Admiral Yi didn’t originally make any special title for this diary. An editor who compiled “The Complete Works of Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin” made the title “The War Diary” for convenience in 1798, the 19th year of the King Jeongjo’s reign, and after the death of Admiral Yi.
“The Complete Works of Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin” was compiled by orders of king Jeongjo. Yun Haeng-Im, a civil servant in The Gyujanggak Royal Library, and Yu Deuk-Gong, the Geomseogwang, a reviser, and Yemungwan, an art and literature official, collected and recorded data about all traces of Admiral Yi from 1793 to 1795. The complete works is comprised of 14 volumes that include: several poems, miscellaneous articles, a report to the royal court, “The War Diary” and an appendix.
The original copy and the compiled works show slight differences. The editors of The Complete Works omitted some parts when copying the writings of Chungmugong. Some parts in the original copy are not included in The Complete Works. As a result “The War Diary” in the Complete Works has more content than the original copy does. The writings that were missing from the original copy included, Jan. 1 to April 30, 1592, all of 1595 and from Oct. 8 to Oct. 12, 1598. We can identify that the original copy existed when The Complete Works of Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin were published but were lost afterwards.
“The War Diary” has the value of objective history data because it describes situations before and during the war in addition to the personal experience of Admiral Yi. For example, the1592 records illustrate that Yi Sun-Shin, who was assigned as the commander of the naval force in the left region of Jeolla-Do, strived to build up the consolidate defenses until the Japanese invaded in 1592. The records also show his enthusiasm about his duties. He even worked on the national sacrificial days and enforced strict censure and punishments to followers who were negligent in controlling the camps and barracks. Described in detail where: the construction process of the ironclad turtle-shape battleship, The Geobukseon, the initial situations after the Japanese invasion, and the four battles until the 4th battle in Busanpo. Other data that was recorder includes: the situations of the naval battles and war records until the 8th battle since Busanpo, his personal affairs relating to his family and relatives and personnel management for officials and communications relating to politics.

The Value of “The War Diary”
“The War Diary” contains unique features and meanings whether it’s the original copy or included in the complete book. If an individual doesn’t have deep-rooted perseverance and coherent self-control power it is impossible for an individual to keep a diary for seven years especially during a war. Admiral Yi recorded his personal affairs as well as the overall situation during the war as the historic data. It indicated the most concrete information about the situations for seven years. “The War Diary” contains accurate records about military affairs. These include, strategic and tactical meetings, geographical scouting and military secret drills. “The War Diary” was recorded during wartime when the life or death of the country, among the national crises of Joseon Dynasty, was at risk. The descriptions are simple and true and also give good examples of the loyalty, the fidelity and the conviction. “The War Diary” is a great paragon to the descendants.
“The War Diary” exposes the personality, the human anguish and the inmost cordiality of the country of Admiral Yi in many places. Admiral Yi strictly drew the line between public and private affairs. He thoroughly dealt with public affairs and made definite and rigid decisions about the rewards and punishments for the soldiers. He also illustrated a deep affection on the soldiers. Admiral Yi’s magnificent style, as military personnel, is described with his honest feelings about the national administration. “The War Diary” has distinguished value as artistic work.
“The War Diary” is by no means inferior as a subject of study on the biography of a hero. By facing severe storms and life adversities such as: promotion, imprisonment, distortion and fighting as a mere solider, it is the record by which the person finally achieves victory in the war. Moreover, the articles in several fields such as: politics, economy, society and military during his time as well as detailed description about the naval battles he took part in are important data in studying the history of the Korean naval forces and the Japanese invasion of 1592.
Since “The War Diary” is a record of a victorious admiral in the war and he wrote about it in his own handwriting, this only valuable in itself but it is also the most important data when studying Korean history or the Japanese invasion in 1592

