Han Chi-hyeong (韓致亨, 1434 – 30 October 1502) was a scholar-official and poet of early [[Joseon]]. He was the nephew of [[Han Hwak]] and a paternal cousin of [[Queen Soehye]] (Queen Dowager Insu), and he was also a maternal cousin-uncle (oedangsuk) of [[Grand Prince Wolsan]], [[Princess Myeongsuk]],
Born~Died 1434 ~ 1502Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM
Han Chi-hyeong (韓致亨, 1434 – 30 October 1502) was a scholar-official and poet of early Joseon. He was the nephew of Han Hwak and a paternal cousin of Queen Soehye (Queen Dowager Insu), and he was also a maternal cousin-uncle (oedangsuk) of Grand Prince Wolsan, Princess Myeongsuk, and Seongjong. He was also a son-in-law of Grand Prince Yangnyeong. His courtesy names were Hyeongji (亨之) and Tongji (通之), his posthumous name was Jilgyeong (質景), and his family seat was Cheongju. While serving as Chief State Councilor, he regarded the governance of Yeonsan-gun as tyrannical and remonstrated with the king, which earned the king's enmity. He was posthumously subjected to decapitation of the corpse (bugwan chamsi), his immediate family was executed, and his illegitimate sons were also put to death.
In 1451 (1st year of King Munjong), at the age of 18, he entered office through hereditary privilege (eumbo) and was appointed to a military post. He subsequently served as Inspector, Right Remonstrator, Left Remonstrator, and Deputy Director of the Royal Stables (Sasabusoyun). In December 1455, while serving as Deputy Director, he was selected as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject of the Original Followers (Jwaik Wonjong Gongsin, 佐翼原從三等).
In 1467 (13th year of King Sejo), he became Pangyeolsa of the Jangnyewon. He then served as Right Vice Secretary and Left Vice Secretary, and afterward as Right Secretary and Left Secretary. After that he served as Vice Minister of Personnel and Vice Minister of Revenue, then as Jungji Chungjubusa (Associate Minister of the Central Administrative Office), and then became Grand Minister of Censors. He twice served as Magistrate of Gaeseong and was then enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong. Afterward he served as GyeonggiGovernor and HansŏngPan-yun. He then served as Minister of Works, Minister of Revenue, Minister of Justice, and Minister of War. Next he served as Pan-uigeumbusa, Jwachamchan, and Jwachanseong, and then became Right State Councilor, and was promoted to Lord of Cheongseong Prefecture (Cheongseong Buwongun).
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In 1496 he passed through the post of Left State Councilor and in 1500 rose to Chief State Councilor. At this time he came into conflict with Yeonsan-gun and incurred his hatred. Two years after his death, during the Gabja Purge, his posthumous titles were revoked and he was subjected to decapitation of the corpse (bugwan chamsi). He had previously had laws he proposed prevented from being implemented,1 and his concubine's son Han Su (韓遂) was executed by beheading.2 His entire family was also wiped out. After the Jungjong Restoration, he was posthumously rehabilitated.
Because his paternal aunt became a concubine of the Yongle Emperor of Ming China, as Consort Yeo (麗妃), and another paternal aunt became a concubine of the Xuande Emperor as Lady Gongsin (恭愼夫人), he was dispatched to Ming China during the reign of Seongjong several times as Envoy for Petitions (jucheongsa), Envoy for the Emperor's Birthday (seongjeolsa), and Envoy for Gratitude (saeunsa), and he was received with favor by the Ming emperor. In the Mu-o Purge, he instead took part in the execution of Kim Il-son and other Sarim scholars.
Biography
Early life
He was the fourth-generation descendant of Han Bang-sin (韓方信). His great-grandfather was Han Yeong (韓寧), his grandfather was Han Yeong-jeong (韓永矴), and his father was Han Jeol (韓𥑇), who served as Gongjo Jeonggwan (Junior Official of the Ministry of Works) and posthumously received the honorific title Senior State Councilor of the Uijeongbu with the titles Sunchung Jeokdeok Byeongui Bozo Gongsin, and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong Prefecture. His mother was of the Hanyang Jo clan, daughter of Jo Seo (趙敍), Commander of the Central Army (Jungun Chongje); she was also of the Gaeseong Wang clan, granddaughter through her mother of Wang Jin (王進), Lord of Yeongwon.
