The Legend: Lee Soon Shin

The PoD is that the politicians decide that Admiral Lee Soon Shin, perhaps the best admiral in the world at the time, isn't a threat to them politically so the politicians let Admiral Lee do whatever he wants (in OTL, the politicians are afraid of his popularity and jealous of his victories, that they force him to become the rank of a common soldier before re-promoting him). Additionally, since Lee Soon Shin rekt the Japanese navy early on, he never fights the Battle of Sachon Bay, the battle that broke Japan's back for a long time. As a result, Admiral Lee never dies and continues to live on.

Could the history of Korea be changed from this one man? What will be the effect of having the great Admiral Lee alive for around 20-30 more years? Can he participate in politics with the support of the people? Would he lead an invasion force of Japan? How could history differ from this one small change?
 
First, "politicians" make it sound like it's a republic or even a democracy, when it wasn't either. "Bureaucrats" would be the more apt term.
Second, if you could read Korean I urge you to read this.
Third, to answer the OP I think the more important aspect we may need to consider is 붕당정치(the largest purge in Joseon history happened only a few years ago) and 류성룡, who was the guy that appointed Lee to admiral in the first place.
 
First, "politicians" make it sound like it's a republic or even a democracy, when it wasn't either. "Bureaucrats" would be the more apt term.
Second, if you could read Korean I urge you to read this.
Third, to answer the OP I think the more important aspect we may need to consider is 붕당정치(the largest purge in Joseon history happened only a few years ago) and 류성룡, who was the guy that appointed Lee to admiral in the first place.

But if Lee Soon Shin, say somehow decided to reform Joseon by becoming a government official or maybe even to the top. How would Korea look today?
 
But if Lee Soon Shin, say somehow decided to reform Joseon by becoming a government official or maybe even to the top. How would Korea look today?

You do know that's impossible, right? Ever since the junta rule in Goryeo Joseon always had a neurotic fear of a military-led coup. Lee is only a soldier, if an impossibly good and loyal one. If he attempts to forcibly extend his power over the royal court everyone's worst fears will only be proven true.
 
You do know that's impossible, right? Ever since the junta rule in Goryeo Joseon always had a neurotic fear of a military-led coup. Lee is only a soldier, if an impossibly good and loyal one. If he attempts to forcibly extend his power over the royal court everyone's worst fears will only be proven true.

Yep. I know that.

But let's just say... For some reason the people revolt against the king and the government and elects Lee to become the leader of a new government. What next?

(Because the people DID see the King as a weak, powerless king that fled away from Japanese invaders. Rebellion is not impossible).
 
Yep. I know that.

But let's just say... For some reason the people revolt against the king and the government and elects Lee to become the leader of a new government. What next?

(Because the people DID see the King as a weak, powerless king that fled away from Japanese invaders. Rebellion is not impossible).
  • Lee's base was in Jeolla and it would be a big pain to try establish control over Korea when you're barely doing it in a small province.
  • Lee never wavered from his loyalty to the king.
  • No Korean would listen to a mere 무인.
  • There indeed were movements within the Ming court to either establish direct control or prop up a new king in Joseon, but that's not a Junta.
  • People were dying left and right, a third of all arable lands were destroyed during the war. Nobody's energetic enough for rebellion.
But sure, let's say some ASB got Korea to be controlled by Lee. Then all he's going to do is help prop up another king, because as talented as Lee was in military strategy he had no wish to be the leader of a country. You can force a horse to the river but you can't force him to drink.
 
  • Lee's base was in Jeolla and it would be a big pain to try establish control over Korea when you're barely doing it in a small province.
  • Lee never wavered from his loyalty to the king.
  • No Korean would listen to a mere 무인.
  • There indeed were movements within the Ming court to either establish direct control or prop up a new king in Joseon, but that's not a Junta.
  • People were dying left and right, a third of all arable lands were destroyed during the war. Nobody's energetic enough for rebellion.
But sure, let's say some ASB got Korea to be controlled by Lee. Then all he's going to do is help prop up another king, because as talented as Lee was in military strategy he had no wish to be the leader of a country. You can force a horse to the river but you can't force him to drink.

Ah. I guess so :/

This should be move to ASB then lol
 
I do insist you use this as a platform to learn about Lee. Searching on other Korean topics will also be useful.

Reading it and it's interesting...

Though, I would really like to see President Lee Soon Shin leading the county with the support of the people.

ASB ideas :D
 
Reading it and it's interesting...

Though, I would really like to see President Lee Soon Shin leading the county with the support of the people.

ASB ideas :D

Doh. :V

Anyway, if Lee Soon Shin were allowed control of the navy from the get-go, the Imjin War would end in a space of a few sea battle that'd see Hideyoshi's grand ambitions - and armies - fed to Poseidon (Joseon's navy was adept at ship-to-ship bombardment. Japanese 'navies' prefer boarding). Peace negotiations would end with more trade concessions through Tsushima, or even annexation of the island. Could lead to an early Sekigahara, since no one else but him entertained the idea seriously. As for Admiral Lee, he'd probably just stick to his job than get involved in politics.

Sadly, Lee had loads of enemies who just didn't like him replacing them in positions in power through actual hard work. It's likely the biggest enemy for him and Joseon wasn't Hideyoshi's armies, but their own rotting bureaucracy.
 
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