Yi San-hae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yi San-hae
이산해 |
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|---|---|
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| Chief State Councillor | |
| In office 6 March 1600 – 9 June 1600 |
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| Preceded by | Yi Won-ik |
| Succeeded by | Yi Hang-bok |
| In office 1590 – 10 June 1592 |
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| Preceded by | Ryu Jeon |
| Succeeded by | Ryu Seong-ryong |
| Left State Councillor | |
| In office 16 March 1589 – 11 March 1590 |
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| Preceded by | Ryu Jeon |
| Succeeded by | Jeong Cheol |
| Right State Councillor | |
| In office 19 November 1588 – 16 March 1589 |
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| Preceded by | Ryu Jeon |
| Succeeded by | Jeong Eon-sin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 July 1539 |
| Died | 2 August 1609 (aged 70) |
| Political party | Easterners, later Northerners |
| Spouse | Lady Jo of the Yangju Jo clan |
| Children | Yi Gyeong-baek Yi Gyeong-jeon Yi Gyeong-sin Yi Gyeong-yu 4 daughters |
| Parents |
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| Education | Siknyeon Liberal Arts Department graduated in 1561 |
| Occupation | Writer Poet Civil servant |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Yi Sanhae |
| McCune–Reischauer | I Sanhae |
| Art name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Agye, Jongnamsuong, Jukpiong, Sichongeosa |
| McCune–Reischauer | Agye, Chongnamsuong, Chukp'iong, Sich'on'gŏsa |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Yeosu |
| McCune–Reischauer | Yŏsu |
| Posthumous name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Munchung |
| McCune–Reischauer | Munch'ung |
Yi Sanhae (Hangul: 이산해; Hanja: 李山海; 20 July 1539 – 1609) was an important politician, scholar, writer, and poet during Korea's Joseon period. He came from the Hansan Yi family. He held the highest government position, called the Chief State Councilor, twice: from 1590 to 1592 and again in 1600. Yi Sanhae was a key member of a political group known as the Easterners. When this group later split, he became the leader of the Northerners faction.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Yi Sanhae was born in Hanseong (which is now Seoul) into a noble family called yangban. His family had a long history of scholars. His great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was Yi Saek, a famous scholar and writer from an earlier time.
Yi Sanhae was known for being very smart from a young age. He studied with his uncle, Yi Ji-ham. People said he wrote poems when he was only five years old! By age 15, he was already famous for his beautiful handwriting and painting skills. He also learned from other great teachers like Jo Sik and Yi Hwang. These teachers and his classmates later formed the main political groups of his time.
In 1561, he passed the Mungwa exam, which was a difficult test to become a government official. His first job was in the Seungmuwon, a department that handled Joseon's relationships with other countries.
Political Career and Factions
Yi Sanhae quickly moved up in the government. In 1562, he joined the Hongmungwan, a special office that advised the king. By 1567, he was a Jikjehak, a high-ranking official. In 1570, he became one of the six royal secretaries, who worked closely with the king. He briefly left his job in 1574 after his father died but returned three years later.
Conflicts with the Westerners
In 1578, Yi Sanhae was put in charge of investigating corruption. This investigation involved Yun Doo-su and Yun Geun-su, who were leaders of the Westerners political group. Yi Sanhae, who was part of the rival Easterners group, strongly attacked the Yun brothers. He managed to get them removed from their positions.
Later that year, when Yi Sanhae was given even higher positions, the Westerners tried to stop it. They were still angry about his actions. However, King Seonjo trusted Yi Sanhae's abilities and ignored their complaints.
Rising Through the Ranks
Yi Sanhae continued to gain power. In 1579, he became the Minister of Law. By 1583, he held several important roles in just one year, including head of the Uigeumbu (a special court) and Minister of Personnel, Rites, and Military Affairs.
The Westerners kept trying to get Yi Sanhae removed. In 1585, they reported rumors about him to King Seonjo. But the King told them he would not lose trust in Yi Sanhae because of false stories. Yi Sanhae even tried to resign a few times, but King Seonjo always convinced him to stay.
In 1588, Yi Sanhae was appointed as the Right State Councilor, a very high position, despite the Westerners' objections. A year later, in 1589, he was promoted again to Left State Councilor.
The Jeong Yeo-rip Incident
Also in 1589, a former Westerner named Jeong Yeo-rip was accused of treason. King Seonjo put the Westerner Jeong Cheol in charge of the investigation. The Westerners used this chance to remove many important Easterners from power. They tried to involve Yi Sanhae in the rebellion, but they failed because King Seonjo trusted him so much. When some officials asked for Yi Sanhae and Ryu Seong-ryong to be punished, the King got angry and punished those who made the request instead. He then personally met Yi and Ryu to reassure them.
