Sim Jae

Sim Jae (沈梓, 1624–1693) was a civil official of late Joseon. His family seat was Cheongsong, his courtesy name was Munsuk (文叔), and his pen name was Yangjolje (養拙齋). He was a leading figure of the hardline Namin faction (TakNam) and was close to Gwon Daewoon and Mok Naeseon.

Family background

He was the grandson of Sim Chang (沈昶), the adopted son of Sim Huisu, Left State Councillor in the reigns of King Seonjo and Gwanghaegun, who was a Namin official. Sim Chang was the son of Sim Changsu (沈昌壽), the elder brother of Sim Huisu.

Career

He passed the regular civil service examination in 1654 (5th year of King Hyojong) and became a Jeongja. He was promoted to Yeomneyol in 1657, then Jeongeon, and became Jipyeong in 1660. After King Hyeonjong ascended the throne, he served as a low-ranking official in the Board, holding the posts of Jipyeong, Secretary of the Border Office, and Assistant Compiler. He then served successively as Jipyeong, Assistant Compiler, Compiler, and Lecturer, and again as Compiler, Lecturer, Assistant Lecturer, and Responding Lecturer. In 1667 he became Royal Secretary, rising to senior rank. He then served as Right Royal Secretary, and in 1668 he was sent out as Governor of Gyeonggi Province. In 1670 he returned to the court as Royal Secretary and served as Grand Remonstrator.

He later served again as Grand Remonstrator, Right Royal Secretary, and Left Royal Secretary, then became Right Royal Secretary and, after serving as Left Royal Secretary, Vice Minister of Revenue, and then Chief Royal Secretary. He concurrently served as Assistant Examiner in the Board of Rites while serving as Grand Remonstrator, and was again sent out as Governor of Gyeonggi Province. When King Sukjong ascended the throne and the Westerners lost power, he supported their downfall and served in various posts, including Chief Royal Secretary, Vice Minister of Personnel, and Grand Remonstrator. He later served as Sub-Magistrate of the court, went to Qing China as an envoy, and continued as Grand Remonstrator. He was again sent out as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, but was dismissed in 1680 during the . However, the Western government, which recognized his ability, specially recruited him, and he became , then served as Vice Mayor of . He again became , , and Vice Minister of Rites, and also served as an examiner of the preliminary examinations, supervising the civil service examinations. He then served as and became . After the , he became . Later, as a close associate of , he served as and , concurrently serving as Director of the Office of Astronomy, and as while also serving as Director of the Royal Lecture Office. He then entered the (耆老所) as and died in 1693. However, in 1694, during the , his official rank was revoked.