Career
At age 32, despite being 15 years younger than Supreme Naval Commander Yi Sun-sin, Yi Eok-gi became his most trusted commander and companion during the Seven Year War. He received a promotion and special recognition for having a major role in the destruction of a Japanese flotilla during the Battle of Hansan-do. The order to attack the Japanese near Busan originated from King Seonjo himself.
The attack on an entrenched Japanese force was viewed by the Korean navy and even some within the government as a suicide mission—in fact, Yi Sun Sin was removed largely for defying this attack order.
The commanders fled to the Chilcheollyang Strait where they were later crushed by the advancing Japanese navy.