Kang Hui-maeng

Kang Hui-maeng (姜希孟, 1424 – 1483) was a civil official of the early Joseon period. He held the post of Left State Councillor of Joseon and was renowned for his literary talent; he was also a painter. His family seat was Jinju. His courtesy name was Gyeongsun, his pen names were Sasukjae (私淑齋), Gukjo (菊塢), and Unsong Geosa (雲松居士), and his posthumous name was Munryang (文良).

Life

He was the second son of Kang Seok-deok (姜碩德), Vice Commissioner of the Office of Royal Relatives, and a nephew of Queen Soheon. He was a first cousin through his mother's side of Munjong and Sejo. (Kang Seok-deok was the younger brother-in-law of King Sejong.)¹

He passed the royal civil service examination of the 29th year of Sejong's reign (1447) with the rank of first class in the second grade. During the reign of Sejo he served as Minister of Rites and Minister of Justice, and during the reign of Yejong he was made a Meritorious Subject of Ikdae for his role in the execution of Nam I. During the reign of Seongjong he served as Minister of War, then Minister of Personnel, Right State Councillor, and Left State Councillor. He excelled in calligraphy, painting, and literature. After his death, his collected writings were compiled by Seo Geojeong. His works include <Sasukjae Collection> and <Chondamhaei>.Rumors spread that when Yeonsangun was about to take the throne, he would depose the consort Yun, and the palace was in turmoil; at that time Kang Hui-maeng stayed at his house.

He was born in Hanseong in 1424. He spent part of his early childhood in , (the site of Kang Hui-maeng's residence still exists in Siheung-dong 4, Seoul). In 1447 he passed the special civil service examination and entered office, rising to the rank of Left State Councillor. He excelled in both literature and painting, and was once placed in charge of the (Royal Painting Academy).