War Memorial Foundation Honors Gen. Na Dae-yong on April 2
The overlooked architect of the turtle ship; a veteran of the Imjin and Jeongyu naval campaigns
The overlooked architect of the turtle ship; a veteran of the Imjin and Jeongyu naval campaigns
Gen. Na was a central figure in the Joseon navy. He played a key role in building and improving the turtle ship and fought in major naval battles during the Imjin War and the Jeongyu campaign. In 1591, serving under Left Naval Commander Yi Sun-sin, Na acted as an officer responsible for armored warship operations and logistics, contributing substantially to the construction and performance upgrades of the turtle ship. After the Imjin War began, he saw action at Okpo, Sacheon and Hansan Island; at Okpo, he led a force that sank two enemy vessels. During the Jeongyu campaign, he joined the Three Provinces Naval Command and fought in the engagements at Myeongnyang and Noryang. In recognition of his service, the Republic of Korea Navy named the eighth Jang Bogo–class submarine commissioned in 2000 ROKS Na Dae-yong (SS-069).
Attendees included Na Seung-ok, a 12th-generation descendant of Gen. Na; former National Assembly member Na O-yeon (who served in the 14th–16th assemblies); Na Seung-po, former director of the Blue House Office for Government Policy Coordination; Rep. Park Gyun-taek (Gwangju Gwangsan A); Lee Seung-woo, head of the Seoul Regional Veterans Office; Commander Baek Min-su of the ROK Navy (captain of ROKS Na Dae-yong); and Lee Young-gyu, chairman of the Na Dae-yong Memorial Association, among others.
Na Seung-ok and former lawmaker Na O-yeon pledged, “We will step up efforts to make Gen. Na Dae-yong’s contributions to the development of the turtle ship widely known.” Commander Baek Min-su, speaking for the Navy, said, “Naming the submarine after Gen. Na Dae-yong reflects the nation’s resolve to carry on his legacy. As the submarine’s commanding officer, I will do my utmost to guard our seas with ironclad resolve.”
