Yi Chongŭng
Yi Chongŭng | |
|---|---|
이종응 (李鍾應) | |
| Born | 7 November 1853 |
| Died | 1920 |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Occupation | Bureaucrat |
Yi Chongŭng (Korean: 이종응; Hanja: 李鍾應; 7 November 1853 – 1920) was a Korean government official of Joseon and the Korean Empire. After passing the military examination, he was promoted to 3rd rank government official (통정대부; 通政大夫). In 1902, he travelled to England as a member of the Korean special delegation to attend the coronation of King Edward VII and wrote the texts Sŏsarok and Sŏyugyŏnmullok.
Career
[edit]Yi was a bureacrat in the Joseon and Korean Empire governments. His family originated in Jeonju, and his given name was Chŏngŭng. He was an 11th-generation descendant of Prince Deokheung and an 8th-generation descendant of Prince Milsan Yi Ch'an (밀산군 이찬; 密山君 李澯).[1]
He was married to the daughter of O Sŏngmuk (오성묵; 吳成默), a member of the Haeju O Clan (해주오씨;海州吳氏).
He was born on November 7, 1853, in the 4th year of King Cheoljong's reign, as the second son. After passing the military service exam, he served as an inspector in the Office of the Inspector General and was later promoted to the 3rd rank.
In 1902, at the age of 50, he was chosen as a member of the delegation, led by special envoy and plenipotentiary, Prince Ŭiyang Yi Chaegak (의양군 이재각; 義陽君 李載覺). They traveled to England to attend the coronation of King Edward VII. Following his travels, he wrote the travelogue entitled Sŏsarok and the travel lyrics Sŏyugyŏnmullok.[2]
The travelogue recorded the customs and civilizations of the 12 countries he visited during the 136 day journey. The book was written in Chinese characters, and he later wrote Sŏyugyŏnmullok in Korean as lyrics to summarize the records, making them easier for future generations to read.[3]
In 1922, at the age of 68, Yi died. His grave is in Geumui-ri (Neunggok), Jangan-myeon, Hwaseong-gun, Gyeonggi-do.
Books
[edit]- Sŏsarok (서사록; 西槎錄)
- Sŏyugyŏnmullok (서유견문록)
Family
[edit]Yi had 4 sons and 4 daughters.
- Father: Yi Myŏngsik (October 11th 1827 - 1910), 2nd rank civil servant (가선대부; 嘉善大夫) and Minister of the Interior (내장원경; 內藏院卿).
- Mother: (March 3rd 1827 - 1903) Daughter of Cho Ch'ungyŏng (조춘경; 趙春卿), a naval commander from the Pyongyang Cho clan (평양조씨; 平壤趙氏).
- Older Brother: Yi Kyuŭng (이규응; 李奎應) Born in 1846, death in 1920.
- Younger Brother: Yi Seŭng (이세응; 李世應) Born in 1856, death unknown.
- Sister: Married Im Kyejun (임계준; 任季準) of Pungcheon (풍천인; 豊川人).
- Wife: (December 6th 1853 - 1912) Daughter of O Sŏngmuk (오성묵; 吳成默) of the Haeju Oh clan (해주오씨; 海州吳氏).
- Eldest Son: Yi Chaesŭng (이재승; 李載昇), Missionary and Minister of the Imperial Household, born in 1872, died in 1908.
- Eldest Daughter
- 2nd Daughter
- 3rd Daughter
- 4th Daughter
- 2nd Wife: Name Unknown
- 2nd Son: Yi Chaeuk (이재욱; 李載旭), born in 1902, died in 1936.
- 3rd Son: Yi Chaech'ang (이재창; 李載昶), born in 1909, death unknown.
- 3rd Wife: Name Unknown
- 4th Son: Yi Chaemyŏng (이재명; 李載明), born in 1913, death unknown.