한명회

Han Myeonghoe(韓明澮)

분야: History / Traditional Era, Family Name and People / Prominent Figures of the Traditional Era

유형: People / Civil and Military Officials

지역: Gangnam-gu, Seoul

시대: Joseon / Early Joseon

출처: 디지털강남구문화대전-Han Myeonghoe

Definition

Confucian official in the early Joseon period who was the owner of the pavilion “Apgujeong” near the Han River in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Family

Han Myeonghoe was from the Cheongju Han Clan and his childhood name was Jajun, pen names were Apgujeong and Saudang. Han’s grandfather was Han Sanggil who served as Senior second-ranking of the Royal Decrees; his father was Han Gi and his mother was daughter of Yi Jeok who also served as the Senior second-ranking of the Royal Decrees. Han Myeonghoe was born in 1415 (the 15th year of King Taejong) and died in 1487. Han’s two daughters became king’s consort; King Yeojong’s consort Jangsun, and King Seongjong’s consort Gonghye. During his life Han Myeonghoe enjoyed his power as a father of king’s wives.

Life

Han Myeonghoe advanced to the officialdom by recommendation system and he was appointed as a low-ranking official, gyeongdeokgungjik (敬德宮直) in 1452 (2nd year of King Munjong’s reign). The next year Han actively involved in the restoration of kingship and supported Grand Prince Suyang to be enthroned King Sejo. For his contribution Han Myeonghoe was honored as the first virtuous servant and in 1453, appointed to the Sixth-ranking Royal Secretary. Han’s promotion did not stop there; in 1456 Han’s position was promoted to the First Royal Secretary; in 1457, Minister of Personnel and also honorably titled “Sangdanggun” and then Han served as the Minister of Military. After successive high government positions Han Myeonghoe served as the Chief Commander of War of the four provinces-Hwanghae, Pyeongan, Hamgil and Gangwon. With highly respectful title “Sangdangbuwongun” Han Myeonghoe served as the third, second and the first chief councilors in successive in 1462, 1463 and then 1466, playing as the most important power in the Joseon government. Apart from his official service Han was also endowed with more honorable titles such as “Jwaikgongsin”, “Ikdaegongsin” and “Jwarigongsin”. Also as a father of two consorts of two kings Han in all his life was in the center of the absolute power.

In 1456 there was a movement of four politicians who were loyal to King Danjong and planned to restore the honor of kingship of the previous king, Danjong, who was killed by King Sejo in his young age. However, Han Myeonghoe, leader of pro-King Sejo party, was in the front to fail the movement. Even after the death of King Sejo, he was appointed a wonsang (royal substitute for the twenty-six day buffer period required before the crown prince can take the throne) and personally handled the state affairs. In 1468, Han was leading the investigation and execution of Nam I, royal relative and military commander and also helped King Seonjog have smooth transfer of power. In brief, Han Myeonghoe was in the center of important national affair and a decision maker in the political struggles. It is known that he was born three months premature and lost his parents in his young age, but since his 40s Han advanced up to the power and maintained it until his latter years.

At the peak of his power, Han Myeonghoe accumulated enormous wealth. He built a pavilion called Apgujeong by the Han River (in present day Apgujeong-dong, Gangnagu, Seoul) and was a patron Confucian literati. The fame of the pavilion became known to Chinese politicians and when Chinese envoys visited Joseon Korea they were keen to visit it. As a show of his power and prestige, Han once tried to construct an awning (yongbongchail) in his pavilion that had previously only been used in the royal court, but this caused objections from officials that resulted in Han being impeached.

During King Seongjong’s reign Han Myeonghoe pleaded to the king to allow him to expand his pavilion enough big to hold more Chinese guests, which was rejected by the king. In 1471, with Choe Hang and Sin Sukju Han Myeonghoe, as the director of the Bureau of State Records, published the Annal of King Sejo and also acted as a councilor of the king and suggested many ways to promote learning.

The Burial Place

The burial place and the memorial tombstone of Han Myeonghoe is located in 11-1 Sokchang-ri, in Susin-myeon in Cheonan City, Chungcheongnam-do Province.

Posthumous Title and Memory

After he died, in 1487 the spirit tablet of Han Myeonghoe was placed in the garden of the burial place of King Sejo and was posthumously titled “Chungseong (Loyalty)”. In 1504 (the 10th year of Prince Yeonsan’s reign) Han Myeonghoe’s corpse was dug up and behead on charge that Han was involved in the dethronement and execution of the Lady Yun, mother of Prince Yeonsan. But in 1506, after the restoration of King Jungjong, Han Myeonghoe regained his good name.

출처: 한국향토문화전자대전, 한국학중앙연구원 한국학중앙연구원 로고 [네이버 지식백과] Han Myeonghoe [韓明澮] (한국향토문화전자대전, 한국학중앙연구원)