Sim Deok-bu (沈德符, 1328 – 1401) was a civil and military official and meritorious subject of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. Under Goryeo he served as Commander-in-Chief of Seogyeong, Pansamsa, and Munha sijung; under Joseon he served as Panmunhabusa, Yeongsamsa, and Left Chief State Counci
Born~Died 1328 ~ 1401Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM
Song Yu-chung (father-in-law), Mun Pil-dae (father-in-law), Sim Won-bu (younger brother), Taejo Yi Seong-gye (co-in-law), Wang U (co-in-law), An Cheon-bo (co-in-law), Sin A (co-in-law), Kim Nam-il (co-in-law), Lady Sin of Dongyang (daughter-in-law), Princess Gyeongseon (daughter-in-law), Sim Ho (grandson), Sim Gu (grandson), Sim Yeon (grandson), Sim Gi (grandson), Sim Seok-jun (grandson), Sim Jun (grandson), Sim Hoe (grandson), [[Sim Gyeol]
Sim Deok-bu (沈德符, 1328 – 1401) was a civil and military official and meritorious subject of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. Under Goryeo he served as Commander-in-Chief of Seogyeong, Pansamsa, and Munha sijung; under Joseon he served as Panmunhabusa, Yeongsamsa, and Left Chief State Councillor of the Privy Council concurrently serving as Acting Regent.
His courtesy name was Deukji (得之), and his pen names were Nodang (蘆堂) and Heogang (虛江). His posthumous name was Jeongan (定安), he was of the Cheongsong clan of origin, and his title was Count Cheongseong (靑城伯).2
By contrast, his younger brother Sim Won-bu, Lord Akeun (岳隱), was a disciple of Yi Je-hyeon of Ikjae and followed the path of the emerging Confucian literati. When Goryeo fell, he sided with Jeong Mong-ju, entered Dumundong, and kept his integrity, becoming one of the Dumundong 72 Worthies and the Five Hidden Scholars of Goryeo. Sim Won-bu's third son, Sim Cheon-sik, was also a disciple of Jeong Mong-ju, known as Poeun.
Genealogy
He was the eldest son of Cheonghwa Prince Sim Yong (靑華府院君 沈龍), posthumously granted the title of Munha sijung, and was the grandfather of Queen Soheon and the father of Sim On (沈溫), Chief State Councillor and Cheongcheon Prince (靑川府院君), who was the father-in-law of . He was also the father of (沈淙), Cheongwon Prince (靑原君) and son-in-law of . He was further the father of (沈泟), who was the son-in-law of (王瑀), Prince Jeongyang (定陽府院君) and elder brother of , the last king of Goryeo. (撫安大君 方蕃), a son of , was also a son-in-law of Wang U, Prince Jeongyang, so he became a double in-law relation with Taejo Yi Seong-gye.
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His younger brother Yi (岳隱) Sim Won-bu (沈元符) was a Jeonli Panseo of Goryeo and, together with Mogeun Yi Saek, Poeun Jeong Mong-ju, Yaeun Gil Jae, and Nongeun Min An-bu, was known as the Five Hidden Scholars of Goryeo, loyal subjects of Goryeo. He was one of the Dumundong 72 Worthies and left the testamentary instruction Seonhun Bulsa (先訓不仕), asking his descendants never to serve in Joseon, and entered Dumundong as a loyal subject of Goryeo.
