Choe Un-hae

Choe Un-hae (崔雲海, 1347 - 1404) was a military official active in the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. His family seat was Tongcheon (通川), his courtesy name was Hobo (浩甫), and his posthumous name was Yangjang (襄莊). He was a Meritorious Subject of Loyalty and Assistance in Enthronement under late Goryeo and a Meritorious Original Subject of the Founding of Joseon.¹

Life

In the 3rd year of King Chungmok of Goryeo (1347), he was born as the eldest son of Pyeongjangsa Choe Rok and his mother, a lady of the Pyeongchang Yi clan, in Bukmyeon, Naegok-ri, Changwon City, South Gyeongsang Province. His father, Choe Rok, served as Hogun and, together with Choe Yeong and others, distinguished himself in battle at Gu Yu in China. From an early age, his appearance and bearing were extraordinary, and his wisdom and courage were outstanding.

Goryeo Period

In the 15th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo (1366), at age 19, he was appointed Sanwon of the Chungyong Wi (Loyal and Brave Guard) through a hereditary appointment (ǔmbo), owing to the military merit of his father, General Choe Rok.

In the 16th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo (1367), at age 20, he married Lady Changwon Yi, who was granted the title Jeonggyeong Buin, and in 1376 his eldest son Yun-deok was born. After holding several offices, he rose to the post of Jeongong Chongrang (Director of Construction) in 1382.

In 1385 he defeated Japanese pirates (Wokou) as military commander of Chungju, and then, as Assistant Military Commissioner of Yeongju and Sunheung and concurrently Naval Commissioner of Gyeongsang Province, he subjugated the pirates. In particular, he repeatedly recovered cattle, horses, and other goods that the enemy had plundered and returned them to the residents, and he gathered destitute people in one place, cooked gruel in large cauldrons, and relieved their starvation, so that everyone praised his virtue. In 1386 he became Minister of Justice (Jeonbeop Pansu), and as Assistant Military Commissioner of Wonju, Chungju, Danyang, and Jecheon, he subjugated the pirates. In 1387 he served as Magistrate of Chungju.

In 1388, when Japanese pirates invaded Jeolla Province, he was appointed Magistrate of Jeonju. While in office, he took part in the northern campaign led by General as Deputy Commander of Jeolla Province and was assigned to the army of . After the , he rose to the post of Miljik Busa and received the title (Meritorious Subject of Loyalty and Assistance in Enthronement). He served as Commissioner of Military Affairs (Dosunmunsa), and in 1391, the 2nd year of , he became Commissioner-in-chief of Gwangju Dengcheo in Yanggwangdo and concurrently Magistrate of Gwangju, and subjugated Japanese pirates. In 1392 he became .