His great-grandfather Han Yeong served as Recorder of the Sinhowi (Sinhoweii Nokssa) in the Goryeo period, but was implicated in the Hongnyun Rebellion and executed. After the founding of Joseon, he was posthumously appointed Minister of War with the rank of Jahon Daebu. His grandfather Han Yeong-jeong attained the rank of Magistrate of Sunchang (Sunchanggunsa) with the title Jungheon Daebu after the founding of Joseon, but his father Han Jeol's office was limited to Gongjo Jeonggwan, and the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His great-great-uncle Han Gong-ui (韓公義) was the great-grandfather of Han Myeong-hoe, the close associate and strategist of Sejo; thus Han Chi-hyeong was ten generations removed from Han Myeong-hoe. Han Hwak, father of Queen Soehye and of Lady Gyeyang, was his paternal uncle; he was therefore a fourth-degree cousin of Queen Soehye and a cousin of Han Chi-in.
His paternal aunt Lady Han of Yeo was offered to Ming China as a tribute woman, but was noticed by the Yongle Emperor and became his concubine. Another paternal aunt, Lady Gongsin, became a concubine of the Xuande Emperor.
His elder brother Han Chi-won served as an official of the Uigyeonggo, Magistrate of the Sajikseo, and Jeom of the Gunjagam in the early reign of Seongjong. His younger brother Han Chi-mi served as Bongsa, but no record of his birth or death survives. Another younger brother, Han Chi-ryang, escaped the calamity that befell the family and survived until 1525.
In 1451 (1st year of King Munjong), at the age of 18, he entered office through hereditary privilege (eumbo) and was appointed to a military post and became Gisagwan of the Hoeuicheong (Hoewicheong Gisagwan). In 1453 (1st year of King Danjong), through hereditary privilege, he became Jikjang of the Sahoseo (Sa-oseo Jikjang). He subsequently served as Inspector, and then as Right Remonstrator, Left Remonstrator, and Deputy Director of the Royal Stables (Sasabusoyun). In December 1455, while serving as Deputy Director, he was selected as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject of the Original Followers of the Left Assistance (Jwaik Wonjong Gongsin).
Official career
Afterward, during the reign of King Sejo, he served as Deputy Assistant and others, and in September 1463 was appointed Right Remonstrator of the Office of the Inspector General (Saheonbu). During his tenure as Right Remonstrator in 1463, Left Remonstrator Kim Yi-yong (金利用) censured Kim Cheo-ui (金處義) for saying that he had not read the Mujaerok (武才錄) and that it was a trivial matter, and Kim Cheo-ui was subjected to interrogation. As a result, in November of that year, all officials of the Office of the Inspector General submitted their resignations, and he resigned along with them.
He then became Right Deputy Secretary (uBuseungji). In April 1467, when King Sejo sought recommendations for suitable secretaries at Jipsangjeon, his name was among those considered. On 27 April he became Left Deputy Secretary and by royal order managed personnel affairs of the Board of Personnel (Ijo). On 20 May he became Right Secretary. After serving as Pyeongan-do Seonwisa and Left Secretary, in October of that year he went as Pyeongan-do Byeolseonwisa (Special Pacification Commissioner of Pyeongan Province). Then in 1467 (13th year of King Sejo) he became Pangyeolsa of the Jangnyewon. He subsequently served as a Wi-jang (Guard General) and then became Commander of the Sungseong Garrison (Susong Daejang), and was then transferred to Jungchubu Dongjisa. On 12 December 1467 he became Vice Minister of the Board of Personnel, and on 27 December became Vice Minister of the Board of Revenue.
In 1468, immediately after the accession of King Yejong, he was appointed Governor of Hamgil-namdo, but after six months was transferred to Haeng Hogun (Acting Guard General). In 1469 he was again appointed Vice Minister of Revenue. Immediately after the accession of King Seongjong, he was dispatched to Ming China as Envoy for Requesting Investiture (Chaekbong Jucheongsa) and visited Yanjing.
