The shrine named Ssangchung Temple is located in Nokdong, Goheung County, South Jeolla Province. It was built to memorialize two naval admirals, Lee Dae-won and Jeong Un. Both of them were heads of the naval base called Nokdomanho. The memorial service for them is held on May 1 every year.
As Japanese battleships appeared on Sonjuk Island in 1587, Lee, 22 at the time, destroyed 20 Japanese battleships and killed numerous soldiers. At the moment, his higher officer demanded that he should give himself credit for the war, but Lee rejected it. As a result, the chief had a dislike for his attitude.
A few days later, as more Japanese battleships again appeared there, the senior ordered him to make an unconditional attack without adequate preparation. In the situation, Lee told him, "The weather is too bad, and the troops are unprepared for dispatch." However, the higher officer further ordered him to engage the Japanese invaders.
Lee dispatched his troops and fought against the Japanese attackers, but the number of their soldiers was insufficient to win the battle. Nevertheless, Lee did his best to defeat the enemy, but he was killed. Later, the king ordered the people to build a shrine in Nokdong and honor his memory.
After Lee's death, in 1591, as soon as Jeong Un became head of the naval base, the lesson from the battle of Sonjuk Island led him to improve preparations for war. Yi Sun-shin, commander-in-chief of the Eastern Sea of Jeolla Province, praised his preparation. When the Imjin War (1592–1597) broke out, Jeong Un was brave enough to be called to Yi's right arm.
For example, as Japanese battleships invaded the coast of Gyeongsang Province, the commander-in-chief of the area asked Yi to defeat the enemy, but he hesitated. At the moment, Jeong Un told his commander, "As our battleships defeat the enemy in Gyeongsang Province, our sea is safe." Jeong Un's message motivated him to take part in the battle in Gyeongsang Province.
At the first naval battle in Okpo, Jeong Un went to the battle as a vanguard to sink two Japanese ships. His outstanding service helped Yi to defeat the enemy. His continuing distinguished services such as Dangpo, Hansan Island and Busanpo as a vanguard led to Yi's invincibility.
Unfortunately, he was killed in the battle of Busanpo at the age of 50. Due to the death of Jeong Un, Yi lost his war-fighting capability and cried, saying, "There must be death in life, and life depends on heaven, so there is no reason to be sad about death. But I'm heartbroken only about you."
Then, Yi suggested to the king to make a memorial service with Lee at the shrine in Nokdong, and the suggestion was accepted. Since then, memorial services have been held there for the two admirals.
Jeong Un was two years older than Yi. Moreover, he was commissioned earlier than Yi, but his resistance to injustice and uprightness prevented him from advancing to office. However, Yi's martial spirit and personality led Jeong Un to follow his principles.
Two admirals died defending the Kingdom of Joseon. One admiral did so while guarding an area, the other did so while shielding his country in an extremely precarious position. To honor and emulate the will of the two heroes, citizens in Nokdong have imitated their spirit by building Ssangchunggwan, a school auditorium, and Ssangchung roads. Their spirits have not yet disappeared, and the memory of them is being passed on to the local people.
The writer is a retired English teacher who published a book titled "Flower Is Flower."
Ssangchung Temple: honoring Joseon's defenders
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07.04.2024
The shrine named Ssangchung Temple is located in Nokdong, Goheung County, South Jeolla Province. It was built to memorialize two naval admirals, Lee Dae-won and Jeong Un. Both of them were heads of the naval base called Nokdomanho. The memorial service for them is held on May 1 every year.
As Japanese battleships appeared on Sonjuk Island in 1587, Lee, 22 at the time, destroyed 20 Japanese battleships and killed numerous soldiers. At the moment, his higher officer demanded that he should give himself credit for the war, but Lee rejected it. As a result, the chief had a dislike for his attitude.
A few days later, as more Japanese battleships again appeared there, the senior ordered him to make an unconditional attack without adequate preparation. In the situation, Lee told him, "The weather is too bad, and the troops are unprepared for dispatch." However, the higher officer........
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