Teachers, students, and scholars from South Korea’s Yi Sun-shin High School hold exchange talks with local representatives in Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

A group of 23 teachers and students from Yi Sun-shin High School in Asan, South Korea, arrived in Songmen town, Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 17. They kicked off a four-day school exchange as part of the 2026 China International Friendship and Exchange Year.

The exchange focuses on the historical ties between Ji Jin, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) military commander from Songmen, and Korean naval hero Yi Sun-shin, who fought side by side against Japanese invaders during the Imjin War. The two schools will sign a friendship and cooperation agreement.

Ji commanded Zhejiang and Zhili naval troops dispatched to Korea during the war and later received honors from the Korean royal court. A stele commemorating his achievements, which remains in South Korea, bears witness to the historical friendship. Korean scholar Park Hyun-kyu has conducted long-term research into historical materials related to Ji and helped promote knowledge of this shared history.

During the exchange, students from both countries will visit historical sites, experience traditional intangible cultural heritage activities such as the Nine-Lion Dance and the Songmen white croaker processing technique, and take part in sports and cultural activities. The program aims to strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries and build on the tradition of mutual support and friendship between their predecessors.