The Imjin War, also known as the Japanese invasions of Korea, occurred between 1592 and 1598, consisting of two major invasions. The conflict was initiated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi of Japan, aiming to conquer Korea (then under the Joseon dynasty) and China (under the Ming dynasty). Japan initially captured large areas of Korea, but faced setbacks due to Ming reinforcements and effective naval disruptions by the Joseon navy. This led to a stalemate, with guerrilla warfare by Korean civilian militias and supply issues affecting both sides.

The first invasion ended in 1596, followed by unsuccessful peace talks. Japan launched a second invasion in 1597, following a similar pattern: initial successes but eventual stalemate in southern Korea. The death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598, combined with logistical challenges and naval pressure from the Joseon, prompted the Japanese withdrawal and subsequent peace negotiations. These invasions were significant in scale, involving over 300,000 Japanese troops, and were the largest seaborne invasions until the Normandy landings during World War II.