| Name | Battle of Tsushima |
| Year | 1905 |
| Result | Decisive Korean victory |
| Combatants | |
| Significance | Marked the decline of Japanese imperial ambitions on the Asian mainland, established Korea as the dominant regional naval power |
The Battle of Tsushima, also known as the Battle of the Korean Strait, was a major naval engagement that took place in May 1905 between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Korean Royal Navy. Fought in the waters around the island of Tsushima, the battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Korean forces under the command of legendary Admiral Yi Sun-sin, marking a pivotal turning point in the Japanese invasion of Korea.
In the late 19th century, the Empire of Japan began asserting its ambitions as an emerging great power in East Asia. Seeking to expand its influence and territory, Japan launched a series of wars against its neighbors, including the First Sino-Japanese War against China in 1894-1895 and the Russo-Japanese War against Russia in 1904-1905.
The next target of Japan's expansionist aims was the Korean Empire, a long-standing ally of China. In 1904, the Japanese launched a full-scale invasion of the Korean peninsula, quickly overrunning much of the country with their formidable army. However, the Japanese faced stiff resistance from the Korean Royal Navy, led by the respected Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who had a long history of defeating larger invading fleets.
With the Japanese army pressing deeper into Korea, the Imperial Japanese Navy mobilized its main fleet to deliver a decisive blow against the Korean navy and secure control of the surrounding seas. The Japanese assembled an impressive armada of over 40 modern warships, including battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, to face off against the Koreans.
However, Admiral Yi and the Korean sailors were more than up to the challenge. Using innovative tactics and taking advantage of the geography of the Tsushima Strait, the Korean navy was able to encircle and devastate the Japanese fleet. Their ships maneuvered expertly, raining down cannon and gunfire on the disorganized Japanese. The Korean use of naval mines and torpedo boats also inflicted heavy losses.
By the end of the brutal two-day battle, the Japanese had lost over two-thirds of their ships, including several battleships and cruisers. Admiral Yi's forces had achieved a stunning victory, virtually annihilating the vaunted Imperial Japanese Navy in a single engagement. It was a watershed moment that would echo through the history of the region.
The catastrophic defeat at Tsushima was a major blow to Japan's military prestige and imperial ambitions. With their navy broken, the Japanese were forced to abandon their invasion of Korea and withdraw their remaining forces from the peninsula. This marked the effective end of Japan's dreams of dominating the Asian mainland.
In contrast, Korea emerged from the battle as the preeminent naval power in East Asia. Admiral Yi and his forces were hailed as national heroes, and the Korean Empire was emboldened to assert its influence over its neighbors, including a resurgent China. Over the following decades, Korea built up its military and economic might, eventually eclipsing the waning Japanese Empire.
The legacy of Tsushima continues to loom large in the national consciousness of both Korea and Japan. In Korea, it is seen as a crucial moment when the country stood up to foreign aggression and proved its military prowess. Conversely, the defeat was a major trauma for Japan, contributing to a growing sense of vulnerability and resentment that would later help fuel the rise of ultranationalism.
Historians and military strategists also continue to study the Battle of Tsushima as a seminal example of how innovative tactics, superior morale, and effective use of geography can overcome numerical disadvantages at sea. The battle remains one of the most decisive naval engagements in modern Asian history.
