Kim Sang-gwan

Kim Sang-gwan (金尙寬, January 9, 1566 – May 12, 1621) was a mid-Joseon civil official. His courtesy name was Jungyul (仲栗), his pen name was Geumsijae (今是齋), and his family seat was Andong (安東). His father was Kim Geuk-hyo (金克孝), who served as Dojeong of the Office of Royal In-laws and as Co-Director of the Office of Royal In-laws. His mother was Jeong Malјeong (鄭末貞), the third daughter of Jeong Yu-gil (鄭惟吉), Left State Councillor and pen name Imdang (林塘). He was the second of five sons. His elder brother was Kim Sang-yong (金尙容), Right State Councillor and pen name Seonwon (善源). His younger brothers were Kim Sang-geon (金尙蹇), a Jinsa, Kim Sang-heon (金尙憲), Left State Councillor with pen name Cheongeum (淸陰), and Kim Sang-bok (金尙宓), Magistrate of Gyeongju. His cousin on his father's side was Kim Sang-jun (金尙寯), Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice with pen name Hyuam (休菴).

생애

After entering government service through eum-bo (蔭譜, hereditary privilege), he experienced the Imjin War in 1592. In 1599 (the 32nd year of King Seonjo), he served as Junior Secretary of the Board of Revenue and supplied and supported grain for the Ming dynasty expeditionary forces sent to aid Joseon. Afterward, in 1604 (the 37th year of King Seonjo), he was again appointed as Junior Secretary of the Board of Revenue. In 1607 (the 40th year of King Seonjo), he took office as Magistrate of Jinsan (珍山郡守). He then served as Prefect of Hoeyang (淮陽府使) and Assistant Magistrate (判官), and within a single month he was promoted at one time to a senior official of the third rank (正三品 dangsanggwan). He was also once impeached by the Office of the Inspector-General (司憲府), but in 1609 (the 1st year of Gwanghaegun) he took office as Prefect of Jangdan (長湍府使).

His second son, Kim Gwang-chan (金光燦), was adopted into the household of his uncle, Cheongeum Kim Sang-heon. His descendants controlled the government in the late Joseon period and were the leading figures of the sedo politics (勢道政治) of the late Joseon period. He was the actual ancestor of the powerful families that continued through , , , , , , , and . His eldest son, Kim Gwang-hyeok (金光爀), passed the Jinsa first-class examination in the Imja Sik-nyeon Sama-si (壬子式年司馬試) of 1612 (the 4th year of Gwanghaegun), and passed the Eulgwa first-class in the Gapja Alseong Munkwa (甲子謁聖文科) of 1624 (the 2nd year of King Injo), serving as Deputy Royal Secretary (同副承旨). After his death, because his descendants rose to prominence, he was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel (吏曹參判), and was later posthumously granted the rank of Left Councillor of State of the Uijeongbu (議政府左贊成) with the senior first rank of Jeungsungjeongdaebu (證崇政大夫). His tomb is located at San 12-4, Ipae-dong, Namyangju City.