After Seongjong ascended the throne, he was appointed Haeng Hogun and Director of the Mausoleum Office of King Yejong (Sanleung Dogam Jeti), and became Dongji Jungchubusa. He then again served as Dongji Jungchubusa and became Grand Minister of Censors. In 1471 (2nd year of King Seongjong) he was selected as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject for Pure Sincerity and Brightness and Assistance in Governance (Sunseong Myeongryang Jwari Gongsin), and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong (Cheongseong-gun). He was promoted to Minister of Justice. Afterward he was appointed Vice Envoy of the Seongjeolsa (Envoy for the Emperor's Birthday) dispatched to Ming China and visited Ming China.
In 1473 he became Magistrate of Gaeseong, and the next year was again appointed Magistrate of Gaeseong. He was appointed Lord of Cheongseong with the rank of Jahon Daebu (Jahon Daebu Cheongseong-gun) concurrently Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and went out as Gyeonggi Governor, then became HansŏngPan-yun, and then after passing through the posts of Minister of Revenue and Minister of War, served concurrently as Chief Director of the Seongseon Office (Gyeomseongseon-gam Dojejo) and Pyeongan-do Chechalsa (Pacification Commissioner of Pyeongan Province).
In 1480, while serving as Minister of Works, he went as Envoy for Gratitude (saeunsa), and in 1481, while serving as Minister of Revenue, he again went as Envoy for the Emperor's Birthday (seongjeolsa). In 1484 he again went to Ming China as Chief Envoy of the Seongjeolsa, and in 1481 he rose to Jwachamchan. He then served as Envoy for Relief in Gyeongsang-do (Gyeongsangdo Jinsulsa), Minister of Justice, and Director for the Construction of the Wall (Chukjang Dogam Jaejo).
Later life
Immediately after the accession of Yeonsan-gun, he served as Uijeongbu Uchanseong (Right Assistant State Councilor, 議政府右贊成) and concurrently Co-Director of the State Funeral of Seongjong (Gukjang Dojang Dojejo). He then became Jwachanseong, and as Jwachanseong served concurrently as Grand Minister of Censors and as a judge of the Ministry of Punishments (Uigeum-bu). In 1495 (1st year of Yeonsan-gun) he became Jwachanseong and concurrently Grand Minister of Censors, and the next year he rose to Right State Councilor of the Uijeongbu with the rank of Daegwang Boguk Sungrok Daebu, and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong Prefecture (Cheongseong Buwongun).
In 1498 (4th year of Yeonsan-gun) he became Left State Councilor, and in July of that year, when the literary-history incident of the royal annals developed into the Mu-o Purge, he had No Sa-sin and others execute Kim Il-son (金馹孫) and others. During the Mu-o Purge, as Left State Councilor, when the Kim Il-son writings incident broke out, he recommended arresting the disciples of Kim Jong-jik and interrogating them. Afterward, together with Yu Ja-gwang (柳子光), No Sa-sin and others, he agreed to the execution of Kim Il-son and others, and was deeply involved in the purge. Meanwhile, citing the fact that Kwon O-bok had an aged mother, he requested that his brother's sentence be reduced.
In 1500 he was appointed Chief State Councilor of the Uijeongbu, and concurrently served as Tutor and Father of the Crown Prince (Sejasabu), Director of the Chungsun Office (Chungunbu Dangsang), and Chief Director of the Military Affairs Office (Bi-yungsa Jejo).3 Although he was promoted to Chief State Councilor, he came into conflict with Yeonsan-gun. He repeatedly urged frugality and economy, and for this he incurred the king's enmity; he also remonstrated against the tyranny of Yeonsan-gun and was disliked by the king in return. On 3 October 1502 (8th year of Yeonsan-gun), he died while serving as Chief State Councilor. Immediately afterward, the posthumous name Jilgyeong (質景) was conferred. Because he was loyal, upright, and without deceit, it was said "Jeong-jeong-mu-sa is called Jil" (忠正無邪曰質); and because he accomplished affairs by means of righteousness, it was said "Yu-ui-je-wa is called Gyeong" (由義而濟曰景), and thus the posthumous name Jilgyeong was determined. He was 68 years old.
