[Seoul NOW] Reflecting on Yi Sun-sin Once Again

Chungmuro, Named After Admiral Yi Sun-sin's Posthumous Title
Jung-gu, Seoul to Be Developed as a Center of History and Culture
An Era in Need of Yi Sun-sin's Leadership and Wisdom

After Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the street once known as Honmachi-dori (本町通, Bonjeongtong) was given a new name: Chungmuro, derived from Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s posthumous title, “Chungmu.” Geoncheon-dong (now Inhyeon-dong), where Admiral Yi was born and spent part of his childhood and youth, was nearby. At the relatively late age of thirty-two, he passed the military examination at the Training Center (now Training Center Park), received an official post, and began his career. The Jonggak area was the starting point for his journey as a rank-and-file soldier.

In 1946, Kim Hyeongmin, who had just taken office as the first Mayor of Seoul, formed a street-naming committee immediately after his inauguration. He replaced Japanese-style street and place names with Korean ones. Hwanggeumjeongtong (黃金町通) became Euljiro, and Showatong (昭和通) became Toegye-ro. During this period, names such as Chungmuro, Sejong-ro, Chungjeong-ro, and Wonhyo-ro were also introduced. During the Japanese colonial period, central roads and neighborhoods in Seoul had been renamed in the Japanese style?a process known as Changjigaemyeong (創地改名). There was a need to remove remnants of Japanese rule and restore national identity and pride. Streets were named after great historical figures. Yi Sun-sin, King Sejong, Eulji Mundeok, Yi Hwang, Min Yeonghwan, and Monk Wonhyo were among those commemorated in this way.

On April 28, a special event was held at Seoul Namsan Gugakdang in Namsangol Hanok Village, Jung-gu. The event aimed to emphasize that Jung-gu is the birthplace of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and to establish a new sense of identity and future vision for the district by inheriting his courage, wisdom, and devotion to the people. Kim Gilseong, the head of Jung-gu District Office, who organized the event, said that when he sought traces of the admiral, all he found was a single commemorative stone. In front of the Myungbo Art Hall (formerly Myungbo Theater) in Chodong, there is a stone marker about the height of an adult’s thigh that reads “Birthplace of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.” He said it looked shabby and made him feel sad. He added that even if he wanted to teach future generations about Admiral Yi’s spirit, there was neither a commemorative space nor a place of remembrance in Seoul.

In France, the “Maison Bonaparte” (the Bonaparte family home) in Ajaccio on the island of Corsica, where Napoleon was born and spent his childhood, is a major tourist attraction, drawing around 1,000 visitors per day during the summer. The birthplace has also been designated a national museum. The contrast with Korea is stark.

Jung-gu has announced plans to develop the Chungmuro area as a center of historical and cultural significance and to globalize the legacy of Yi Sun-sin. The district will create “Yi Sun-sin Road,” a 766-meter stretch from Namsangol Hanok Village to the Euljiro 3-ga intersection. The site of Yi’s birthplace, included in the Sewoon District, will be turned into a commemorative space through land contributions from redevelopment projects. The district also plans to brand Yi Sun-sin, develop tourism products, and work with local merchants to create food items and souvenirs. Initiatives such as the Admiral Yi Scholarship, Admiral Yi Camp, and historical site tours will be linked together as much as possible.

This September, the first Yi Sun-sin Festival will be held, along with a dedicated Yi Sun-sin Week. Activities will include an archery contest, a walking competition, film screenings and book fairs focused on Yi Sun-sin, turtle ship building, festival street events, and parades?offering a wide range of participatory experiences. Starting next year, the festival will be held annually on April 28, Yi Sun-sin’s birthday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also announced plans to build a large Yi Sun-sin Memorial Hall in the pine forest area of Namsangol Hanok Village, with the goal of opening in the second half of 2028. On April 25, the international academic conference “Meeting Yi Sun-sin in Seoul” was also held, aiming to reinterpret his life and spirit as part of Seoul’s identity.

According to a survey conducted last year by Gallup Korea, Yi Sun-sin was ranked as the most respected figure among Koreans. The leadership, crisis management, and devotion to the people demonstrated by Yi Sun-sin are qualities and values essential for today’s leaders in Korean society. In just over a month, a presidential election will be held to choose the next leader of the Republic of Korea. It is worth reflecting on why the new president is seeking to revive the 480-year-old admiral, and considering the question: “Why Yi Sun-sin, again?”