Battle of Noryang

The allied Joseon and Ming fleets intercepted the withdrawing Japanese navy at Noryang and won a major victory. Yi Sun-sin was killed in the battle.

When Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in the eighth month of 1598 the Japanese hurried to withdraw. Konishi Yukinaga, blockaded at Suncheon by the Joseon and Ming fleets, called on Shimazu Yoshihiro and others at Sacheon and Namhae for help.

Yi Sun-sin and the Ming admiral Chen Lin lay in wait as Shimazu’s fleet of some 500 ships came through Noryang on the night of the 18th of the eleventh month, and by dawn on the 19th had destroyed about 200. Pursuing the fleeing enemy off Gwaneumpo, Yi was hit by a bullet. He is said to have ordered: "The battle is at its height — do not announce my death."

Meanwhile Konishi’s army slipped out of Suncheon and sailed home. Noryang was the last battle of the Imjin War. Yi was later given the posthumous title Chungmu.