Heo Seong

Heo Seong (許筬, 1548–1612) was a civil official of mid-Joseon. His family seat was Yangcheon (陽川). His courtesy name was Gongeon (功彦), and he was also known by the pen names Angnok (岳麓) and Sanjeon (山前).¹ Born in 1548, the third year of King Myeongjong of Joseon, he was the eldest son of his father, Chodang Heo Yeop (許曄), and his first wife, Lady Han (韓氏). He was the elder brother of Heo Nanseolheon (許蘭雪軒) and a half-brother of Heo Bong (許篈) and Heo Gyun (許筠). He was the brother-in-law of Woo Seong-jeon. He passed the civil service examination, and his official career reached Minister of Personnel with the rank of Jeonghon Daebu. Posthumously he was granted the rank of Left State Councilor of the State Council with the rank of Sungjeong Daebu. In 1604 (the 37th year of King Seonjo), he was recorded as a first-class Seonmu original merit subject (宣武原從功臣一等). On August 27, 1614 (the 6th year of Gwanghaegun), he was registered as a first-class Wiseong original merit subject (衛聖原從功臣).

Overview

In 1590, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, the Joseon envoy mission was formed to observe the movements of Japan. On November 18, 1589, Jeong Tak was appointed as Saeunsa, Hwang Yun-gil was appointed as chief envoy, Kim Seong-il as deputy envoy, and Heo Seong as Seojanggwan. The mission departed for Daemado on March 6, 1590. Heo Seong returned from Japan on January 28, 1591, but as soon as he came back he was impeached, immediately confined in Dongnae-bu, and transferred to the Uigeumbu.²