The Turtle Ship of Admiral Yi Sun-sin Revived as Honorary Patent After 400 Years
The Turtle Ship, a symbol of Joseon technology in the Republic of Korea and a key force in overcoming the Imjin War, has been registered as an honorary patent on the occasion of Admiral Yi's birthday.
The Turtle Ship, constructed by General Yi Sun-sin, is evaluated to have passed a patent review even by modern standards, despite the absence of a patent concept at the time.
The Korean Intellectual Property Office conducted patent reviews for 15 remarkable inventions of ancestors, including the Turtle Ship, and ultimately decided to register 14 of them as honorary patents.
This decision marks the first time this has been done as the 60th anniversary of Invention Day (May 19) approaches, and the results were announced to coincide with Admiral Yi's birthday (April 28).
The Patent Office comprehensively examined modern patent requirements such as novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability for inventions like the water clock and the angbu ilgu (sundial).
An official explained, "The Turtle Ship is similar to the galleys that dominated the Mediterranean, but its enclosed structure and iron nails prevented enemy access and enhanced its defensive capabilities."
The water clock was recognized for its effectiveness in enhancing the accuracy of rainfall measurement by preventing the evaporation of rainwater and capturing rainwater that falls at an angle. Invention Day in the Republic of Korea derives from the date the world's first water clock was invented (May 19, 1441).
Metal type was evaluated for its inventiveness because, unlike woodblock printing, individual metal types can be combined, stored, and rearranged easily, maintaining print quality even after repeated use due to its durability.
Conversely, although the excellence of the Daedongyeojido (Great Map of the East) was acknowledged, it was ultimately rejected for registration due to a lack of novelty, as maps were being actively produced worldwide at that time.
The inventive products of our ancestors, now registered as honorary patents, are scheduled to be officially registered on May 19. The Aja-bang ondol (traditional Korean heated floor system) developed during the Silla period has been designated as No. 1, the water clock as No. 6, and the Turtle Ship as No. 9.
Kim Jung-kyun, Director of the Industrial Property Policy Office, stated, "We were able to confirm the continuous exploration and challenge spirit of our ancestors through the honorary patent examination," and added, "I hope this serves as an opportunity to reflect on the value of invention and leads to future technological innovations."
Image source: Turtle Ship registered as honorary patent ahead of Invention Day (May 19) / Provided by the Patent Office, Metal Type of the Early Joseon Period / News1
