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Bae Seol

Bae Seol (1551-1599) was a Joseon Korean general and admiral during the Imjin War.

Biography[]

Bae Seol was born in Gumi, North Gyeongsang, Joseon Korea in 1551. During the Imjin War, he was given command of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's former fleet after Yi fell from grace with the jealous imperial family, but he deserted the navy following its disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chilcheonnyang in 1597, as he was fearful of seasickness and ocean battles. Bae Seol claimed that he was no coward, as his desertion had spared his 12 turtle ships from destruction at the hands of the Japanese, and he begrudgingly contributed them to Yi's command before the Battle of Myeongnyang. Bae, who had grown jealous of Yi, attempted to assassinate him during the Battle of Myeongnyang, setting fire to Yi's command ship and ramming his ship with his own flagship. However, Bae was then killed by one of Yi's men, and Yi managed to defeat the Japanese fleet in an unlikely victory.

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