Geobukseon(The Turtle ship)

The Turtle ship, also known as Geobukseon (거북선), was a type of large Korean warship that was used intermittently by the Royal Korean Navy during the Joseon Dynasty from the early 15th century up until the 19th century. It was used alongside the standard Korean Panokseon warships in the fight against invading Japanese naval ships. The ship's name derives from its protective shell-like covering.

The first references to older, first generation turtle ships, known as Gwiseon (귀선; 龜船), come from 1413 and 1415 records in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, which mention a mock battle between a gwiseon and a Japanese warship. However, these early turtle ships soon fell out of use as Korea’s naval preparedness decreased during a long period of relative peace.

Turtle ships participated in the war against Japanese naval forces that supported Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attempts to conquer Korea from 1592-1598. Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin is credited with designing the ship. His turtle ships were equipped with at least five different types of cannons. Their most distinguishable feature was a dragon-shaped head at the bow (front) that could launch cannon fire or flames from the mouth. Each was also equipped with a fully covered deck to deflect arrow fire, musket-shots, and incendiary weapons.^[6] The deck was covered with iron spikes to discourage enemy men from attempting to board the ship. Claims that it was iron-plated remain controversial (see section on decking).

Lee Sun-shin

Lee Sun-shin (April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598, Korean: 이순신, Hanja: 李舜臣) was a Korean naval commander, famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon Dynasty, and is well-respected for his exemplary conduct on and off the battlefield not only by Koreans, but by Japanese Admirals as well. Military historians have compared his naval genius to that of Admiral Horatio Nelson. His title of Samdo Sugun Tongjesa (Hangul : 삼도수군통제사, Hanja :三道水軍統制使), literally meaning "Naval Commander of the Three Provinces," was the title for the commander of the Korean navy until 1896.


Perhaps his most remarkable military achievement occurred at the Battle of Myeongnyang. Outnumbered 333 ships to 13, and forced into a last stand with only his minimal fleet standing between the Japanese Army and Seoul, Yi delivered one of the most astonishing defeats in military history.
Despite never having received naval training or participating in naval combat prior to the war, and constantly being outnumbered and outsupplied, he went to his grave as one of few admirals in world history who remained undefeated after commanding as many naval battles as he did (at least 23).

Yi died at the Battle of Noryang on December 16, 1598. With the Japanese army on the verge of being completely expelled from the Korean Peninsula, he was mortally wounded by a single bullet. His famous dying words were, "The battle is at its height...beat my war drums...do not announce my death."

The royal court eventually bestowed various honors upon him, including a posthumous title of Chungmugong (충무공, 忠武公, Duke of Loyalty and Warfare), an enrollment as a Seonmu Ildeung Gongsin (선무일등공신, 宣武一等功臣, First-class military order of merit during the reign of Seonjo), and two posthumous offices, Yeonguijeong (영의정, 領議政, Prime Minister), and the Deokpung Buwongun (덕풍부원군, 德豊府院君, The Prince of the Court from Deokpung). Yi remains a venerated hero among Koreans today.

Yu Seong-ryong

Yu Seong-ryong (1542–1607) was a scholar-official and Prime minister of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was a member of the "Eastern faction", and a follower of Yi Hwang.
Yu was born in Uiseong, in Gyeongsang province, to a yangban family of the Pungsan Ryu clan.

Biography
Yu is said to have been so precocious that he absorbed the teachings of Confucius and Mencius at the age of 8. In 1564 the 19th year of Myeongjong, he passed the Samasi examination, and in 1566 he passed the Mun-gwa at a special examination, and then took the post of Gwonji bujeongja (권지부정사, 權知副正字). He held various other positions and in 1569 he joined the imperial birthday mission to Ming as a Seojanggwan (서장관, 書狀官), returning to Korea the following year.

In 1590, He was appointed Uuijeong (Third State Councillor) and Pungwon Buwongun (풍원부원군, 豊原府院君). In 1591, He was promoted to Jwauijeong (Second State Councillor) and Ijo Panseo (이조판서, 吏曹判書). However, "Eastern faction" was split as "Southern faction" and "Northern faction". Because of "Western faction's disciplinary punishment, which was led by Jeong Cheol. He was a member of the "Southern faction".

He was in the rank of provincial Dochechalsa (도체찰사, 都體察使) when the Imjin War broke out in 1592 also he was appointed Yeonguijeong, the Chief State Councillor or Prime Minister. Yu Seongryong accompanied the royal family at Hanseong to Uiju.
In this capacity, he oversaw all military units and called leaders like Yi Sun-sin and Gwon Yul to battle. He also fought on the Korean-Chinese allied forces side in the Siege of Pyongyang. He suggested of establishment the Hunnyeon Dogam (훈련도감, 訓鍊都監, Training capital garrisons).

In 1598, he was ousted by the "Northern faction". King Seonjo rehabilitated him, however, he refused to take office as a minister in 1600. In 1602, Joseon government bestowed honors upon him, as the second rank of Hoseong Gongsin (호성공신, 扈聖功臣), and appointed Pungwon Buwongun again.
After which he spent his time on political writing before died in 1607.
Yu's major writings are preserved in the Seoaejip (The anthology of Seoae, 서애집, 西厓集), Jingborok (The book of Correction, 징비록, 懲毖錄), and minor writings as Hwanghwajip (황화집, 皇華集), Jeongchungrok (정충록, 精忠錄). Yu Seong-ryong was enshrined in the Byeongsan Seowon and Hogye Seowon in Andong, North Gyeongsang.