history of kuk sool won:
1:6 The Yi or Chosen Dynasty: 1392 - 1910

ADMIRAL YI SUN SHIN
Although on land the Japanese destruction of Korea was almost total, it was quite a different story out at sea. Newly developed Korean warships, shaped like giant turtles and clad in iron (the first iron ships in the world), were to prove to be superior and a turning point in the sea battles that followed. The Japanese fleets suffered severe losses and retreated as the greatest military commander Korea had seen since General KIM YU SHIN, seven centuries earlier, emerged in the annals of Korean history. His name was YI SUN SHIN and under his brilliant leadership the Korean navy won many famous victories.

The life of Admiral YI serves as a good example of the HWA RANG fighting spirit. He was a patriot who devoted his life to the service of his country. In 1591, one year prior to the Japanese invasion, Admiral YI was a newly appointed naval commander. Being an educated man and versed in military science, he realised the Japanese threat to his country was serious. He diligently set about building his innovatory warships, stockpiled large amounts of weapons and ammunition and made sure that his sailors were trained and battle ready. When the war began, Admiral YI and his turtle boat armada were prepared. The superior built warships, together with superior strategy and battle readiness of the Korean fleet, ensured victory after victory. Some of the famous sea battles the Korean navy won were at OKPO, DANG PO, DANG HAN PO, HAN SAN DO and PUSAN, thwarting the Japanese ultimate goal of conquering China.