Korean turtle ships and the question of early naval armour

The turtle ships associated with Admiral Yi Sun-sin were historically important vessels, but their exact construction remains uncertain. Modern replicas cannot substitute for physical evidence from an original ship. The dispute over iron protection includes plates, spikes, locally protected areas, and wood made to resemble iron. The ships helped Korea resist Japanese invasion, while their connection with a commander whom the monarchy regarded as a political threat helps explain why the vessels were not carefully retained. Resolving the armour question would affect how historians understand Korean naval warfare and the longer history of protected fighting ships.