Yun Dong-do

Yun Dong-do (尹東度, 1707 (33rd year of Sukjong) ~ 1768 (44th year of Yeongjo) was a civil official of the late Joseon period. He was sympathetic to Crown Prince Sado and belonged to the Soron faction.

Overview

His family seat was Papyeong (坡平). His courtesy name was Gyeongjung (敬仲), and his art names were Namae (南厓) and Yudang (柳塘). He was the great-grandson of Director of the Office of Remonstrance Yun Sun-geo (尹舜擧). His grandfather was Vice Director of the Hall of Worthies Yun Jin (尹搢), his father was Minister Yun Hye-gyo (尹惠敎), and his mother was a daughter of Yi Ik-su (李益壽).

In 1744 (20th year of Yeongjo) he became a Jinsa (進士). The following year he passed the jeongsi mungwa (庭試文科) examination, placing second grade, while serving as magistrate of Haeju. In 1745 he held posts including Sras (司書), Vice Compiler (副修撰), Heonnap (獻納), and Kyori (校理). In 1748 he served as Vice Kyoli (副校理) and Subchanjwa (修撰), in 1750 as Director of the Office of Remonstrance, and in 1751 as Vice Eungyo (副應敎), Chief Royal Secretary (都承旨), and Grand Minister of Censors (大司諫), among other posts.

The next year he became Governor of Gyeongsang Province. However, the following year he was replaced (遞改) due to illness. In 1754 he served as Grand Academician (大司成), Grand Minister of Censors, Vice Director of the Hall of Worthies, and Royal Secretary. After 1758 he served as Grand Minister of Censors (大司憲), Vice Minister of Personnel (吏曹參判), Vice Director of the Hall of Worthies, Magistrate of Cheongpung, and Minister of Revenue (戶曹判書).

In 1761 he rose to Right State Councillor. The following year he opposed the punishment of Yun Gu-yeon (尹九淵), Military Commander of South Hamgyong Province, and requested clemency, for which he was dismissed from office. He was reinstated only three days later.

During the wall-poster incident of Na Gyeong-eon (1762), the people of Anseong identified Anseong-jeo as the mastermind behind the incident, and the people of Anseong accused Yun Gwang-yu (尹光裕), son of Yun Dong-do, of having instigated it.¹ Upon hearing this news, Yun Dong-do submitted his resignation. However, Crown Prince Sado, knowing the charge was a false accusation, issued a written letter to Yun Dong-do to console him. The crown prince had come to realize that the confession of the Anseong-jeo people had been produced by a pre-arranged script.

In 1764 he became Left State Councillor, and in 1766 Chief State Councillor. In 1768 he died while serving as Senior Adviser to the中樞府 (領中樞府事). His posthumous name was Jeongmun (靖文).

Family

• Great-great-grandfather: Yun Su (尹燧) – Magistrate of Jukju
  • Great-grandfather: Yun Sun-geo (尹舜擧) – Director of the Office of Remonstrance
    • Grandfather: Yun Jin (尹搢) – Vice Director of the Hall of Worthies
    • Grandmother: Lady Yi of Jeonju, daughter of Jinsa Yi Tae-jang (李台長)
      • Father: Yun Hye-gyo (尹惠敎) – Minister of Personnel
      • Mother: Lady Yi of Jeonju, daughter of Left Assistant State Councillor Yi Ik-su (李益壽)
        • Wife: Lady Jo of Pungyang, daughter of Right Assistant State Councillor Jo Won-myeong (趙遠命)

Footnotes

Footnotes

1. Lee Deok-il, The Confession of Crown Prince Sado (Humanist, 2004), p. 73 ↩