In 1590, Yi Sanhae reached the highest position in the government: Chief State Councilor.
Choosing the Next King
Yi Sanhae saw an opportunity to help the Easterners regain power and get revenge for the earlier removal of their members. The court generally thought Prince Gwanghae should be the next king. However, Yi Sanhae knew that King Seonjo preferred another prince, Prince Sinseong.
In 1591, when officials like Jeong Cheol and Ryu Seong-ryong met to discuss who should be the Crown Prince, Yi Sanhae pretended to agree that Prince Gwanghae was the best choice. But secretly, Yi Sanhae told Kim Gong Ryang, the brother of Prince Sinseong's mother, that Jeong Cheol and the Westerners were trying to harm the Prince and his mother.
When the King asked the ministers who should be the Crown Prince, Jeong Cheol and the Westerners recommended Prince Gwanghae. But Yi Sanhae and Ryu Seong-ryong, who were Easterners, stayed silent. This made King Seonjo very angry. He immediately removed Jeong Cheol and those who agreed with him from their jobs.
The Easterners Split
After this, the Easterners group split into two: the Northerners and the Southerners. The Northerners, who were more aggressive, wanted to punish Jeong Cheol severely. Yi Sanhae joined the Northerners and strongly argued for Jeong Cheol's execution. The Northerners won, becoming the most powerful group just before the Imjin War began in 1592. Yi Sanhae then removed all Westerners from court and brought back the Easterners who had been removed earlier.
The Imjin War
Yi Sanhae was the Chief State Councilor when Japan invaded Korea in 1592. This started the Imjin War. After early defeats, King Seonjo wanted to leave the capital city, Hanseong. Most government ministers disagreed, but Yi Sanhae supported the King's decision.
Because of the early military losses and the capital falling, Yi Sanhae was blamed. He was sent away to Kangwon Province until 1595. He returned to court in 1595, even though the Westerners were still against it. During the war, Yi Sanhae supported General Won Gyun, while Ryu Seong-ryong supported Admiral Yi Sun-sin. After his return, Yi Sanhae became Daejehak again and led the Northerners.
In 1596, he was put in charge of investigating a peasant rebellion.
After the Japanese leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, the Japanese army began to leave Korea in 1598. Yi Sanhae's son, Yi Gyeong-jeon, passed the Gwageo exam and was recommended for a government job. However, a Southerner official opposed his appointment, which made Yi Sanhae and his followers very angry. This increased his distrust of the Southerners.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1601, Yi Sanhae received the special title of Aseong Buwongun. He continued to serve in various government roles until 1609. Towards the end of King Seonjo's reign, the Northerners split again over who should be the next king. The Greater Northerners supported Prince Gwanghae, while the Smaller Northerners supported Prince Yeongchang. Yi Sanhae supported Prince Gwanghae, even though he knew the King preferred Prince Yeongchang, who was only three years old.
After King Seonjo died in 1608, Yi Sanhae stopped a plan by the Smaller Northerners. He made sure that Prince Gwanghae became the new king. Yi Sanhae retired in 1609 and passed away later that year.
Family
Yi Sanhae was married to Lady Jo of the Yangju Jo clan. They had several children, including sons Yi Gyeong-baek, Yi Gyeong-jeon, Yi Gyeong-sin, and Yi Gyeong-yu, and four daughters.
- Father: Yi Ji-beon (1508 - 1575)
- Uncle: Yi Ji-ham (1510 – 1578)
- Mother: Lady Nam of the Uiryeong Nam clan (biological) (1509 – 1581)
- Stepmother: Lady Ji of the Chungju Ji clan
- Spouse: Lady Jo of the Yangju Jo clan (1542 – 1604)
- Children:
- Son: Yi Gyeong-baek (1561–1580)
- Son: Yi Gyeong-jeon (1567–1644)
- Son: Yi Gyeong-sin
- Son: Yi Gyeong-yu (died young)
- Daughters: Four daughters, including one who married Yi Deok-hyeong
Writings
Yi Sanhae was also a talented writer and poet. He left behind collections of his works:
- Agye jip (아계집)
- Agye yugo (아계유고)
In Popular Culture
Yi Sanhae's life has been shown in Korean TV dramas:
- He was played by Ahn Suk-hwan in the 2014 KBS2 TV series The King's Face.
- He was played by Lee Jae-yong in the 2015 KBS1 TV series The Jingbirok: A Memoir of Imjin War.
See also
- Korean literature
- List of Koreans
- Joseon Dynasty
- Jeong Cheol
