Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:04:56-1:05:59

Yi Sun-sin's loyalty and the frustrations of the Imjin War

The frustrations of the Joseon court prompt a fanciful alternative for Yi Sun-sin, whose loyalty makes that alternative inconsistent with his character.

Civil Military RelationsImjin WarJoseon DynastyMilitary LeadershipYi Sun-sin
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Question

What is appealing and frustrating about studying the Imjin War?

Short answer

The war offers much to study, but the Joseon government's treatment of Yi Sun-sin is frustrating; his loyalty makes an imagined bid to overthrow it implausible.

Notes

Frustration with the Joseon government leads to an imagined alternative in which Yi Sun-sin bargains with Japan or China for power to repair the political system. This is a reaction to the court's behavior, rather than a plan attributed to the admiral. His loyalty and temperament make such a seizure of power implausible in the interpretation offered here. Even control of the state would leave him dealing with the bureaucracy that caused so much frustration.