Eo Jae-yeon

Eo Jae-Yeon(魚在淵, 1823 ~ 1871) was a Korean admiral during the late Joseon Dynasty. He served as the inspector in the Hoeryung region in 1866 and he led the defense of Ganghwa Island during United States expedition to Korea in 1871.

When the American expedition arrived at west coast of the island in 1871, the royal council appointed Eo to serve as the Commandant. He exerted himself in this duty, and he and his brother, Eo Jae Soon were killed by a US Marine amid the military action. He was posthumously appointed to be the Minister of War.

United States expedition to Korea
On June 10, 1871, 5 American warships departed from Nagasaki, Japan to Ganghwa island, bringing about 1,230 Marines and 85 cannons.

The fundamental aim of expedition was not a full-scale war but gunboat diplomacy-practicing a demonstration by forces around the coast. 240 militants Joseon militants were killed, 100 were drowned, and 20 were captured; while 3 US Marines were killed and 6 were injured.

However, the American forces did not achieve its original purpose - to let Joseon open an indoor market - and instead departed to the Chinese mainland.