Changes

Yi joined the navy in [[1580]] and was appointed commander of the Left Jeolla-do Naval District. After being falsely accused of desertion, however, he was forced to leave the navy and returned to being an officer in the Military Training Center in [[1582]]. His father passed away the following year, and Yi left the military to enter into a three-year formal period of mourning.

Yi joined the navy in [[1580]] and was appointed commander of the Left Jeolla-do Naval District. After being falsely accused of desertion, however, he was forced to leave the navy and returned to being an officer in the Military Training Center in [[1582]]. His father passed away the following year, and Yi left the military to enter into a three-year formal period of mourning.

Yi returned to the military in [[1586]] as an officer in Hamgyeong-do, contributing to a campaign against the [[Jurchens]]. His political or personal opponents continued to plot against him, however, making accusations which led to Yi being stripped of his post and rank again in [[1587]]. Despite losing his position as commander, he continued to serve for several months as a rank-and-file soldier. He was then pardoned the following year following certain victories against the Jurchens, and quickly rose through the ranks again, being appointed to several different official posts in [[1589]]-[[1591]] (including serving as magistrate of Jindo)

Yi returned to the military in [[1586]] as an officer in Hamgyeong-do, contributing to a campaign against the [[Jurchens]]. His political or personal opponents continued to plot against him, however, making accusations which led to Yi being stripped of his post and rank again in [[1587]]. Despite losing his position as commander, he continued to serve for several months as a rank-and-file soldier. He was then pardoned the following year following certain victories against the Jurchens, and quickly rose through the ranks again, being appointed to several different official posts in [[1589]]-[[1591]] (including serving as magistrate of Jindo) before returning to a commanding position in the navy by [[1592]].

==Imjin War==

==Imjin War==

Yi led the Korean navy in a number of decisive victories against the samurai forces. These began as early as [[1592]], as he defeated Japanese fleets at Okpo, and again at Hansando. Yi is celebrated in Korea for his strategic or tactical genius, but the technologies employed in these battles also feature prominently, and include highly-armored [[turtle ships]], and various forms of cannon. In addition to merely winning victories, Yi succeeded in cutting off Japanese supply lines in the waters on the western side of the Korean peninsula, and simultaneously protecting the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming Chinese]]/Korean supply lines.<ref>Morgan Pitelka, ''Spectacular Accumulation'', University of Hawaii Press (2016), 76-78.</ref>

Samurai forces landed at [[Pusan]] in 1592/4, moving on to Seoul in the 5th month and Pyongyang in the 6th month. Yi led the Korean navy in a number of decisive victories against the samurai forces, however, beginning with the sinking of some 40 Japanese ships at Okpo, Happo, and Jeokjinpo on 5/7-5/8. Several weeks later (5/29-6/10), he led his navy in sinking some 70 Japanese ships at Sacheon, Dangpo, Danghanpo, and Yulpo. The following month saw further decisive victories for Yi and the Korean navy, including the destruction of 59 ships at the [[battle of Hansando]] on 7/8 and victory again two days later at Angolpo. The [[battle of Busanpo]] on 8/24-9/2 brought yet another crushing defeat for the Japanese forces, who lost 130 ships to Yi's turtle ships. Yi led seven more attacks on the Japanese navy in the 2nd and 3rd months of [[1593]], and on 1593/8/15 was named commander of the naval forces of the three southern provinces.

 

Yi is celebrated in Korea for his strategic or tactical genius, but the technologies employed in these battles also feature prominently, and include highly-armored [[turtle ships]], and various forms of cannon. In addition to merely winning victories, Yi succeeded in cutting off Japanese supply lines in the waters on the western side of the Korean peninsula, and simultaneously protecting the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming Chinese]]/Korean supply lines.<ref>Morgan Pitelka, ''Spectacular Accumulation'', University of Hawaii Press (2016), 76-78.</ref>

Throughout the war, for seven years, Yi kept a war diary, entitled ''Nanjung ilgi'' (亂中日記).

Throughout the war, for seven years, Yi kept a war diary, entitled ''Nanjung ilgi'' (亂中日記).