Yi Il

Yi Il was a distinguished Korean general who lived from 1538 to 1601.^[1]

Life

Yi Il was born in 1538. In 1558, Yi passed the military examination (무과; 武科) and served as Jeollajwasusa (전라좌수사) and Gyeongwonbusa (경원부사). In 1583, when Nitangjie (니탕개, 尼湯介), the Wild Jurchens rebelled against the Joseon government in Hoeryeong, Yi repelled the rebel forces. In 1586, as Nitangjie rebelled again, Yi had swept base of rebel forces as Hoeryeong Busa (회령부사) and Yi became Hambuk Byeongmajeoldosa (함북병마절도사) thanks to his contribution. Yi attacked Jurchen in revenge for their invasion. In the attack, Yi killed about 380 soldiers of Jurchen and burnt about 200 houses. In 1589, Yi discussed national defense in frontier with Shin Rip and Jung Eon-sin as Jellabyeongsa (전라병사). Yi also expended Jeseungbangryak (제승방략), the book on military strategy in the Joseon dynasty.In 1592, when the Imjin War occurred, Yi was Sunbyeonsa (순변사). On 24 April 1532, Yi fought against Japan at the Battle of Sangju. Yi organized a unit about 800 soldiers but they were unstructured. Yi started to train with them on 25 April. They were defeated by Japan in a surprise attack. Yi had ran off to Chungju and met Shin Rip. Shin Rip tried to kill Yi but Yi wasn't killed because Kim Yeo-mul stopped Shin Rip. Yi participated in Battle of Chungju with Shin Rip and he was defeated and pulled back to Pyongan Province once again. Yi contributed to recapture Pyeongyang with forces of Ming by winning Siege of Pyongyang on 8 January 1593. Later, he had trained the forces and as Hanyang was recaptured and Hulleondogam (훈련도감) was founded became Ubyeon Pododaejang (우변포도대장) and concentrated on training soldiers as Jwajisa (좌지사). Yi settled the rebellion of Song Yu-jin as Sunbyeonsa (순변사). In 1601, Yi died in Jeongpyeong while he was being transported on the suspicion of murder.^[2][3]

References