them to attack the enemy from a higher vantage point. The Japanese fleet serviced mostly single-decked vessels, with the exception of a few large Atake.

In line with the traditional structure of Korean ships, the Panokson had a flat base. This feature was due to the nature of the Korean seacoast, which had a broad tidal range and flat, expansive tidelands. A level underside enabled a ship to sit comfortably on the tideland when the tide was out, after coming ashore or inside a wharf at high water. It also ensured greater mobility and a light draft and in particular allowed a ship to make sharp changes of direction at short notice. This Panokson was one of the main reasons why Admiral Yi was able to employ the Crane Wing formation at the Battle of Hansan with such success.

By contrast, the hulls of the Japanese vessels were V-shaped. A sharp underside was favorable for swift or long-distance travel because of lower water resistance. Since this variety of hull had a deep draft, however, the ship�s turning radius was considerable and changing direction was therefore a lengthy process.

Both Korean and Japanese ships used sails and oars. Of the two basic types of sail, square and lateen, the square gives a strong performance downwind but struggles windward, whereas the fore-and-aft lateen sail excels against the wind, though requiring a large crew to handle it. In the West, square sails were used in the galleys of Ancient Greece and the Viking longships, and the fore-and-aft variety later in the Mediterranean ships of the Late Middle Ages. When the Age of Exploration began in the fifteenth century, multiple-masted ships equipped with both types of sails eventually appeared. In Korea such ships had been in use since the eighth century. Korea�s Panokson and Kobukson therefore had two masts by default, and their position and angle could easily be managed so that the sails could be used in all winds, whether adverse or favorable[2]. The Atake of the Japanese Navy also had two masts, but the main parts of its vessels were square-rigged and their sails limited to use in favorable winds.

It is worthwhile also to compare the hulls of the two nations� respective warships, and their relative strength. The Panokson used thick, high density boards, giving an overall sturdiness to the ship�s structure. Japanese warships were weaker, due to the thin, lower density timber used to build them[3]. The Sekibune in particular, being the standard warship of the Japanese fleet, was built to be as light as possible, increasing its speed at the expense of structural integrity.

The Panokson was not only built using thicker timbers, but its general structure was held together by means of wooden nails, matching indentations, and interlocking teeth. This meant that as its boards absorbed water and expanded, the greater integrity of the hull was made stronger. The Japanese warships, on the other hand, relied on metal nails which, as time passed and corrosion and rust set in, eventually weakened the hull.

This difference in structural integrity, which also determined the number of cannons that could be carried on board, suited Japan and Korea to different types of naval combat. Because the Japanese ships lacked the strength to withstand the recoil of cannon, even the largest ship Atake could carry only three at the most. Since the hulls of Korean warships were strong enough, however, they were able to carry a large number of long-range cannons. These could be installed with ease on the large upper-deck of the Panokson ships, and their angle configured at will to increase the range.

Since the Japanese warships only allowed for a very limited number of cannons, their sailors mainly used muskets, which had a range of 100-200m (330-660 ft). Korea, on the other hand, had on board several varieties of cannon, such as Heaven, Earth, Black and Yellow. They fired daejon (a long, thick arrow in the shape of a rocket) with a range of 500m (1,650 ft), as well as chulwhan (cannon shot) which could travel up to a distance of 1km (3300 ft). Wangu, a kind of mortar, which fired stones or shells with a radius of 20cm (7.8 in), was also used by the Korean navy.

Another noteworthy aspect of Korea�s heavy fire-arms is that they were not all invented to meet the sudden emergency of war. These weapons in fact made their appearance some 200 years prior to the Seven Year War. Thanks to the efforts of Choi Mu-son, a general and a chemist, Korea began manufacturing and developing gunpowder and power-based weapons. Korean cannons first saw action in 1380 against a large fleet of Japanese pirate ships, and were found to be a great success. In comparison, the first naval battle to have employed cannons in Europe was the Battle of Lepanto (1571), 200 years later.

Yi Sun-sin: His Memories and Influence on Korea Today

Even after 400 years, the noble spirit of Admiral Yi, which saved a country from the brink of collapse, remains as the object of veneration and admiration. The following are a selection of different ways in which the Admiral has been remembered by his countrymen since his valiant death at the Battle of Noryang.

