Hwang Hui facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hwang Hui 황희
Chief State Councillor
In office 8 October 1431 – 21 October 1449
Preceded by	Gu Jong-gil
Succeeded by	Ha Yeon
Left State Councillor
In office 21 February 1427 – 9 December 1430
Preceded by	Yi Jik
Succeeded by	Maeng Sa-seong
Right State Councillor
In office 18 July 1426 – 21 February 1427
Preceded by	Cho Yeon
Succeeded by	Maeng Sa-seong
Personal details
Born	1363
Died	1452
Spouses	Lady Choe Lady, of the Cheongju Yang clan
Children	Lady Hwang Hwang Chi-sin Hwang Bo-sin Hwang Su-sin Hwang Jik-sin Lady Hwang
Parents	Hwang Gun-seo (father) Lady, of the Yonggung Gim clan (mother)
Korean name
Hangul	황희
Hanja	黃喜
Revised Romanization	Hwang Hui
McCune–Reischauer	Hwang Hŭi
Art name
Hangul	방촌
Hanja	厖村
Revised Romanization	Bangchon
McCune–Reischauer	Bangch'on
Childhood name
Hangul	수로
Hanja	壽老
Revised Romanization	Suro
McCune–Reischauer	Suro
Courtesy name
Hangul	구부
Hanja	懼夫
Revised Romanization	Gubu
McCune–Reischauer	Kubu
Posthumous name
Hangul	익성
Hanja	翼成
Revised Romanization	Ikseong
McCune–Reischauer	Iksŏng

Hwang Hui (born 1363, died 1452) was a very important politician in ancient Korea. He lived during two big periods: the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. He even became the prime minister of the Joseon dynasty, which was like the highest government job, from 1431 to 1449. He was from the Jangsu Hwang family.

Hwang Hui's Life Story

Hwang Hui started his career as a government official in the Goryeo dynasty. Later, in 1394, he joined the government of the new Joseon dynasty.

In 1418, Hwang Hui was sent away from the capital city, Seoul. This happened because he supported Yangnyeong, the eldest prince of King Taejong, even though the prince was misbehaving.

However, after King Sejong the Great became king, Hwang Hui was called back to serve. He held many important government jobs. In 1431, he was chosen to be the prime minister. He served in this top role for 18 years, until 1449, when he retired from government work.

What Hwang Hui Achieved

Hwang Hui worked hard to make life better for people in Joseon.

Helping Farmers and the Economy

• He helped farmers by giving them grain seeds. This improved farming methods.
• He also told every province to plant many mulberry trees. These trees were important for making silk, which helped people earn money.
• He helped organize important economic laws. These laws were put into books called 'economic land', which were divided into different parts. This made sure the rules were clear and easy to follow.

Protecting the Country

• Hwang Hui also focused on keeping the country safe. He helped create defense plans to protect Joseon from attacks from the north and south.

Improving Social Rules

• He worked to update the rules of etiquette (good manners and customs) from the Goryeo period. He made sure these rules fit well with the ways of the Ming dynasty and the Joseon dynasty.

Hwang Hui's Political Ideas

Hwang Hui served as the Yeonguijeong, which was the highest of the three royal prime minister positions. He held this top job for 18 years. In total, he worked for the monarchy for 24 years.

He was known for his strong belief: "That which is just takes priority and must be enacted." This meant he believed that fairness and what was right should always come first in government decisions.

During his time as prime minister, he focused on several key areas:

• Improving farming methods.
• Changing laws that created big differences between social classes.
• Giving chances to people who were born outside of marriage or from concubines to take important government exams. This helped more people get good jobs.

Family Life

Hwang Hui had a family that was part of the Joseon society.

• His father was Hwang Gun-seo (1328–1402).
• His mother was Lady Kim of the Yonggung Kim clan.
• He had two wives: Lady Choe and Lady Yang of the Cheongju Yang clan.
• He had several children, including sons Hwang Chi-sin, Hwang Bo-sin, Hwang Su-sin, and Hwang Jik-sin, and two daughters.

See also

• Sejong the Great
• Maeng Saseong