Imjin war(1592-98) was unprecedented national crisis in a way that the whole country and people were ravaged by a horrible war. When thinking of a person who saved the nation from the great danger, the first one that comes to our mind is of course admiral Yi Sun-sin. Won Gyun also crosses our mind at the same time. However, while admiral Yi Sun-sin is fully praised as a hero devoted to the salvation of his country, valuation on Won Gyun is rather severe.
The criticism on Won Gyun can be summarized into three points: ① usurping Yi Sun-sin’s place by slandering him, ② being responsible for the battle of Chilcheollyang which destroyed the naval forces of Joseon, ③ being a coward commander and running away when the war came close.
Won Gyun, who is 5 years older and passed gwageo(the highest-level state examination to recruit ranking officials during the Joseon Dynasty) 9 years earlier than Yi Sun-sin, did constantly compete with admiral Yi to get credits. Still, after examining the process of Yi Sun-sin’s downfall there are no signs of Won Gyun scheming to remove Yi Sun-sin and taking possession of his place. Moreover, we cannot shift the blame to Won Gyun only for the defeat from the battle of Chilcheollyang. Won Gyun insisted on the joint attack between the naval forces and the army(‘水陸合攻’). However, he had to carry out the naval forces solo operation due to Jo Jeong and Commander-in-Chief Gwon Yul, who compelled a preemptive attack of the naval forces(‘水軍先攻’) and fought suffering from the natural disadvantage of being at odds. Regardless of his effort, he lost the battle. Furthermore, Won Gyun was brave in battles and he even contributed to the succession of victories of the Joseon naval forces in the primary stage of Imjin war(1592-98). Therefore, it is difficult to countenance the view that he was a coward commander escaping from the battle.
Won Gyun was impetuous and pushy but he carried out his duty to the fullest. He failed to create an effective leadership, since he brought isolation upon himself and was not able to strengthen the solidarity of the forces. Even so, he contributed much for the country as enough to be enrolled as a Seonmu Ildeung Gongsin(the first-class military order of merit during the reign of Seonjo) but did not get fair criticism. So far, he received one-sided evaluation as a incompetent defeated general owing to the loss of bitterness from the battle of Chilcheollyang, the one which he greatly opposed but had no choice but to enter. However, now is the time to conduct a revaluation of Won Gyun.