Korean Turtle Ship (Geobukseon)

Timeline

1. 1571–1580Jeolla Left Province naval camp, Korea · South KoreaWokou activity intensified in the 1570s; Joseon reorganized its navy and shipbuilding system, employing ship types such as panokseon and zaochuan, laying the foundation for coastal defense on the eve of the Imjin War.
2. 1591–1592Tongyeong · Korean PeninsulaYi Sun-sin improved the turtle ship design, combining iron-armored planking, a dragon-head fire projector, and dense oars to create an armored warship suited for coastal raids, which was deployed in battle at engagements such as the Battle of Noryang.
3. 1592–1598Noryang waters · Korean PeninsulaTurtle ships served as the core assault force in naval battles at Hansando, Myeongnyang, and Noryang, using close-range engagement and fire-attack tactics to significantly hinder Japanese maritime supply lines.