Yi Hu (1694)

Yi Hu (李𪻶, 1694 ~ 1761) was a civil official of late Joseon and a member of the Yeonan Yi clan. His courtesy name was Huok (厚玉) and his pen name was Guong (癯翁). He was the fifth-generation descendant of Chief State Councillor Yi Si-baek, and during the reign of King Yeongjo he served as Left State Councillor. However, he took responsibility for the Prince Sado incident and died by suicide together with Chief State Councillor Yi Cheon-bo and Right State Councillor Min Baek-sang.

생애

Yi Hu first entered office through the 음보 (eumbo) privilege and served as a magistrate. He later passed the civil service examination and, with King Yeongjo's favor, served as 호남균전세사 (Honam gyunjeon sesa) and similar posts. He then served as 승지 (seungji), Governor of Gyeongsang Province, and 호남균세사 (Honam gyunsesa). After this he became 대사간 (Grand Remonstrator) and 동지의금부사 (Vice Commissioner of the Royal Investigation Office), followed by Vice Mayor of Hanseong and Governor of Gyeonggi Province. He then served as Vice Minister of Personnel and Minister of War and Minister of Personnel, before becoming Right State Councillor and then Left State Councillor. He protected Crown Prince Sado, but when the Prince Sado incident in Pyongyang broke out, he took responsibility for failing to properly assist the crown prince and died by poison-induced suicide together with the Chief State Councillor and Right State Councillor. He was close to Kim Sang-ro, Hong Bong-han, Sin Man, Kim Yak-ro, Jeong Seok-o, Sin Hoe, Yi Cheon-bo, and Min Baek-sang. His posthumous name was Jeongik (定翼).