After death
After his death, in May 1504 during the Gabja Purge, he was posthumously condemned and subjected to decapitation of the corpse (bugwan chamsi), and his family was wiped out. It was earlier held that he had taken part in the scheme to depose Queen Yun (尹妃), the mother of Yeonsan-gun, and for this reason he was subjected to decapitation of the corpse together with Yun Pil-sang (尹弼商), Han Myeong-hoe, Jeong Chang-son and others. On 4 May of that year his head was cut off and hung in the marketplace. Also, the ten-article memorial (10조의 서) he had submitted was all burned. In December of that year, the laws he had proposed were all abolished, his remains were ordered to be reduced to bone fragments and scattered by the wind, and his house was confiscated and given to the maternal brother of Jang Nok-su.
On 18 December of that year his illegitimate son Han Su (韓遂) was also executed by beheading, and his other relatives were wiped out. His son-in-law Im Yu-chim (林有琛) was also exiled. After the Jungjong Restoration, he was rehabilitated. In the end, after his death, his elder brother Han Chi-won's son Han Jeok was adopted as a posthumous heir and continued the family line.
His grave is located at Seosan (西山 梨洞, present-day Isagol, Samsang-ri, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju) in the southwest direction near the grave of his father Han Jeol. The epitaph and grave tablet inscriptions were written by Hong Gwi-dal (洪貴達), Heobaekjeong, who served as Chamchan (Vice Minister). The stele inscription was written by his descendant Han Jeong-gyo (正敎), and the calligraphy was written by his descendant Han Sang-gap (相甲).
Family
Great-grandfather: Han Nyeong (韓寧)
Grandfather: Han Yeong-jeong (韓永矴)
Grandmother: of the Uiseong Kim clan, daughter of Kim Yeong-ryeol, Lord of Uiseong
Paternal aunt: Lady Han of Yeo, concubine of the Yongle Emperor of Ming China
Principal wife: Hyeonju Jeonju Yi clan (? – 17 July 1494), daughter of Yi Je (Grand Prince Yangnyeong)
Eldest daughter: Cheongju Han clan
Son-in-law: Im Yu-chim (林有琛) of the Boan Im clan
Maternal grandson: Im Se-chang (林世昌)
Maternal grandson: Im Se-bang (林世芳)
Maternal grandson: Im Se-bun (林世賁)
Maternal grandson: Im Se-□ (林世□)
Maternal granddaughter: wife of Song Hong (宋弘) of the Jinchun Song clan
Maternal granddaughter: wife of Kim Bu (金坤) of the Suncheon Kim clan
Second wife: of the Danyang Woo clan, daughter of Woo Yeon-ji (禹延之), Magistrate of Anbyeon Dohobu
Son: Han Sa-ja (韓獅子)
Concubine: name unknown
Illegitimate son: Han Su (韓遂)
Evaluation
According to the critical assessment of the historian recorded in his death notice (jolgi), his character was simple and calm, he spoke little, and he did not engage in deceiving others or in outward display. In office he was diligent and cautious and did not bend the law for private reasons. Once, when a high official tried to give an office to his maternal grandson on Han Chi-hyeong's behalf, Han objected, saying that the post could not be given to a foolish child merely because of this old man, and in the end he did not allow it.
He had no great achievements, but he also had no conspicuous faults. At the time when Yeonsan-gun threw the government into disorder, he repeatedly urged frugality and economy, and because of this he offended the king's sensibilities, and the calamity extended even after his death, which is said to be a sad matter. It is also said that because he had not studied, he lacked scholarship and was often stymied when confronted with affairs.
