 
Chungyeolsa (Shrine)
Chungyeolsa (Shrine) is dedicated to the memory of Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598), Korea's most famous naval
hero. Adm. Yi was given the posthumous title of Chungmugong, meaning "a man of loyal valor."
The shrine was built by local scholars and admirers in 1632, 34 years after the Admiral was killed in action.
It was dismantled and rebuilt in 1659 by Naval Commander Jong-Ik and was given the name Chungyeolsa by
the court three years later in 1662. President Park Chung Hee rewrote the plaques for the shrine in 1965. It
was repaired and designated an historic site in April 1973.
Site of Adm. Yi Sun-sin's Death
Adm. Yi. Sun-sin died here in the last fierce naval engagement with Japanese invaders at Gwaneumpo.
While chasing retreating Japanese vessels, Adm. Yi was hit by a stray shot and fell on the morning of
November 19 (lunar calendar) 1598. In 1832, 234 years after Adm. Yi's death, a monument in honor of the
fallen naval hero was erected with the inscription written by scholar Hong Seok-ju of the Homgmun Academy.
After Korea's liberation from Japan (1945), 7,000 inhabitants of Namhae county voluntarily contributed money
and created a garden and a pilgrimage road leading to the monument. One of the plaques contributed by
President Park Chung Hee reads Yiraksa ("the shrine where Yi fell"). The other reads
Daeseongunhae ("Big Star Fallen in the Sea").
This pavilion overlooks the sea where Admiral Yi was killed in a naval battle during the 1592-98 Japanese
invasions. After leading the Noryang Battle (the last of the major battles on the sea during the war) to
a resounding victory, Admiral Yi was hit by a chance enemy shot whilst attacking the retreating Japanese
forces. He died after giving instructions not to make his death known until after the battle was over. Built
to memorialize the admiral's outstanding valor and patriotism, this two-story pavilion was dedicated on
February 16, 1991.
Turtle Ship
The famous iron clad Turtle Ship was made in 1591 by Admiral Yi. At the time, he was commander of one of the 4
fleets in the Korean South Sea and he foresaw the invasion by the Japanese. This Turtle Ship was built on
January 31, 1980, by the Korea Navy using military reports of the original vessels. A personal journal of
Admiral Yi and other related records were included in the exhibit after their authenticity was ascertained by
Yi Eun-Sang and 16 other leading experts on turtle ships and the life of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin.
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