In Honor of the Great Hero, Admiral Yi Sun-sin…

Yesterday, during the Armed Forces Day parade, I couldn’t help but reflect on the many weapons displayed. It reminded me that, just like in the Imjin War, when leaders like Won Gyun, who became the naval commander after slandering Yi, took charge, the entire fleet and soldiers were wiped out in battles like the Battle of Chilchonryang. This historical lesson shows how leadership can determine success or complete destruction, even with superior weaponry.

King Seonjo, who fled the capital at the outbreak of the war and even tried to seek asylum in Ming China, was both cowardly and deceitful. He used Won Gyun’s slander as an excuse to imprison Admiral Yi and torture him in an attempt to kill him. This nearly allowed Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s strategic goal of conquering Honam and eliminating Admiral Yi to succeed.

Luckily, thanks to Minister Jeong Tak’s life-risking appeal, Admiral Yi was spared from execution and given the chance to serve again in a lower position. After Won Gyun’s death, Admiral Yi was reinstated as the naval commander of the three provinces. With just 12 remaining ships, which Gyeongsang Naval Commander Bae Seol had salvaged while fleeing from the disastrous Battle of Chilchonryang, Admiral Yi began the miraculous rebuilding of the Jeolla naval forces.

I believe this rebuilding process was nothing short of impossible without Admiral Yi’s leadership. It’s no wonder King Seonjo, within a month of reinstating Yi as commander, issued a royal decree to disband the navy and join the ground forces. But for the first time in his life, Admiral Yi defied the king’s order, famously reporting, ‘Your servant still has 12 ships left,’ and pushed forward with the navy’s reconstruction. This determination led to the legendary victory at the Battle of Myeongnyang and, later, the decisive Battle of Noryang, where Admiral Yi gave his life while driving the Japanese forces from Korea.

Admiral Yi Sun-sin was a true hero and saintly figure, who, with the sole goal of saving the nation, never lost a single battle, from the Battle of Okpo, to Jeokjinpo, Sacheon, Dangpo, Yulpo, Hansando, Angolpo, Busan, and the later battles during the Jeongyu War. Without him, the entire Korean Peninsula could have been lost to the Japanese invaders. He was not just a hero; he was a savior of the nation.

In 1904, during the Russo-Japanese War, Admiral Togo Heihachiro, who led Japan to victory, famously remarked that while he could be compared to Britain’s national hero, Admiral Nelson, who defeated Napoleon’s fleet, he could never be compared to Admiral Yi Sun-sin—this, 300 years after Yi’s death.

Back then, the people knew that only Admiral Yi could protect and save them. Everywhere he went, refugees, native villagers, blacksmiths, fishermen, carpenters, and even peddlers followed him, supporting his efforts. Thanks to their help, within just three months of being reinstated as commander, he was able to construct over 30 warships, recruit soldiers, forge weapons, and stockpile provisions, leading to his victories at the Battle of Myeongnyang and the Battle of Noryang.

Moreover, Admiral Yi’s open leadership and preparation, which were critical to his success in every naval battle, are qualities we need even more today. Before every battle, he always consulted with his subordinates and encouraged them to express their honest opinions. He also emphasized rigorous training and vigilance (through scouting) at all times. Aren’t these two aspects the most important factors for success in our business as well?

Thanks to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, we can live with pride today, and I believe we should live with an endless sense of gratitude.

YB