Overview
The statue of Admiral Admiral Yi Sun-sin, located at Gwanghwamun Square, was jointly established on April 27, 1968, by the Patriotic Martyrs Ancestors Construction Committee, a government-affiliated organization, and the Seoul Newspaper. It was built as a bronze statue standing 17 meters tall (6.5 m bronze statue, 10.5 m base), and surrounding sculptures include one turtle ship model and two drums. According to confirmed designations for the statue of patriotic martyrs located at the Gwanghwamun intersection, the heart of the nation, the wide opening of Sejong-ro and Taepyeong-ro would allow the energy of southern Japan to enter too strongly. Based on the arguments of geomancers at the time that it was necessary to control this, Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who was chosen at Sejong-ro intersection, was chosen as a figure of the person Japan feared most and a guardian of the nation, symbolizing the ancestors who defeated the Japanese and saved the country. The sculptural feature of this statue lies in its monumental symbolism. It emphasizes the historical significance of the figure rather than the complete realism of its form. To honor Admiral Yi Sun-sin's achievements in protecting the sea, a fountain was installed near his statue.