Kim Su-dong

Kim Su-dong (金壽童, 14 January 1457¹ – 7 July 1512) was a civil official of Joseon. His family seat was Andong (安東), and his courtesy name was Misu (眉叟). He was the nephew of Kim Jil (金礩).

Life

In 1474 (17th year of Seongjong), he passed the Saengwon examination. In 1477 (20th year of Seongjong), he passed the regular civil service examination in the third rank (丙科) and became Acting Junior Compiler of the Seungmunwon (權知承文院副正字).

He later held various posts, and in 1495 (1st year of Yeonsan-gun) he was appointed Junior Secretary of the Hall of Worthies (典翰). When envoys came from Ming after the death of Seongjong (成宗), he served as Ceremonial Officer (問禮官) for them.

In June of the following year, he passed through the post of Director of Studies (直提學) and became Vice Director of the Hall of Worthies (副提學), thereby joining the ranks of senior officials (堂上官).

In 1497 (3rd year of Yeonsan-gun), he served as Deputy Chief Royal Secretary (同副承旨). In February 1498 (4th year of Yeonsan-gun), he became Left Royal Secretary (左承旨); in July he became Governor of Jeolla Province (全羅道觀察使); and in October he became Vice Minister of Rites (禮曹參判).

In April 1499 (5th year of Yeonsan-gun), he went to Ming as envoy for the emperor's birthday (聖節使) and returned. In September he was sent out as Governor of Gyeongsang Province (慶尙道觀察使), and in June of the following year he resigned.

In 1501 (7th year of Yeonsan-gun), he served as Vice Minister of Personnel (吏曹參判). In June of the following year, by special appointment (特旨), he was sent out as Governor of Gyeonggi Province (京畿觀察使), and in November he presented proposals concerning famine relief.

In March 1503 (9th year of Yeonsan-gun), he was appointed Minister of Justice (刑曹判書). In April he concurrently held the posts of Director of the Hongmun Gwan (弘文館提學) and Acting Director of the Chunchugwan (知春秋館事).

In the autumn of the same year, he moved to become Minister of Personnel (吏曹判書), and additionally concurrently held the posts of Acting Director of the Office of Royal Justice (知義禁府事) and Chief Commander of the Office of the General Staff (都摠府都摠管). In 1505 (11th year of Yeonsan-gun), he was appointed Left Minister of Rites... more precisely Left Chancellor (左贊成), and continued to concurrently serve as Minister of Personnel.

In July of the following year, he was promoted to Right State Councillor (右議政)². In September he took part in the (中宗反正), was recorded among the Second-Class Meritorious Subjects of Jeongguk (靖國功臣), and was promoted to Left State Councillor (左議政). He was also enfeoffed as Lord Yeongga (永嘉府院君).