Battle of Hansan Island
Off Hansan Island (Hansando), Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, South Korea
What happened
The Korean Joseon navy under Admiral Yi Sun-sin fought a Japanese fleet under Wakizaka Yasuharu. During the Japanese invasion of Korea in the Imjin War, Admiral Yi sent a few ships to lure the Japanese fleet out of a narrow strait into open water. There his fleet spread out in a 'crane wing' formation, a curved line that wrapped around the enemy, with armoured 'turtle ships' in the centre. Most of the Japanese ships were destroyed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It stopped Japanese naval operations along Korea's southern coast and cut their supply lines by sea. One historian called it Korea's 'Battle of Salamis'.
What came next
Admiral Yi moved his main naval base to Hansan Island.
Did you know?
The battle is the subject of the 2022 Korean film 'Hansan: Rising Dragon'.
Timeline
- 1592The Imjin War is under way.
- 15 August 1592Yi Sun-sin wins at Hansan Island.
- After 1592Yi moves his naval base to Hansan Island.