Yi Sunshin
Yi Sunshin (이순신:李舜臣, April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598) was a Korean admiral renowned for his naval victories against the invading Japanese during the Korean War of 1592-1598.
Family & early life
Yi Sunshin was born on April 28, 1545 in the Geoncheon-dong area of Seoul. Yi was the third of the four sons begot by Yi Jeong (이정:李貞) and Chogyae Byeonssi (초계변씨:草溪卞氏)[1]. Despite their aristocratic yangban lineage, the family lived a modest life, since Yi's father opted to avoid the promising path of a Joseon Dynasty scholar official. The reason for this withdrawal of ambitions was Jeong's bitter memory of a violent political purge 20 years before, in which many government officials were killed, and many others, including Sunshin's grandfather Yi Baek-rok (이백록:李百祿), were demoted to the lower ranks.[2][3]
When Chogyae Byeonssi was pregnant with her third child, Yi Baek-rok appeared to her in a dream and told her, "that child will turn out to be extraordinary, so name him 'Sunshin'."[4]
A survey conducted by Sooncheonhyang University in 2005 indicated that Koreans generally regard Yi Sunshin to be the greatest figure in Korean history.[5]
notes
- ↑ Note: Korean women keep their last name upon marriage
- ↑ 선비가문, 지혜에 담력 갖춘 지장: 이순신과 임진왜란의 재조명 by Yi Naewon, Washington Hangook Ilbo, 2003-04-29, date accessed: 2008-07-27
- ↑ 기묘사화 (己卯士禍), Korea Britannica Encyclopedia, Daum.net, date accessed: 2008-07-27
- ↑ 이순신의 탄생과, 그 무렵의 국내 정세, 성웅 이순신 project, Asan municipal government. date accessed: 2008-07-27.
- ↑ Citizens Name Admiral Yi 'Greatest Korean', Chosun Ilbo, 2005-04-15, date-accessed: 2008-07-24