1. King Son Jo, expressing his apologies and praying for the soul of Yi, gave the following funeral address.

      I abandoned you, and yet
      You did not once abandon me.
      The sufferings you underwent in this world,
      And those you take with you to the world after,
      How could one convey them in

Later, in 1604, the 37^th year of Son Jo�s reign, Yi was honored posthumously as the Vice-Prime Minister. In 1643, the 27^th year of King In Jo�s reign, he was awarded the posthumous title �Chung Mu Gong� (Master of Loyal Valor). In 1793, the 17^th year of King Jung Jo�s reign, he was honored posthumously as the Prime Minister.

Under the Royal Ordinance of King Jung Jo, an exhaustive compilation of the deeds and achievements of Yi�s lifetime was undertaken in 1793. Entitled A Complete Collection on Chung Mu Gong Yi, it was published in 14 volumes after three years of research. Assigned and protected as the cultural heritage, the collection is an important historical source which illuminates all of Yi�s legacies to Korea.

2. Numerous shrines and monuments dedicated to the admiral�s memory have been built, including the Hyonchungsa Shrine at Asan. All over the southern part of Korea, where vestiges of his footmarks remain � at the sites of his various battles, at Cholla Naval Station, at his training camps and so on � the public continue to visit and pay their respects.

   The world�s first ironclad warship, the Kobukson, was restored and reconstructed by the Korean Navy in 1980, and placed on exhibit in the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, the Asan Hyeonchungsa Shrine, the War Memorial and the Jinju National Museum.

   The scientific innovation behind Yi�s Kobukson is the spiritual foundation and driving force behind the shipbuilding industry in Korea today. Over 30% of the world�s ships are built in Korean shipyards, and its marine technology is regarded as the most sophisticated in the world. In terms of order volume, it continues to stay ahead of its nearest competitor Japan as it has done for many years.

3. Admiral Yi is one of the most respected figures in Korean history and there are no fewer than 200 books written on him, with 74 published in 2004 and 2005 alone. The biographical novel Song of the Sword, based on the story of the admiral�s life, became a bestseller and was even singled out as recommended reading by Korea�s President Roh Mu-hyun.

4. Since the beginning of the 21^st century, many Koreans have become keen to learn the attitude and methods of Yi Sun-sin for their own development. His integrity, loyalty and devotion, his fine strategies, creative thinking, painstaking forward-planning and emphasis on the gathering of information through contacts all fulfill the criteria demanded of a leader in modern times. The field of economics and management is just one area in which the study and application of Yi�s strategies and leadership has taken root. Professor Ji Yong-hee, author of In Times of Economical Warfare: A Meeting with Yi Sun-sin, is currently giving lectures under the series title �Yi Sun-sin on Business Management�. Regarding Yi as a model for 21^st century leadership, he argues there are many lessons we can learn from him, including being faithful to basics, establishing trust between individuals, striving for innovation, valuing information, and not falling victim to pride.

   �Yi, above all, was strict with his own self, and he stood by his principles till the very end, thereby earning the trust of those around him. Today this might be called �Transparent Management�. Since he founded himself on morality, his subordinates believed and trusted him absolutely. He was moreover very modest. And since modest, he was always prepared.� � Prof. Ji Yong-hee

You know, Easterknight... you could have given us link. The tables you copied and pasted is messing up the thread...

Originally posted by Landsknecht_Doppelsoldner If Korea has Ming's support there is no way Japan could have won, the resource and manpower of Ming is inexhaustable and even if ming is toppled by internal rebellion the Manchus would then help Korea since Japan would have been a threat. I agree about the Chinese manpower advantage, but the ability of a Portugeuse squadron to counter or negate the Korean naval threat would have freed up the Japanese on land, and even if they still ultimately had to pull out, it would likely have lengthened the war.

Actually, the Ming were routed in Vietnam, just as the Qing were.   Both armies were about 200,000 vs Dai Viet's 100,000.  Western historians have observed from Chinese records that once China invaded Vietnam, sooner or later, they were vexed with the question of how to get out of Vietnam, because the war there was bankrupting the China.  (In both Japanese invasions of Korea, the Ming only sent about 100,000 to help the Koreans.  And they were effective!)

Both the Ming and Qing invasions were opportunistic ones in the sense that Dai Viet was internally divided and one side actually invited in the Ming to help them maintain power.  The Ming and Qing came to help--themselves!

Originally posted by Landsknecht_Doppelsoldner He's often considerd the "Francis Drake of Asia".

Wasn't Sir Francis Drake a pirate?!?

Anyway, this Admiral Yi seems truly extraordinary.

Originally posted by demon It all started after Japanese unification under Doyotomi Hideyoshi.  He was an ambitious men, he watned to conquer india.  He also needed to give land to his warriors who served under him.  So, he decided to invade Korea.

