Korean history1592 – 159812 events
Imjin War
From the Japanese invasion to the Battle of Noryang — the righteous armies, Yi Sun-sin at sea, and Ming intervention
Byeon Bak · Public domain · Source
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12 events in this theme
- 1592 – 1598Imjin War
A seven-year war that began with Japan's invasion of Joseon in 1592 and lasted until 1598. Ming China sent troops, turning it into an East Asian international war.
The first Japanese division under Konishi Yukinaga landed at Busan and took Busanjin Fortress in a day. Its commander Jeong Bal died defending it.
About ten days into the war Gwak Jae-u raised a volunteer militia in Uiryeong, and militias soon rose across the country.
- 1592Battle of Okpo
The Joseon navy under Yi Sun-sin won its first major victory over the Japanese fleet at Okpo on Geoje Island.
Yi Sun-sin lured the Japanese fleet out of the Gyeonnaeryang strait and crushed it off Hansando with his crane-wing formation, closing the western sea route to Japanese supply.
Magistrate Kim Si-min held Jinju Fortress for six days with about 3,000 men against some 20,000 Japanese troops, but died of his wounds.
Ming relief forces under Li Rusong and Joseon troops retook Pyongyang, and Konishi Yukinaga's army fell back south.
Gwon Yul repelled an assault by more than 30,000 Japanese troops on Haengju Fortress, with townspeople carrying stones to the defenders.
- 1597 – 1598Jeongyu War
When peace talks collapsed, Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent his armies again. The fighting lasted until his death the following year.
The Joseon fleet under Won Gyun was ambushed and almost wiped out at Chilcheollyang off Geoje; Won Gyun himself was killed.
Restored to command, Yi Sun-sin used the fierce currents of the Uldolmok strait to beat back some 130 Japanese ships with his remaining 13.
The allied Joseon and Ming fleets intercepted the withdrawing Japanese navy at Noryang and won a major victory. Yi Sun-sin was killed in the battle.
Key people
- Hyujeong (Seosan Daesa)1520 – 1604
Buddhist master who, as supreme commander of monks, raised monk soldiers across the country in the Imjin War and joined the recapture of Pyongyang
- Yujeong (Samyeong Daesa)1544 – 1610
Hyujeong's disciple who led monk soldiers in the Imjin War and after the war went to Japan to negotiate and bring captives home
- Ryu Seong-ryong1542 – 1607
Chief State Councillor who directed the war effort during the Imjin War, proposed the Hullyeon Dogam, and wrote the Jingbirok
- Sin Rip1546 – 1592
General who made a back-to-the-river stand at Tangeumdae, Chungju, early in the Imjin War and died when routed by Konishi Yukinaga
- Jo Sik (Nammyeong)1501 – 1572
Neo-Confucian scholar of western Gyeongsang who stressed reverence, righteousness and practice; his disciples formed the Northerners and led militias in the Imjin War
Kim Si-min1554 – 1592Magistrate of Jinju who held the fortress in 1592 but died of wounds from the siege