Family Relations
Grandfather: Sim Yeon (沈淵), Hapmun Jihu of Goryeo
Father: Sim Yong (沈龍), Jeonli Jeongrang of Goryeo, posthumously Munha sijung, Cheonghwa Prince (靑華府院君)
Daughter-in-law: Lady Sin of Dongyang (東陽郡夫人 申氏), daughter of Sin A (申雅), Dongji Milji Sasa
Grandson: Sim Ho (沈灝), Magistrate of Pyeongsan
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Woo Gyeong-ji (禹敬之), son of Woo Hui-yeol (禹希烈), Panseo, Saheonbu Gamchal, Danyang Woo clan
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Sim Sil (沈實), son of Sim Gui-ryeong (沈龜齡), Prince Pungcheon, Jeongyang Gong, Dogaejeje of the Uiheung Three Armies Headquarters, Magistrate, Pungsan Sim clan
Second son: Sim Ui-gwi (沈義龜)
Daughter-in-law: Sangju Kim clan, daughter of Kim Nam-il (金南釰), Panseo
Grandson: Sim Gu (沈溝), Ijo Jwarang
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Yeo Gye (呂稽), son of Yeo Cheong (呂稱), Hyeongjo Panseo, Jiuijeongbusa, Jeongpyeong Gong, Jwarang, Hamyang Yeo clan
Third son: Sim Do-saeng (沈道生), original name Sim Gye-nyeon (沈繼年), Magistrate of Seongju
Daughter-in-law: Gangjin Choi clan
Grandson: Sim Yeon (沈涓), Saheonbu Gamchal, posthumously Ijo ChamPan, ancestor 17th generation of Sim Sang-myeong (沈相明, Chief Prosecutor, Chairman of the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, Minister of Justice)
Granddaughter's husband: Sejong, the 4th king of Joseon
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Kang Seok-deok (姜碩德), son of Kang Hoe-baek (姜淮伯), Jeongdang Munhak, elder brother of Kang Hoe-gye (姜淮季), Prince Jinwon, son-in-law of King Gongyang, the last king of Goryeo; Jidonnyeongbusa, Prince Jinyang (晋陽府院君), posthumous name Daemin Gong (戴敏公), Jinju Kang clan; father of Kang Hui-an, Hwanghae Province Governor, and Kang Hui-maeng, Jwachanseong, brothers; grandfather of Kang Gwi-son, Uijeongbu Chief State Councillor
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: No Mul-jae (盧物栽), son of No Han (盧閈), Uijeongbu Chief State Councillor, posthumous name Gongsukgong, Dongji Donyeongbusa, Gyoha No clan; father of Ro Sa-sin, Chief State Councillor, and direct ancestor of Roh Tae-woo, the 13th President of the Republic of Korea
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Yu Ja-hae (柳子偕), Buji Donyeongbusa, Jinchen-gun (晋川君), Jinju Yu clan, grandfather of Yu Sun-jeong, Chief State Councillor and 1st-class meritorious subject of the Jungjong Restoration
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Yi Sung-ji (李崇之), Jungchuchubusa, Jeon-ui Yi clan
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Bak Geo-so (朴去疎), Jidonnyeongbusa, Suncheon Bak clan, grandfather of Park Won-jong, Chief State Councillor and 1st-class meritorious subject of the
Career
In 1338, at the end of the reign of King Chungsuk of Goryeo, he entered public service through hereditary privilege (eumbo/eumseo), became Jwawiok Nokssa and Chamgun, and after passing through various offices, under King U of Goryeo he rose to Milji-sa. After returning from Ming China as a Jeongjosa (envoy to the Ming court), in 1380, when he became Jiumunbusa, Japanese pirates invaded Jinpo. He became Dowonsu (Commander-in-Chief) and was the first to use the firearms invented by Choe Mu-seon, achieving great merit in defending against Japanese pirates. This naval battle is the Battle of Jinpo.23 Then, in 1385, as Munha chanseongsa, concurrently serving as Sangwonsu of the Dongbuk Myeon, together with Yi Seong-gye, he achieved great merit in subduing Japanese pirates who had invaded the Dongbuk Myeon. In that year's winter, after returning from the Ming court as a Hajeongsa (envoy for New Year's congratulations), he was enfeoffed as Cheongseong Buwon-gun (靑城府院君). In 