Jeseungdang

 place with historical importance, shrine

Jeseungdang is a historically important site where, in 1592, during Imjin Waeran (Japanese invasion of Joseon from 1592-1598), Admiral Yi Sun-sin built Unjudang Hall after the triumph at the Great Battle of Hansando, a momentous victory in the global history of naval battles and designated it as the strategic headquarters of the Naval Forces of Three Provinces from 1593 to 1597, whereby he could rule the sea and overcome the national crisis.

In 1739, Commander in Chief Jo Gyeong had Unjudang Hall reconstructed, and dedicated a monument to it 142 years after Unjudang Hall had been destroyed and closed in 1597. Since then, the government designated it a Historic Site in 1959 and has repaired it several times, but the restorations have seemed insufficient in many respects to enshrine our national hero, Admiral Yi-Sun-sin.

After the late President Park Chung-hee visited in 1975, he ordered that the great achievements of Admiral Yi Sun-sin be honored in order to hand down his spirit of self-sacrifice to save the country and to lead it onto posterity, the Hall was expanded and renovated in 1976, as it appears today.

Unjudang Hall (today's Jeseungdang Hall), where Admiral Yi Sun-sin commanded the Naval Forces of Three Provinces when he was still alive, as well as other attached facilities including Chungmusa Shrine where the portrait of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is displayed, and many common oratory monuments including monuments, Hansan-jeong (archery field), and Suru (to watch the movements of the enemy in the tower) were refurbished and restored.

Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born in Geoncheondong, Seoul, on March 8, 1545 (in the Lunar Calendar) as the third son of his father Yi Jeong of the Yi clan from Deoksu, and his mother from the Chogyeo Byeon clan.

In 1576, he passed the military officer examination at the age of 32. He began his career as Gwonji Hullyeonwon Bongsa, a probationary military officer at the bottom rank; he was then posted in the northern frontier region in Hamgyeongdo. After having filled a series of posts like Manho in Balpo Navy Force, Manho in Josanbo, and Chamgun of Hullyeonwon (military training center), he was appointed officer with the title of Hyeongam in Jeongeup in 1589 at the age of 45, and then promoted to naval commander with the title Sugun Jeoldosa of the western part of Jeollado Province in 1591.

When the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of Joseon) broke out in 1592, at the age of 48, he defeated the Japanese enemy at the first battle of Okpo on May 7 (in the Lunar Calendar) and won many other navy battles in quick succession.

He died in the Naval Battle of No ryang on November 19, 1598 (in the Lunar Calendar) at the age of 54. Admiral Yi Sun-sin, is a national hero who saved the country and people from a disastrous war, left 3 teachings:

⦁ Myeolsav Bonggong - Spirit of putting the country before oneself.
⦁ Changui Gaecheok - Spirit of creativity and innovation shown in inventing Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) and guns.
⦁ Yubi Muhwan - Spirit of preparedness against war.

Yi Sun-sin's grave is located on Eorasan Mountain, Eumbongmyeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnamdo. After his death, King Injo bestowed on him the posthumous title of Chungmu, and King Jeonjo granted him the posthumous office of Yeonguijeong (Prime Minister). Yi Sun-sin had 3 sons and 1 daughter with his wife from the Bang clan of Sangju.