Annals of Yeonsan-gun, vol. 58, 11th year (1505), 2nd day of the 7th month, 5th article ↩
Annals of Yeonsan-gun, vol. 56, 10th year (1504), 18th day of the 12th month, 6th article ↩
It can be seen that personnel changes were made when Han Chi-hyeong was appointed Chief State Councilor, Sung Jun was appointed Left State Councilor, Yi Geuk-gyun was appointed Right State Councilor, Kang Gwi-son was appointed Minister of Personnel, Kim Eung-gi was appointed Minister of Justice, and Sung Hyeon was appointed Minister of Works. ↩
Appears in the drama under the adapted name Han Min-seong. ↩
Han Chi-hyeong (韓致亨, 1434 – 30 October 1502) was a scholar-official and poet of early Joseon. He was the nephew of Han Hwak and a paternal cousin of Queen Soehye (Queen Dowager Insu), and he was also a maternal cousin-uncle (oedangsuk) of Grand Prince Wolsan, Princess Myeongsuk, and Seongjong. He was also a son-in-law of Grand Prince Yangnyeong. His courtesy names were Hyeongji (亨之) and Tongji (通之), his posthumous name was Jilgyeong (質景), and his family seat was Cheongju. While serving as Chief State Councilor, he regarded the governance of Yeonsan-gun as tyrannical and remonstrated with the king, which earned the king's enmity. He was posthumously subjected to decapitation of the corpse (bugwan chamsi), his immediate family was executed, and his illegitimate sons were also put to death.
In 1451 (1st year of King Munjong), at the age of 18, he entered office through hereditary privilege (eumbo) and was appointed to a military post. He subsequently served as Inspector, Right Remonstrator, Left Remonstrator, and Deputy Director of the Royal Stables (Sasabusoyun). In December 1455, while serving as Deputy Director, he was selected as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject of the Original Followers (Jwaik Wonjong Gongsin, 佐翼原從三等).
In 1467 (13th year of King Sejo), he became Pangyeolsa of the Jangnyewon. He then served as Right Vice Secretary and Left Vice Secretary, and afterward as Right Secretary and Left Secretary. After that he served as Vice Minister of Personnel and Vice Minister of Revenue, then as Jungji Chungjubusa (Associate Minister of the Central Administrative Office), and then became Grand Minister of Censors. He twice served as Magistrate of Gaeseong and was then enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong. Afterward he served as GyeonggiGovernor and HansŏngPan-yun. He then served as Minister of Works, Minister of Revenue, Minister of Justice, and Minister of War. Next he served as Pan-uigeumbusa, Jwachamchan, and Jwachanseong, and then became Right State Councilor, and was promoted to Lord of Cheongseong Prefecture (Cheongseong Buwongun).
In 1496 he passed through the post of Left State Councilor and in 1500 rose to Chief State Councilor. At this time he came into conflict with Yeonsan-gun and incurred his hatred. Two years after his death, during the Gabja Purge, his posthumous titles were revoked and he was subjected to decapitation of the corpse (bugwan chamsi). He had previously had laws he proposed prevented from being implemented,1 and his concubine's son Han Su (韓遂) was executed by beheading.2 His entire family was also wiped out. After the Jungjong Restoration, he was posthumously rehabilitated.
Because his paternal aunt became a concubine of the Yongle Emperor of Ming China, as Consort Yeo (麗妃), and another paternal aunt became a concubine of the Xuande Emperor as Lady Gongsin (恭愼夫人), he was dispatched to Ming China during the reign of Seongjong several times as Envoy for Petitions (jucheongsa), Envoy for the Emperor's Birthday (seongjeolsa), and Envoy for Gratitude (saeunsa), and he was received with favor by the Ming emperor. In the Mu-o Purge, he instead took part in the execution of Kim Il-son and other Sarim scholars.
Biography
Early life
He was the fourth-generation descendant of Han Bang-sin (韓方信). His great-grandfather was Han Yeong (韓寧), his grandfather was Han Yeong-jeong (韓永矴), and his father was Han Jeol (韓𥑇), who served as Gongjo Jeonggwan (Junior Official of the Ministry of Works) and posthumously received the honorific title Senior State Councilor of the Uijeongbu with the titles Sunchung Jeokdeok Byeongui Bozo Gongsin, and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong Prefecture. His mother was of the Hanyang Jo clan, daughter of Jo Seo (趙敍), Commander of the Central Army (Jungun Chongje); she was also of the Gaeseong Wang clan, granddaughter through her mother of Wang Jin (王進), Lord of Yeongwon.
