Yi Geuk-gyun

Yi Geuk-gyun (李克均, 1437 – 1504) was a civil official of Joseon. His family seat was Gwangju (廣州), and his courtesy name was Banghyeong (邦衡).

Life

He was the great-grandson of Jip (集), and his grandfather was Jiji (之直). His father was Right State Councillor In-son (仁孫), and his mother was the daughter of No Sin (盧信).

In 1456 (2nd year of King Sejo), he passed the regular civil service examination (式年試), Jeonggwa (丁科), ranking 23rd in that division and 33rd overall.¹ He was also excellent in martial arts, earned the favor of King Sejo, and became a Royal Military Officer (宣傳官).

In 1459 he served as Secretary (主簿) of the Sungkyunkwan, Military Commander of Hoeryeong (會寧都事), Magistrate (持平), and as an aide (從事官) to the Commander-in-Chief of the Provincial Forces (都體察使). The following year, together with Kim Gu (金鉤), Choe Hang, and Jeong In-ji, he compiled the Revised Annotated Commentary on Sunzi (《校正孫子註解》).

In 1467, as Assistant Commander (副護軍), he became Military Commander of Manpo (滿浦節制使). He distinguished himself in the campaign against the Jianzhou Jurchens (建州衛征伐) and was named a Third-Class Meritorious Subject, receiving six slaves as a reward.

In 1472 (3rd year of King Seongjong), he went to Ming China as envoy (千秋使). Afterward he served as Senior Assistant Minister of Revenue (戶曹參判) and Chief Inspector-General (大司憲) of the Office of the Inspector-General (司憲府), and then became Governor of Jeolla Province (全羅道觀察使) in 1474, Governor of Pyeongan Province (平安道觀察使) in 1477, and Governor of Gangwon Province (江原道觀察使) in 1479.

In 1484 he served as Chief Inspector-General, and in 1486 he rose to Minister of Justice. He then served successively as Minister of War (兵曹判書), Minister of Justice, Mayor of Hanseong (漢城府判尹), Director of the Office of Royal Discipline (義禁府堂上), and Minister of Personnel (吏曹判書).

In 1495 (1st year of King Yeonsan), after serving as Governor of Pyeongan Province, he became Left Assistant State Councillor (左贊成) in 1498. The following year he was sent out as Border Defense Commissioner (警邊使). In 1500 he became Right State Councillor. In the following year, together with Left State Councillor Sung Jun, he compiled the Records of the Various Barbarians of the Northwest (《西北諸蕃記》) and the (〈西北地圖〉).