The Value of “The War Diary”
“The War Diary” contains unique features and meanings whether it’s the original copy or included in the complete book. If an individual doesn’t have deep-rooted perseverance and coherent self-control power it is impossible for an individual to keep a diary for seven years especially during a war. Admiral Yi recorded his personal affairs as well as the overall situation during the war as the historic data. It indicated the most concrete information about the situations for seven years. “The War Diary” contains accurate records about military affairs. These include, strategic and tactical meetings, geographical scouting and military secret drills. “The War Diary” was recorded during wartime when the life or death of the country, among the national crises of Joseon Dynasty, was at risk. The descriptions are simple and true and also give good examples of the loyalty, the fidelity and the conviction. “The War Diary” is a great paragon to the descendants.
“The War Diary” exposes the personality, the human anguish and the inmost cordiality of the country of Admiral Yi in many places. Admiral Yi strictly drew the line between public and private affairs. He thoroughly dealt with public affairs and made definite and rigid decisions about the rewards and punishments for the soldiers. He also illustrated a deep affection on the soldiers. Admiral Yi’s magnificent style, as military personnel, is described with his honest feelings about the national administration. “The War Diary” has distinguished value as artistic work.
“The War Diary” is by no means inferior as a subject of study on the biography of a hero. By facing severe storms and life adversities such as: promotion, imprisonment, distortion and fighting as a mere solider, it is the record by which the person finally achieves victory in the war. Moreover, the articles in several fields such as: politics, economy, society and military during his time as well as detailed description about the naval battles he took part in are important data in studying the history of the Korean naval forces and the Japanese invasion of 1592.
Since “The War Diary” is a record of a victorious admiral in the war and he wrote about it in his own handwriting, this only valuable in itself but it is also the most important data when studying Korean history or the Japanese invasion in 1592.
“The War Diary” is by no means inferior as a subject of study on the biography of a hero. By facing severe storms and life adversities such as: promotion, imprisonment, distortion and fighting as a mere solider, it is the record by which the person finally achieves victory in the war. Moreover, the articles in several fields such as: politics, economy, society and military during his time as well as detailed description about the naval battles he took part in are important data in studying the history of the Korean naval forces and the Japanese invasion of 1592.
Since “The War Diary” is a record of a victorious admiral in the war and he wrote about it in his own handwriting, this only valuable in itself but it is also the most important data when studying Korean history or the Japanese invasion in 1592.

The areas we passed through were severely devastated, so I couldn’t see such horrible situations. While the maintenance of the battle line was the first thing that we needed to do, I had to exempt the soldiers in order to relieve the fatigue and suffering of the soldiers and the people.

Accept the duties and convictions as the soldier in order to expel the enemy. Admiral Yi always kept the people who were suffering from the devastating war in his mind. The phrase illustrates his love for the people. He put priority on the soldiers and the people rather than achieving a meritorious service by killing Japanese invaders.

The moonlight fills the ship and all kinds of anguish rose in my mind. While thinking about this and that alone, I fell into a doze.

Since I can’t escape form the worries about the country, I sat under a window. Then all kinds of my in-most thoughts rose in my mind.

The moonlight is bright over the sea at night and there is no wave in the sea. The cool wind comes to me in the world where the water and the sky have the same color. I sat at the front of the ship alone, but all kinds of concerns rise in my mind.

After Hyeonryeong of Namhae reported that Gwangyang and Sunchon were completely burnt down in 1593, Admiral Yi was caught up with all kinds of worries about the country. As described in his diary, Admiral Yi couldn’t sleep in comfort for even one moment during wartime. He spent his nights worrying about the country.

Thinking about the situations of the country leaning on the loft, my country’s fate seems more dangerous than the dew in the early morning. There is no one who can make political decisions inside. What is worse, there are on one side people who can lead the country the right way, like the cornerstone. Then, I can’t figure out where the judicial authorities go in the future.

- The Admiral Yi always worried about the country even while he wasn’t engaged in the public duties.

I feel restless because of a troubled dream I had at dawn. I can’t explain what is like with words. I called Deogi and briefly told him my dream. I also told it to my son Yul. I feel very disturbed in my thoughts and I can’t control my mind. It is as if I am drunk. What does this want to notify me? I didn’t realize my running tears when I was thinking about the sick mother.

Admiral Yi was very loyal to his parents as much as he was loyalty to his country. He never spent one day without worrying about his old mother in the battlefields. Admiral Yi is a hero who saved the country and was a truly devoted son to his mother. The following phrase describes his deep anxiety for his sick mother when he went south, as the mere soldier, without an official title.

…The servant Suhwa said to me that my mother died. I ran out and stomped my feet with sorrow. The sky turned black. I immediately ran toward Gebawugae where the ship had already arrived. When I watched the ship from the road I thought, how could I describe this sorrow while crying and while my heart was breaking.

When Chungmugong went south as the mere soldier, his mother died. The description above shows the desperate sorrow that couldn’t control because of his mothers.