Wow, this Hideyoshi has some balls! 

I thought it was China that he really wanted to conquer?  After all it was the Yuan (Mongols) that twice invaded Japan.  When did India ever do such a thing to Japan?

Originally posted by demon The first wave reached Busan.  The soldiers, never seen a musket in their life, thought that these Japanese were using spears and so brought longer spears to "deal" with them.  Of course, they failed miserably.

Did Ming soldiers have muskets?  They certainly had cannons.

Originally posted by demon The T cross tactic was later used by a Japanese general who studied Yi to defeat the Russians in Japo-Russian war.

Admiral Togo? 

Originally posted by demon By this time, Won Kiun(mentioned before Yi started) got jealous of Yi and decided to incriminate him for a crime ne never commited.  Yi was soon exiled to death, and on his way, it is said that his father died...and he could not visit the place because he was in exile (It was a bad thing due to the fact that Korea at that time was confusious).  Then, by persuation of another brilliant terrestrial general, Wol Kiun, Yi was back on duty, but under the title of ChoongMuGong, meaning "loyal but without honor".  During that time, the battle of Chil Chul Riang waged on, under leadership of Won Kiun.

No good deed goes unpunished! 

Originally posted by Landsknecht_Doppelsoldner Originally posted by Tobodai oh hes more than that, I think if you add all enemy ships sunk and battles would , statisitcally, be the best admiral in history. OK let's not get carried away...

I dunno, but he's certainly a good candidate for it!

If demon's data is accurate, then I would say Yi is! 

Think about it:

1.  Yi's undefeated.
2.  He's was often outnumbered.
3.  He was terribly innovative.
4.  His victories were so staggeringly lop-sided.
5.  He practically saved a country.  His navy was to Korea, what the RAF was to Britain in WWII.

Perhaps the only thing against him is the geographically narrow confines of the Imjin War:  He didn't romp all over the world like Alexander, Ghenghis or Napoleon.

Originally posted by Hulegu Han I saw Korean television series about Yi Sun Shin 2 years ago. It wasn't good enough in terms of drama but interesting in regard og history. But I'm not sure whether the scenes are true because I don't now much about Yi Sun Shin...

Originally posted by pekau Originally posted by Hulegu Han I saw Korean television series about Yi Sun Shin 2 years ago. It wasn't good enough in terms of drama but interesting in regard og history. But I'm not sure whether the scenes are true because I don't now much about Yi Sun Shin...   An important history lesson is that drama series in any nationality should not be taken seriously unless you are familiar with the facts.

I'm actually gonna have to say that Yi Sun Shin was historically good compared to other Korean dramas, which just.....

He's often considerd the "Francis Drake of Asia".

I always thought he was considered the "Horatio Nelson of Asia"...

Some quotes

It is always difficult for Englishmen to admit that Nelson ever had an equal in his profession, but if any man is entitled to be so regarded, it should be this great naval commander of Asiatic race who never knew defeat and died in the presence of the enemy; of whose movements a track-chart might be compiled from the wrecks of hundreds of Japanese ships lying with their valiant crews at the bottom of the sea, off the coasts of the Korean peninsula... and it seems, in truth, no exaggeration to assert that from first to last he never made a mistake, for his work was so complete under each variety of circumstances as to defy criticism... His whole career might be summarized by saying that, although he had no lessons from past history to serve as a guide, he waged war on the sea as it should be waged if it is to produce definite results, and ended by making the supreme sacrifice of a defender of his country. (The Influence of the Sea on The Political History of Japan, pp. 66�67.)

And even surpassing Nelson

Throughout history there have been few generals accomplished at the tactics of frontal attack, sudden attack, concentration and dilation. Napoleon, who mastered the art of conquering the part with the whole, can be held to have been such a general, and among admirals, two further tactical geniuses may be named: in the East, Yi Sun-sin of Korea, and in the West, Horatio Nelson of England. Undoubtedly, Yi is a supreme naval commander even on the basis of the limited literature of the Seven-Year War, and despite the fact that his bravery and brilliance are not known to the West, since he had the misfortune to be born in Joseon Dynasty. Anyone who can be compared to Yi should be better than Michiel de Ruyter from Netherlands. Nelson is far behind Yi in terms of personal character and integrity. Yi was the inventor of the iron-clad warship known as the Turtle Ship (Geobukseon). He was a truly great commander and a master of the naval tactics of three hundred years ago. (A Military History of the Empire (Japanese: 帝國國防史論), p. 399)

Perhaps you should read the arguments in this website, where I eventually gave up.