Admiral
Yi Sun-shin: Korea's Greatest WarriorAdmiral
Yi Sun-shin: Korea's Greatest Warrior
By Alain Burrese
Throughout
history, there have been many great military leaders honored for their service
to their countries. The great Korean commander, Admiral Yi Sun-shin, of the late
sixteenth century, belongs with the best of the military leaders in any part of
the world.
In 1592, Toyotomi Hideyoshi gave the order to invade Korea. His plan was to
sweep through the peninsula and then conquer China. Hideyoshi's plans may have
been accomplished if it weren't for the leadership of Admiral Yi of the Korean
Navy. He alone was responsible for turning the tide of this important era of
Asian history.
One cannot speak of Admiral Yi without mentioning the kobukson, or turtle ship that he designed. These were the first
ironclad warships, and played a significant part in the war against the Japanese
invaders. To illustrate the effectiveness of these ships and the brilliant
tactics of Admiral Yi, we need only look at one of the many battles he won. On
September 16, 1597, he led 12 turtle ships against 133 Japanese ships in the
Myongnyang Straits. The Koreans sank 31 enemy ships and sent the others fleeing
in this victory.
Unfortunately, Admiral Yi Sun-shin never got to see the rewards of his heroic
efforts and brilliant strategy. On November 19, 1598, Admiral Yi was shot during
the final battle of the war. He commanded that his body be hid by a shield so
his enemies could not see that he had fallen. To his oldest son, he whispered,
"Do not weep, do not announce my death. Beat the drum, blow the trumpet,
wave the flag for advance. We are still fighting. Finish the enemy to the last
one." He was 54 years old when he died.
Yi Sun-shin kept a careful record of daily events in a diary, and it is from
these entries, along with the reports he sent to the throne during the war, that
much about the man has been learned. These works have been published in English
as Nanjung Ilgi: War Diary of Admiral Yi
Sun-sin, and Imjin Changch'o: Admiral
Yi Sun-sin's Memorials to Court. (Translated by HA Tae-hung, Yonsei
University Press)
In these writings, we can find many useful lessons for today. From Admiral Yi's
writings, we can infer that a warrior must master three roads, four obligations, five skills, and ten
keys to security.
"The three roads are knowledge of the world; understanding of things as
they are; and wisdom toward humanity.
The four obligations are to provide national security with minimal cost; to lead
others unselfishly; to suffer adversity without fear; to offer solutions without
laying blame.
The five skills are to be flexible without weakness; to be strong without
arrogance; to be kind without vulnerability; to be trusting without naiveté;
and to have invincible courage.
The ten keys to security are purity of purpose, sound strategy, integrity,
clarity, lack of covetousness, lack of addiction, a reserved tongue,
assertiveness without aggression, being firm and fair, and patience."
These beliefs are some that I try to follow, as did Admiral Yi. I feel they are as relevant today as they were in the sixteenth
century when he lived by them.
Besides being remembered as a tactical genius, Admiral Yi is also remembered as
a man of personal integrity. His posthumous title, Ch'ungmu-kong (Lord of
Loyalty and Chivalry) is used in Korea's third highest military honor, the Order
of Ch'ungmu.
He believed in three essentials for the warrior: humility, discernment, and
courage. He embodied all of them, and lived with integrity throughout his life.
When Admiral Son Ko-i died in 1598, a letter was found among his possessions. It
was from Yi Sun-shin, and in it he wrote, "My life is simple, my food is
plain, and my quarters are uncluttered. In all things, I have sought clarity. I
face the troubles and problems of life and death willingly. Virtue, integrity
and courage are my priorities. I can be approached, but never pushed; befriended
but never coerced; killed but never shamed."
Admiral Yi Sun-shin is truly one of the great warriors of the past, and his
legacy and teachings are a blueprint for success for any modern martial artist
and warrior. His patriotism and integrity can be a role model for all.
There is a statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin in the middle of Sejongno in downtown
Seoul, next to the Kyobo building. Each time I visit the Kyobo Book Center to
look at the English section of books, I stop to admire the statue and reflect on
Korea's greatest warrior.
This was originally in the March 19, 1997 issue of the Korea Herald.
Edited February 2003 for minor changes in accuracy.