His great-grandfather Han Yeong served as Recorder of the Sinhowi (Sinhoweii Nokssa) in the Goryeo period, but was implicated in the Hongnyun Rebellion and executed. After the founding of Joseon, he was posthumously appointed Minister of War with the rank of Jahon Daebu. His grandfather Han Yeong-jeong attained the rank of Magistrate of Sunchang (Sunchanggunsa) with the title Jungheon Daebu after the founding of Joseon, but his father Han Jeol's office was limited to Gongjo Jeonggwan, and the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His great-great-uncle Han Gong-ui (韓公義) was the great-grandfather of Han Myeong-hoe, the close associate and strategist of Sejo; thus Han Chi-hyeong was ten generations removed from Han Myeong-hoe. Han Hwak, father of Queen Soehye and of Lady Gyeyang, was his paternal uncle; he was therefore a fourth-degree cousin of Queen Soehye and a cousin of Han Chi-in.
His paternal aunt Lady Han of Yeo was offered to Ming China as a tribute woman, but was noticed by the Yongle Emperor and became his concubine. Another paternal aunt, Lady Gongsin, became a concubine of the Xuande Emperor.
His elder brother Han Chi-won served as an official of the Uigyeonggo, Magistrate of the Sajikseo, and Jeom of the Gunjagam in the early reign of Seongjong. His younger brother Han Chi-mi served as Bongsa, but no record of his birth or death survives. Another younger brother, Han Chi-ryang, escaped the calamity that befell the family and survived until 1525.
In 1451 (1st year of King Munjong), at the age of 18, he entered office through hereditary privilege (eumbo) and was appointed to a military post and became Gisagwan of the Hoeuicheong (Hoewicheong Gisagwan). In 1453 (1st year of King Danjong), through hereditary privilege, he became Jikjang of the Sahoseo (Sa-oseo Jikjang). He subsequently served as Inspector, and then as Right Remonstrator, Left Remonstrator, and Deputy Director of the Royal Stables (Sasabusoyun). In December 1455, while serving as Deputy Director, he was selected as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject of the Original Followers of the Left Assistance (Jwaik Wonjong Gongsin).
Official career
Afterward, during the reign of King Sejo, he served as Deputy Assistant and others, and in September 1463 was appointed Right Remonstrator of the Office of the Inspector General (Saheonbu). During his tenure as Right Remonstrator in 1463, Left Remonstrator Kim Yi-yong (金利用) censured Kim Cheo-ui (金處義) for saying that he had not read the Mujaerok (武才錄) and that it was a trivial matter, and Kim Cheo-ui was subjected to interrogation. As a result, in November of that year, all officials of the Office of the Inspector General submitted their resignations, and he resigned along with them.
He then became Right Deputy Secretary (uBuseungji). In April 1467, when King Sejo sought recommendations for suitable secretaries at Jipsangjeon, his name was among those considered. On 27 April he became Left Deputy Secretary and by royal order managed personnel affairs of the Board of Personnel (Ijo). On 20 May he became Right Secretary. After serving as Pyeongan-do Seonwisa and Left Secretary, in October of that year he went as Pyeongan-do Byeolseonwisa (Special Pacification Commissioner of Pyeongan Province). Then in 1467 (13th year of King Sejo) he became Pangyeolsa of the Jangnyewon. He subsequently served as a Wi-jang (Guard General) and then became Commander of the Sungseong Garrison (Susong Daejang), and was then transferred to Jungchubu Dongjisa. On 12 December 1467 he became Vice Minister of the Board of Personnel, and on 27 December became Vice Minister of the Board of Revenue.
In 1468, immediately after the accession of King Yejong, he was appointed Governor of Hamgil-namdo, but after six months was transferred to Haeng Hogun (Acting Guard General). In 1469 he was again appointed Vice Minister of Revenue. Immediately after the accession of King Seongjong, he was dispatched to Ming China as Envoy for Requesting Investiture (Chaekbong Jucheongsa) and visited Yanjing.
