Yi Sung-sun

Who was Yi Sung-sun?

Yi Sung-sun, nicknamed Lynx, was a South Korean street knight. He was born in 1916, in the North Korean city of Sinuiju.

In July 1945, Yi's friend was half dead after an attack by 40 Japanese gang members. After the independence of Korea, Yi ran away to South Korea to join with his gangster friend Yi Hwa-ryong's gangs of Myeongdong. After the Korean War broke out, Yi worked in the Headquarters of the Intelligence Detachment. In 1953, the political hoodlum Yi Jung-jae lured Yi out and lynched him to make Yi disabled. Yi left the gangs, and escorted Chang Myon and Shin Ik-Hee from political hoodlums.

Jung-Jae and other foes were punished to death during the 5·16 Coup d'état. After that, Yi converted to Christianity. He died on 25 February 1983. Yi hated organized violence and had no criminal record. Thus, Yi is called "the last street knight".