자신과 나라의 역경을 극복한 성웅, 이순신 Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who Overcame Personal and National Crises 필사즉생, 필생즉사, 병법에 이르기를 죽으려 하면 살고, 살려고 하면 죽는다 하였고, 또 한 사람이 길목을 지키면 1000명의 적도 두렵게 할 수 있다는 말이 있는데, 모두 우리를 두고 하는 말이다. 적이 비록 1000척이라도 감히 우리에게 덤벼들지 못할 것이다. 조금도 마음을 동요하지 말고 힘을 다해 적을 쏘아라. (난중일기, 1597. 9.15) It is said that he who risks death shall live, and he who seeks life shall die. Also, one man who guards a road can scare one thousand enemies alone. These sayings are all for us. If the enemy comes to us with their thousand ships, they will never dare to attack us so easily. So, don't be so agitated, just go out to fight against the enemy. -- From Nanjung ilgi (Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin), September 15, 1597 Yi Sun-sin was a naval commander who made outstanding military achievements. He is still praised by Koreans for his virtuous deeds and exemplary conduct. In his early childhood, his courage and leadership made him a popular leader among the children in town. He was quite a determined child, and later became a great hero who saved the country from a national crisis. When he was 28 years old, he took a state examination to be a military officer but he fell from a horse and his left leg was severely broken. People who witnessed this accident thought he must have died, but he surprised those watching by getting up on one leg and then splinting the broken leg with some bark from a nearby tree. This episode demonstrates his unwavering independence. After he passed the examination, he started his military career as a low ranking official in the northern area at the age of 32. However, there were many troubles in his life as an officer. In February 1591, another renowned scholar-official named Yu Seong-ryong recommended Yi Sun-sin as the Commander of Left Jeolla Province. By that time, he foresaw the danger of Japanese invasions and prepared to improve the military power of his region by establishing disciplines, expanding the budget, and developing weapons. On April 13, 1592, the Japanese army invaded the Korean Peninsula, as Admiral Yi had worriedly predicted, and hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers attacked Joseon, which was completely unprepared for war. The Battle of Hansando in 1592 is one of the most famous battles in Korean history, and after this battle the war situation changed in favor of Joseon. During the battle, 73 Japanese ships were at a narrow strait called Gyeonnaeryang, and its geographical condition was disadvantageous for the Joseon navy. Therefore, Yi Sun-sin decided to maneuver the Japanese ships toward the wide sea in front of Hansando Island for an intensive attack against the enemy in a 'crane formation.' The semicircular shaped 'crane wing' formation was overwhelmingly powerful, since a concentrated attack was possible on the besieged enemy. This brilliant operation is still praised by many naval battle experts in the world, and the modern navy of many countries has utilized his strategies as well. 내가 제일로 두려워하는 사람은 이순신이며 가장 미운 사람도 이순신이며, 가장 좋아하는 사람도 이순신이며 가장 흠모하고 숭상하는 사람도 이순신이며 가장 죽이고 싶은 사람 역시 이순신이며, 가장 차를 함께 하고 싶은 이도 바로 이순신이다. - 임진왜란 참전 왜군 장수, 와키사카 야스하루 "Yi Sun-sin is the man that I'm most afraid of, the man that I hate the most, the man that I like the most, the man that I admire and respect the most, the man that I want to kill the most, and the man that I'm eager to have a cup of tea together with." -- Yasuharu Wakizaka (Japanese commander who served in the war between Joseon and Japan)

• published: 18 Jan 2013
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