1388, as Commander-in-Chief of Seogyeong (西京都元帥, third in rank of the Liaodong Campaign Army), together with Jwagun Dotongsa Jo Min-su (first in rank of the Liaodong Campaign Army) and Woogun Dotongsa Yi Seong-gye (second in rank), he took part in the Wihwado Retreat, then deposed King U and established King Chang of Goryeo. Under King Chang, he was registered as a second-class meritorious subject of the Wihwado Retreat, became Samsa Pansa, and, together with Yi Seong-gye, Jeong Mong-ju, Ji Yong-gi, Seol Jang-su, Seong Seok-rin, Jo Jun, Park Wi, and Jeong Do-jeon, deposed King Chang and established King Gongyang. Under King Gongyang, as one of the Jungheung Nine Meritorious Subjects, he was registered as a meritorious subject of the Samhan Byeoksang, became Munha sijung, and was enfeoffed as Cheongseong-gun Chungui-baek (靑城郡忠義伯).4 In 1391, together with Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Mong-ju, he was registered as a meritorious subject of Ansa. In 1392, after the founding of Joseon, as a founding meritorious subject of Joseon, he was registered as a first-class meritorious subject of the Wihwado Retreat and enfeoffed as Count Cheongseong (靑城伯). Count Cheongseong was also sometimes called Cheongseong Buwon-gun (靑城府院君).5 In 1394, he became Panssa and Sujang Dogam Jejo of the Sinto Gungwol Jeongseong Dogam (Office for the Construction of the New Palace), and within one year, he completed the city walls of the capital Hanyang, the palaces including Gyeongbokgung, and Jongmyo. In 1397 he became Panmunhabusa, in 1398 Yeongsamsa, and in 1399 Jwajeongseung.2
Jangsugundo
The record painting Jangsugundo, depicting Yi Seong-gye, Sim Deok-bu, and Yi Ji-ran, who swore brotherhood and resolved the retreat shortly before the Wihwado Retreat, was newly discovered.6
The tomb of Count Cheongseong Sim Deok-bu is located at 553 Ami-ri, Misan-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province (39-1 Sungui Shrine-ro, Misan-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi), and is designated as Yeoncheon County Local Cultural Heritage No. 29.7
Sim Deok-bu (沈德符, 1328 – 1401) was a civil and military official and meritorious subject of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. Under Goryeo he served as Commander-in-Chief of Seogyeong, Pansamsa, and Munha sijung; under Joseon he served as Panmunhabusa, Yeongsamsa, and Left Chief State Councillor of the Privy Council concurrently serving as Acting Regent.
His courtesy name was Deukji (得之), and his pen names were Nodang (蘆堂) and Heogang (虛江). His posthumous name was Jeongan (定安), he was of the Cheongsong clan of origin, and his title was Count Cheongseong (靑城伯).2
By contrast, his younger brother Sim Won-bu, Lord Akeun (岳隱), was a disciple of Yi Je-hyeon of Ikjae and followed the path of the emerging Confucian literati. When Goryeo fell, he sided with Jeong Mong-ju, entered Dumundong, and kept his integrity, becoming one of the Dumundong 72 Worthies and the Five Hidden Scholars of Goryeo. Sim Won-bu's third son, Sim Cheon-sik, was also a disciple of Jeong Mong-ju, known as Poeun.
Genealogy
He was the eldest son of Cheonghwa Prince Sim Yong (靑華府院君 沈龍), posthumously granted the title of Munha sijung, and was the grandfather of Queen Soheon and the father of (沈溫), and Cheongcheon Prince (靑川府院君), who was the father-in-law of . He was also the father of (沈淙), Cheongwon Prince (靑原君) and son-in-law of . He was further the father of (沈泟), who was the son-in-law of (王瑀), Prince Jeongyang (定陽府院君) and elder brother of , the last king of Goryeo. (撫安大君 方蕃), a son of , was also a son-in-law of Wang U, Prince Jeongyang, so he became a double in-law relation with Taejo Yi Seong-gye.