After Seongjong ascended the throne, he was appointed Haeng Hogun and Director of the Mausoleum Office of King Yejong (Sanleung Dogam Jeti), and became Dongji Jungchubusa. He then again served as Dongji Jungchubusa and became Grand Minister of Censors. In 1471 (2nd year of King Seongjong) he was selected as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject for Pure Sincerity and Brightness and Assistance in Governance (Sunseong Myeongryang Jwari Gongsin), and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong (Cheongseong-gun). He was promoted to Minister of Justice. Afterward he was appointed Vice Envoy of the Seongjeolsa (Envoy for the Emperor's Birthday) dispatched to Ming China and visited Ming China.
In 1473 he became Magistrate of Gaeseong, and the next year was again appointed Magistrate of Gaeseong. He was appointed Lord of Cheongseong with the rank of Jahon Daebu (Jahon Daebu Cheongseong-gun) concurrently Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and went out as Gyeonggi Governor, then became HansŏngPan-yun, and then after passing through the posts of Minister of Revenue and Minister of War, served concurrently as Chief Director of the Seongseon Office (Gyeomseongseon-gam Dojejo) and Pyeongan-do Chechalsa (Pacification Commissioner of Pyeongan Province).
In 1480, while serving as Minister of Works, he went as Envoy for Gratitude (saeunsa), and in 1481, while serving as Minister of Revenue, he again went as Envoy for the Emperor's Birthday (seongjeolsa). In 1484 he again went to Ming China as Chief Envoy of the Seongjeolsa, and in 1481 he rose to Jwachamchan. He then served as Envoy for Relief in Gyeongsang-do (Gyeongsangdo Jinsulsa), Minister of Justice, and Director for the Construction of the Wall (Chukjang Dogam Jaejo).
Later life
Immediately after the accession of Yeonsan-gun, he served as Uijeongbu Uchanseong (Right Assistant State Councilor, 議政府右贊成) and concurrently Co-Director of the State Funeral of Seongjong (Gukjang Dojang Dojejo). He then became Jwachanseong, and as Jwachanseong served concurrently as Grand Minister of Censors and as a judge of the Ministry of Punishments (Uigeum-bu). In 1495 (1st year of Yeonsan-gun) he became Jwachanseong and concurrently Grand Minister of Censors, and the next year he rose to Right State Councilor of the Uijeongbu with the rank of Daegwang Boguk Sungrok Daebu, and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong Prefecture (Cheongseong Buwongun).
In 1498 (4th year of Yeonsan-gun) he became Left State Councilor, and in July of that year, when the literary-history incident of the royal annals developed into the Mu-o Purge, he had No Sa-sin and others execute Kim Il-son (金馹孫) and others. During the Mu-o Purge, as Left State Councilor, when the Kim Il-son writings incident broke out, he recommended arresting the disciples of Kim Jong-jik and interrogating them. Afterward, together with Yu Ja-gwang (柳子光), No Sa-sin and others, he agreed to the execution of Kim Il-son and others, and was deeply involved in the purge. Meanwhile, citing the fact that Kwon O-bok had an aged mother, he requested that his brother's sentence be reduced.
In 1500 he was appointed Chief State Councilor of the Uijeongbu, and concurrently served as Tutor and Father of the Crown Prince (Sejasabu), Director of the Chungsun Office (Chungunbu Dangsang), and Chief Director of the Military Affairs Office (Bi-yungsa Jejo).3 Although he was promoted to Chief State Councilor, he came into conflict with Yeonsan-gun. He repeatedly urged frugality and economy, and for this he incurred the king's enmity; he also remonstrated against the tyranny of Yeonsan-gun and was disliked by the king in return. On 3 October 1502 (8th year of Yeonsan-gun), he died while serving as Chief State Councilor. Immediately afterward, the posthumous name Jilgyeong (質景) was conferred. Because he was loyal, upright, and without deceit, it was said "Jeong-jeong-mu-sa is called Jil" (忠正無邪曰質); and because he accomplished affairs by means of righteousness, it was said "Yu-ui-je-wa is called Gyeong" (由義而濟曰景), and thus the posthumous name Jilgyeong was determined. He was 68 years old.
