Emily Hong
Many people around the world are trying to spread the knowledge of this figure to help the world itself.
In our modern days, so many things have happened like terrorist attacks, broken peace treaties, and wars etc. These are just a few examples of how our morals and ethics have gone haywire in only about 400 years. If people were raised knowing Yi Sun Shin’s characteristics of loyalty, honesty, integrity and so on, it’s very possible we could’ve lived in another world. Yi Sun Shin sets an example of a loyal friend, an honest person, and a courageous hero who knows humbleness.
Admiral Yi Sun Shin was a world-wide renowned general. He is seen as one of the most tactically clever generals ever and was referred to as the Savior of the Chosun Kingdom. He is considered a hero still to this very day and many people look up to him as a role model, not only for military related subjects but also moral and character as well. It is said he was interested in battles and war since being a child and enlisted in the military at his young age of 20. His road to becoming a hero was a long, hard journey. Being exceptionally smart and talented, he stood out of the rest and once even captured an enemy chief with a brilliant plan.
However, he was falsely accused and repeatedly imprisoned, due to his success, by those around him who wanted his success and prosperity. He finally was put in his place when he was given the position of commander of the navy. Sadly, while he was serving in the navy, his mother fell ill and died, but he could not leave his post and attend her funeral. It’s known that Yi Sun Shin showed great filial piety toward his mother and father as he grew up, even referring to them as “Heaven”, which shows how high he placed them in his life. In his final battle, he only had 13 ships to take on the Japanese navy but he rallied his men and took the enemy head on. He defeated around 133 Japanese enemy ships that very same day ending with 12 ships left. He is truly someone who is very wise enough to admire and will continue to be looked up to by future generations.
One characteristic I especially admire is his integrity. He was very wise for someone who lived in the Chosun period which was full of classes and ranks. One's personal' life could be considered more important than another’s because of his background, class, and family. Yi Sun Shin was known for treating everyone equally, no matter if one was from a poor family or an illegitimate son, or even a nobleman. He treated everyone humanely which is still a problem in our societies today. Today, and especially in the U.S.A., it is said everyone is equal but in a deeper darker sense not everyone is. For example, a billionaire could get away with a shoplifting crime while a poor person shoplifting could get imprisoned. In our modern day society, many things have gotten worse comparing it with Yi Sun Shin’s time. If we had a figure today who was like Yi Sun Shin in every aspect our societies could become better instantly with the morals and ethics we raise our families with.
Our society in America is very loose because one person could change the whole nations viewpoint of a certain subject, for example, when the terrorist group of Isis was named in America it caused a huge problem between Americans and people who wore hijabs or looked Muslim related. Yi Sun Shin was a very upright man whose morals and values still carry on to this day.
One characteristic I want to emulate from Yi Sun Shin is humbleness. It was repeatedly demonstrated throughout his life where he never complained against the king who almost put him to death or when he was promoted and he received the promotion humbly. These days not many people understand humbleness and start many complications over this. Many obstacles could easily be removed if people were just a bit more humble toward each other and treated one another equally. If Yi Sun Shin himself was taught to kids around the world many harmful events could be avoided just because a child, or grownup heard about Yi Sun Shin.
Yi Sun Shin has a huge effect on many Koreans today as he is a huge part in Koreans’ lives and represents the Korean people's hope and courage to stand against even the biggest enemies. If other countries also learned about his ethics and morals could become even better in those countries. Things unknown to some people but known to others is how the idea of sharing knowledge starts. People learn through communication and if Yi Sun Shin was shared with other countries other than Korea this world could potential become a little better. “He who seeks death shall live, and he who seeks life shall die”--Yi Sun Shin.
Emily Hong
5600 Stillwater Ct. Burke, VA
(571) 455 - 4590
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Grade 10