Kim Su-on

Kim Su-on(金守溫, 1410 – 1481) was a civil official of Joseon. His family seat was Yeongdong (永同). His courtesy name was Munryang (文良). His pen names were Goeae (乖崖) and Sigu (拭疣). In 1471 (the 2nd year of King Seongjong), he was registered as a 4th-rank Meritorious Subject for Assisting in Governance (佐理功臣) and enfeoffed as Prince Yeongsan (永山府院君). In 1474 (the 5th year of King Seongjong), he rose to the position of Chief Royal Secretary of the Junghwa Office (中樞府領事). His posthumous name was Munpyeong (文平).

Life

In 1441 (the 23rd year of King Sejong), he passed the regular civil service examination and was ranked in the second tier.

Kim Su-on was the younger brother of the eminent monk Sinmi and was well versed in Buddhist scriptures, the Hundred Schools of Thought, and the Six Classics. He associated with Seong Samun, Sin Sukju, and I Seokhyeong, and he also enjoyed the favor of King Sejo. He promoted the regency of Queen Dowager Jaseong, Sejo's queen, and he was a loyal subject of Queen Jeonghui, who discussed affairs of state beside Queen Dowager Insu when she was absent.

He excelled at poetry and prose, and his exchange of verses with the Ming envoy, Hanlin scholar Chen Jian (陳鑑), using the "Hüijeong Rhapsody" (喜睛賦), became known even in Ming China. He took part in the compilation of the Chipyeong yoram and the Euibang yuchwi, the revision of the Seokgabo, and the translation of the Myeonghwang gyegam and the Diamond Sutra. He also wrote the inscription for the Wongaksa Stele inscription and participated in the Gugyeol (口訣) annotation of the Four Books and Five Classics. His surviving work is the Sikujip.¹