Won Gyun

Wŏn Kyun (; 12 February 1540 – 27 August 1597) was a military commander during the Imjin War. At the time of the Japanese invasion, he was the Naval Commander of Gyeongsang Right Province and led the navy, defeating the Japanese fleet together with Yi Sun-sin (李舜臣), the Naval Commander of Jeolla Left Province, and Yi Eok-gi (李億祺), the Naval Commander of Jeolla Right Province. He later served as Commander of Chungcheong Province, Naval Commander of Jeolla Left Province, and during the second invasion (the Jeongyu War), replaced Yi Sun-sin as Commander-in-Chief of the Three Provinces Navy (삼도수군통제사, Samdo Sugun Tongjesa). However, he suffered a disastrous defeat and was killed in the Battle of Chilcheollyang.

Early life Won Gyun (元均) was born on January 5, 1540 (the 35th year of King Jungjong's reign) in Pyeongtaek, the eldest son of Won Jun-ryang (원준량). His family origin (bon-gwan) was in Wonju, and his courtesy name was Pyeongjung (평중, 平仲). His brothers included Won Yeon (원연), who raised a righteous army during the Imjin War as a licentiate (jin-sa), and also Won Yong (원용), Won Jeon (원전), and Won Ji (원지). His son was Won Sa-ung (원사웅). His father, Won Jun-ryang, was a military official who rose through posts such as Seonjeongwan (Royal Guards officer), Naval Commander of Jeolla Right Province, Naval Commander of Gyeongsang Left Province, Commander of Gyeongsang Left Province, and Naval Commander of Jeolla Left Province. During his service he was impeached several times by the Office of Censors.

During this period, he distinguished himself in campaigns against the Jurchens and was promoted to magistrate of Buryeong. He later became magistrate of Jongseong and, at age 49 in 1588, participated in the punitive expedition against the Sijeon tribal villages under Northern Commander Yi Il (李鎰). Portrayed by Son Hyun-joo in the 2022 film Hansan: Rising Dragon.

Comics In Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender, as one of Yi's adversaries.

Video games In the Admiral Yi campaign of the video game Empires: Dawn of the Modern World, Wŏn Kyun is portrayed as a traitor to Korea, allying first with Manchu raiders harassing Korea's north and later with the Japanese invaders. In this portrayal, Wŏn Kyun appears to be responsible for masterminding both attacks on Korea, with the eventual aim of becoming King of a reduced Korea, allied to Japan and a tributary to Ming China. His treachery is discovered by Yu Sŏngnyong, and he is arrested.