After death
After his death, in May 1504 during the Gabja Purge, he was posthumously condemned and subjected to decapitation of the corpse (bugwan chamsi), and his family was wiped out. It was earlier held that he had taken part in the scheme to depose Queen Yun (尹妃), the mother of Yeonsan-gun, and for this reason he was subjected to decapitation of the corpse together with Yun Pil-sang (尹弼商), Han Myeong-hoe, Jeong Chang-son and others. On 4 May of that year his head was cut off and hung in the marketplace. Also, the ten-article memorial (10조의 서) he had submitted was all burned. In December of that year, the laws he had proposed were all abolished, his remains were ordered to be reduced to bone fragments and scattered by the wind, and his house was confiscated and given to the maternal brother of Jang Nok-su.
On 18 December of that year his illegitimate son Han Su (韓遂) was also executed by beheading, and his other relatives were wiped out. His son-in-law Im Yu-chim (林有琛) was also exiled. After the Jungjong Restoration, he was rehabilitated. In the end, after his death, his elder brother Han Chi-won's son Han Jeok was adopted as a posthumous heir and continued the family line.
His grave is located at Seosan (西山 梨洞, present-day Isagol, Samsang-ri, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju) in the southwest direction near the grave of his father Han Jeol. The epitaph and grave tablet inscriptions were written by Hong Gwi-dal (洪貴達), Heobaekjeong, who served as Chamchan (Vice Minister). The stele inscription was written by his descendant Han Jeong-gyo (正敎), and the calligraphy was written by his descendant Han Sang-gap (相甲).
Family
Great-grandfather: Han Nyeong (韓寧)
Grandfather: Han Yeong-jeong (韓永矴)
Grandmother: of the Uiseong Kim clan, daughter of Kim Yeong-ryeol, Lord of Uiseong
Paternal aunt: Lady Han of Yeo, concubine of the Yongle Emperor of Ming China
Principal wife: Hyeonju Jeonju Yi clan (? – 17 July 1494), daughter of Yi Je (Grand Prince Yangnyeong)
Eldest daughter: Cheongju Han clan
Son-in-law: Im Yu-chim (林有琛) of the Boan Im clan
Maternal grandson: Im Se-chang (林世昌)
Maternal grandson: Im Se-bang (林世芳)
Maternal grandson: Im Se-bun (林世賁)
Maternal grandson: Im Se-□ (林世□)
Maternal granddaughter: wife of Song Hong (宋弘) of the Jinchun Song clan
Maternal granddaughter: wife of Kim Bu (金坤) of the Suncheon Kim clan
Second wife: of the Danyang Woo clan, daughter of Woo Yeon-ji (禹延之), Magistrate of Anbyeon Dohobu
Son: Han Sa-ja (韓獅子)
Concubine: name unknown
Illegitimate son: Han Su (韓遂)
Evaluation
According to the critical assessment of the historian recorded in his death notice (jolgi), his character was simple and calm, he spoke little, and he did not engage in deceiving others or in outward display. In office he was diligent and cautious and did not bend the law for private reasons. Once, when a high official tried to give an office to his maternal grandson on Han Chi-hyeong's behalf, Han objected, saying that the post could not be given to a foolish child merely because of this old man, and in the end he did not allow it.
He had no great achievements, but he also had no conspicuous faults. At the time when Yeonsan-gun threw the government into disorder, he repeatedly urged frugality and economy, and because of this he offended the king's sensibilities, and the calamity extended even after his death, which is said to be a sad matter. It is also said that because he had not studied, he lacked scholarship and was often stymied when confronted with affairs.
Annals of Yeonsan-gun, vol. 58, 11th year (1505), 2nd day of the 7th month, 5th article ↩
Annals of Yeonsan-gun, vol. 56, 10th year (1504), 18th day of the 12th month, 6th article ↩
It can be seen that personnel changes were made when Han Chi-hyeong was appointed Chief State Councilor, Sung Jun was appointed Left State Councilor, Yi Geuk-gyun was appointed Right State Councilor, Kang Gwi-son was appointed Minister of Personnel, Kim Eung-gi was appointed Minister of Justice, and Sung Hyeon was appointed Minister of Works. ↩
Appears in the drama under the adapted name Han Min-seong. ↩