Walking south of the statue of the great King Sejong the Great brings you to the towering statue of Admiral Yi Sunshin, also known as Yi Sun-sin. The statue is officially named 12.23 Fountain in honor of the 23 battles he fought using 12 warships. Yi, born on April 28, 1545, is best known for his military achievements during the Imjin War.
The Imjin War took place during the Joseon Dynasty from 1592 to 1598. Until his death in 1598, Yi remained one of the only undefeated naval admirals and most well respected in military history. Astonishingly, he received no naval combat training prior to the war.
During the Battle of Myeongnyang, Yi’s fleet was outnumbered 333 ships to 13 against the Japanese navy. Remarkably, the Japanese were defeated elevating Yi to a naval genius.
Yi was killed by a single bullet on December 16, 1598 at the age of 53. He lost his life during the Battle of Noryang. At the time, the mighty Japanese army was all but defeated in the Korean Peninsula.
Table of Contents
Statue Of Admiral Yi Sunshin Hours
24 hoursAdmission
FreeMap
Additional Resources
Viator
Viator is a popular online platform that helps travelers book tours, activities, and unique experiences worldwide, including in Seoul. It connects users with a wide selection of options, such as sightseeing tours, cultural events, outdoor adventures, and more, all offered by local providers. Travel easily, with free cancellation and flexible payment options, making Viator an excellent choice for stress-free tour booking.
Book Recommendations
While The Seoul Guide provides plenty of information about traveling to Seoul, sometimes it helps to bring a book with you on your journey. Want to visit Gwangjang Market, hike Bukhansan National Park, visit an ancient palace, or sing karaoke all night long? The book I always recommend is Fodor's Seoul, which provides expert recommendations including sights to see, restaurant reviews, maps, and essential trip-planning information for everything related to Seoul.
Learn more about book recommendations
Rakuten
Save money while exploring Seoul with Rakuten cashback program. By booking hotels through Rakuten, visitors can earn cashback rewards and enjoy significant savings. Exclusive partnerships and deals make stays in Seoul more affordable, freeing up funds for attractions, dining, and other experiences. I use Rakuten for cashback on all of my hotel stays in Seoul.
If you sign up using the link below, you will get $30 cashback after your first purchase over $30.
Klook
Klook is a reliable online platform offering discounted tickets and reservations for attractions and services in Seoul. It covers theme parks, museums, transportation, WiFi, tours, and more. Travelers can save time and money by booking through Klook's user-friendly interface, with secure transactions and helpful customer support.
If you sign up using the link below, you will get $5 off your first order.
Learn more about KlookLast Updated on Dec 23, 2021