Nam Eul-beon

Nam Eul-beon (南乙蕃, 1320 – 13 February 1395) was a scholar-official of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. During Goryeo he served as Military Secretariat Vice Commissioner (密直府使), and after the founding of Joseon he was made Acting Chief State Councillor (檢校侍中) on account of the merits of his sons Nam Jae and Nam Eun, who were founding meritorious subjects. He was the great-great-grandfather of the general Nam I. His posthumous name was Gyeongnyeol (敬烈).

He was born in 1320 (7th year of King Chungsuk). His grandfather was Nam Ikjeo (南益㫝, also known as Gaejeo (盖胝)), who served as Deputy Director (豊儲倉副使) and Director (豊儲倉使) of Pungjeo Storehouse. His father was Nam Cheonno (南天路), who served as Magistrate of Yeonggwang County (知靈光郡事). His mother was a daughter of Park Jong (朴琮) of the Hamyang Park clan, who served as Central Guard General (中郞將). His younger brothers were Nam Eul-jin and Nam Eul-gyeong.

Little is known about his early life. He entered office in late Goryeo and served as Military Secretariat Vice Commissioner (密直副使). In July 1392 (4th year of King Gongyang), when Yi Seong-gye founded Joseon, he took office under the new dynasty. Owing to the meritorious service of his sons Nam Jae (南在) and Nam Eun (南誾), who were founding meritorious subjects, he was made Acting Chief State Councillor (檢校侍中). He was then granted the title of Meritorious Subject for Supporting the Founding (翊戴補祚贊化功臣), and after serving as Grand Master for Glorious Eminence and Chief State Councillor of the Chancellery (輔國崇祿大夫門下省侍中), he was enfeoffed as Lord of Uiryeong (宜寧府院君). He died on 13 February 1395 (4th year of King Taejo). The posthumous name Gyeongnyeol (敬烈) was conferred on him. Much later, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Master for Glorious Eminence, Great Court Official and Chief State Councillor (證 大匡輔國崇祿大夫 領議政).

His tomb is located in Hwajeop-ri, Byeolbi-myeon, Yangju County, Gyeonggi Province (later changed to Hwajeop-ri 282-7, Byeolnae-myeon, Namyangju, and then renamed Byeolnae-dong, Namyangju), in the Jueulgok hamlet. The tomb of his son is located nearby.