The statue was unveiled on April 27, 1968, as part of a modernization movement in Seoul.
The water channel at the base, the 12.23 Fountain, honors the Admiral's victory at the Battle of Myeongnyang, where he held off a massive fleet with only 12 ships.
The statue features a 'Turtle Ship' (Geobukseon) on display nearby, a historic ironclad warship prototype credited to the Admiral.
The monument was cleaned and restored in 2010 to repair corrosion and surface oxidation.
The Admiral's sword is roughly 4 meters long, constructed proportionally to the 6.5-meter statue figure.
The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is a 17-meter-tall bronze monument located in the center of Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. It commemorates the 16th-century naval commander who never lost a battle during the Imjin War against Japanese forces. The Admiral stands holding a sword, facing toward the Gwanghwamun Gate and the former site of the Joseon Dynasty royal palace. Beneath the pedestal lies an exhibition hall dedicated to his life and the history of the Joseon Navy. The surrounding water features include a 365-meter-long fountain path known as the '12.23 Fountain,' representing his 23 remaining ships and 12 victories. The bronze figure alone stands 6.5 meters high, mounted on a stone base featuring detailed relief carvings of the famous Turtle Ship. It serves as a central landmark in the Jongno District.
From the south end of Gwanghwamun Square looking north, framing the Admiral with the Gwanghwamun Gate and Bukhansan Mountain in the background.
Visit the underground 'Admiral Yi Sun-sin Story' museum located directly beneath the statue for context on his naval strategies.
Walk the entire length of the Gwanghwamun Square water fountain path to see the inscriptions detailing the Admiral's specific historical battles.
Visit during the evening to see the statue illuminated against the backdrop of the Gwanghwamun Gate.
Avoid visiting during extreme heat waves in mid-summer as the square has limited natural shade.
The underground exhibition space is typically closed on Mondays.
