ADMIRAL YI SUN- SIN

The Korean military genius who overcame overwhelming odds to grind Japan’s samurai war machine to a halt

- HARETH AL BUSTANI

Born in Seoul in April 1545, Korean lord Yi Sun-sin wasn't your typical aristocrat. While most well-heeled youth in Joseon-era Korea shared a Confucian disdain for martial arts, Yi hurled himself into the traditional pursuits of archery, horse riding and swordsmanship. As his wealthy peers searched for ways to evade military service, Yi served with pride. In an exam in 1576, he was thrown

from his horse so violently he broke a leg. Undeterred, he fashioned a splint from a willow branch and dragged himself back onto his horse to complete the test.

After graduating, he was made a navy commander on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. However, he soon learned a bitter lesson about the petty intrigues that plagued the Joseon military. When Yi dared to speak out against institutional corruption, his furious superiors stripped him of his title and forced him to take command of the fortress of Konwon, a dangerous position on the northern frontiers where they hoped he might be killed. The fortress was attacked soon after by a Jurchen raiding army, but Yi set an ingenious trap that led to the capture and execution of the enemy chief. However, just as his star began to rise, his father suddenly died, requiring him to withdraw from service to mourn.