The Significance of Seoul, Birthplace of Yi Sun-sin... International Academic Conference to Be Held

Admiral Yi Sun-sin: Born in Seoul, Began Military Service as an Ordinary Soldier
Leading Scholars from Korea and Abroad Present on Seven Key Topics

In commemoration of the 480th anniversary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's birth, an international academic conference will be held to explore the historical significance of Seoul, the city where the admiral was born.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on April 24 that it will host the international academic conference titled "Yi Sun-sin, Meeting in Seoul" at 10:30 a.m. on April 25 in the multipurpose hall on the 8th floor of Seoul City Hall's main building.

This conference aims to shed new light on the history of Seoul, which served as Admiral Yi Sun-sin's birthplace, the center of his official career, and the starting point of his military service as an ordinary soldier. It will provide a comprehensive overview of domestic and international research achievements on Admiral Yi Sun-sin, historical evaluations, and the traces of history that remain throughout Seoul.

Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born in 1545 in Geoncheon-dong, which is now believed to be the area around Inhyeon-dong, and spent his childhood there. Both his central government service and the beginning of his service as an ordinary soldier also took place in Seoul. Nevertheless, only small-scale facilities such as the "Birthplace Marker of Admiral Yi Sun-sin" and the "Chungmugong Story Exhibition Hall" are currently in operation in Seoul.

The conference will feature presentations by prominent scholars from Korea and abroad. Mark Peterson, professor emeritus at Brigham Young University in the United States, will deliver the keynote address on the topic "Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin: Personal Reflections, National Admiration, International Respect." This will be followed by seven thematic presentations, including: Lee Sangbae, Director of the Seoul Institute of History, on "Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin: Why Seoul?"; Inoue Yasushi, professor at the National Defense Academy of Japan, on "Historical Evaluation of Yi Sun-sin from a Japanese Perspective"; and Sun Weiguo, professor at Nankai University in China, on "The Life and Influence of Ming Admiral Chen Lin and Joseon Naval Commander Yi Sun-sin."

After each thematic presentation, a general discussion will be moderated by Son Seungcheol, professor emeritus at Kangwon National University.

Ma Chaesook, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Culture Headquarters, stated, "This international academic conference provides an opportunity to newly highlight the historical significance of Seoul throughout Admiral Yi Sun-sin's life," and added, "Going forward, Seoul will expand public cultural infrastructure based on historical sites and heritage related to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, so that both citizens and the world can remember and experience them together."