A section of Chungmuro, near where Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born, will be named 'Yi Sun-sin Road.' In Pil-dong, Jung-gu, the construction of a 'Yi Sun-sin Memorial Hall' is being promoted.
On the 28th, Jung-gu announced that it would declare a future vision titled 'The great beginning of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, again in Jung-gu' to mark the 480th anniversary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's birth at Namsangol Hanok Village, integrating urban branding in education, tourism, and culture. Kim Gil-seong, head of Jung-gu Office, said, 'Jung-gu, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born and spent his childhood, had a significant influence on Yi Sun-sin's character and values.'
Yi Sun-sin was born on April 28, 1545, in Inhyeon-dong, which was then called Gyeoncheondong in Hanseongbu, now Jung-gu. The area around Inhyeon-dong and Chungmuro is also where the precious friendship between young Yi Sun-sin and his friend Ryu Seong-ryong began. Ryu Seong-ryong later recommended Yi Sun-sin, who was then the governor of Jeongeup, as the naval commander of Jeolla province. Jung-gu is also the site where Admiral Yi Sun-sin took the military examination and served in lower-ranking positions such as a training officer.
Currently, there are signs indicating 'the birthplace of Admiral Yi Sun-sin,' established in front of Chungmuro Myeongbo Art Hall in 1985, and a plaque installed in front of Shindo Building near the former birthplace in 2017. A Jung-gu official noted, 'Many people are unaware of it because it is not noticeable.'
On this day, Jung-gu presented the 'Five Roads' project, which signifies the five paths of creating commemorative spaces, communication and harmony, culture and education, welfare, and tourism.
First, the 766-meter section from Namsangol Hanok Village to Euljiro 3-ga intersection will be designated as 'Yi Sun-sin Road,' and the pedestrian environment will be improved. It plans to allow domestic and foreign visitors to walk along this path to commemorate Admiral Yi Sun-sin. A commemorative space that can fully encapsulate his life and spirit will also be created at the site of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's birthplace, included in the Seun redevelopment area.
April 28, the day Admiral Yi Sun-sin was born, will be commemorated every year at the birthplace of Yi Sun-sin. Yi Sun-sin Week will be established, and a festival decorated with various contents themed around Admiral Yi Sun-sin will be held. The festival will include an archery competition, a walking competition, a screening of Yi Sun-sin movies, a book fair, turtle ship-making, street festivals, and parades. This year, Yi Sun-sin Week will run from September 18 to 20.
In a bid to carry on Admiral Yi Sun-sin's spirit of caring for the people, a 'Chungmugong Scholarship' will also be newly established. The community will develop the 'Yi Sun-sin brand' and collaborate with local merchants to present theme foods and souvenirs that match the tastes and emotions of domestic and foreign tourists.
Starting from today, the 'Jung-gu Tour Pass,' which has been in trial operation since March, will be formally launched. The plan is to add stories about Yi Sun-sin to the tour pass and develop themed tours. Additionally, Chungmuro will be enriched with tourism content related to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, allowing foreigners to experience Jung-gu in diverse ways.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is promoting the construction of a 'Yi Sun-sin Memorial Hall' (tentative name) at the pine forest site in Namsangol Hanok Village, Pil-dong, aiming for completion in the second half of 2028. The facility will cover 7,600 square meters, with one basement level and two above-ground levels, featuring exhibition and experience spaces, as well as education and research areas.
Regarding the construction of the memorial hall, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the 'Yi Sun-sin International Academic Conference' at Seoul City Hall on the 25th. Professor Yasushi Inoue from Japan's National Defense University, who presented on the topic, said, 'The strategies Admiral Yi Sun-sin employed during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 were transmitted to 17th-century Japan and are highly regarded today as 'the Nelson of East Asia.' Mark Peterson, a distinguished professor at Brigham Young University, quoted the words of Admiral Togo Heihachiro of the Japanese Navy, saying, 'Among all commanders under heaven, Yi Sun-sin is the greatest,' assessing leadership.
Oh Se-hoon, the mayor who attended the conference, stated, 'Seoul is a meaningful place where the life and spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin are embedded,' adding, 'With the establishment of the memorial hall, we will share the general's wisdom and spirit with the world.'