Daughter-in-law: Gaeseong Wang clan, daughter of Wang U (王瑀, elder brother of King Gongyang, the last king of Goryeo, 7th descendant of King Shinjong of Goryeo, Yeongmunhabusa)
His younger brother Yi (岳隱) Sim Won-bu (沈元符) was a Jeonli Panseo of Goryeo and, together with Mogeun Yi Saek, Poeun Jeong Mong-ju, Yaeun Gil Jae, and Nongeun Min An-bu, was known as the Five Hidden Scholars of Goryeo, loyal subjects of Goryeo. He was one of the Dumundong 72 Worthies and left the testamentary instruction Seonhun Bulsa (先訓不仕), asking his descendants never to serve in Joseon, and entered Dumundong as a loyal subject of Goryeo.
Family Relations
Grandfather: Sim Yeon (沈淵), Hapmun Jihu of Goryeo
Father: Sim Yong (沈龍), Jeonli Jeongrang of Goryeo, posthumously Munha sijung, Cheonghwa Prince (靑華府院君)
Daughter-in-law: Lady Sin of Dongyang (東陽郡夫人 申氏), daughter of Sin A (申雅), Dongji Milji Sasa
Grandson: Sim Ho (沈灝), Magistrate of Pyeongsan
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Woo Gyeong-ji (禹敬之), son of Woo Hui-yeol (禹希烈), Panseo, Saheonbu Gamchal, Danyang Woo clan
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Sim Sil (沈實), son of Sim Gui-ryeong (沈龜齡), Prince Pungcheon, Jeongyang Gong, Dogaejeje of the Uiheung Three Armies Headquarters, Magistrate, Pungsan Sim clan
Second son: Sim Ui-gwi (沈義龜)
Daughter-in-law: Sangju Kim clan, daughter of Kim Nam-il (金南釰), Panseo
Grandson: Sim Gu (沈溝), Ijo Jwarang
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Yeo Gye (呂稽), son of Yeo Cheong (呂稱), Hyeongjo Panseo, Jiuijeongbusa, Jeongpyeong Gong, Jwarang, Hamyang Yeo clan
Third son: Sim Do-saeng (沈道生), original name Sim Gye-nyeon (沈繼年), Magistrate of Seongju
Daughter-in-law: Gangjin Choi clan
Grandson: Sim Yeon (沈涓), Saheonbu Gamchal, posthumously Ijo ChamPan, ancestor 17th generation of Sim Sang-myeong (沈相明, Chief Prosecutor, Chairman of the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, Minister of Justice)
Granddaughter's husband: Sejong, the 4th king of Joseon
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Kang Seok-deok (姜碩德), son of Kang Hoe-baek (姜淮伯), Jeongdang Munhak, elder brother of Kang Hoe-gye (姜淮季), Prince Jinwon, son-in-law of King Gongyang, the last king of Goryeo; Jidonnyeongbusa, Prince Jinyang (晋陽府院君), posthumous name Daemin Gong (戴敏公), Jinju Kang clan; father of Kang Hui-an, Hwanghae Province Governor, and Kang Hui-maeng, Jwachanseong, brothers; grandfather of Kang Gwi-son, Uijeongbu Chief State Councillor
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: No Mul-jae (盧物栽), son of No Han (盧閈), Uijeongbu Chief State Councillor, posthumous name Gongsukgong, Dongji Donyeongbusa, Gyoha No clan; father of Ro Sa-sin, Chief State Councillor, and direct ancestor of Roh Tae-woo, the 13th President of the Republic of Korea
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Yu Ja-hae (柳子偕), Buji Donyeongbusa, Jinchen-gun (晋川君), Jinju Yu clan, grandfather of Yu Sun-jeong, Chief State Councillor and 1st-class meritorious subject of the Jungjong Restoration
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Yi Sung-ji (李崇之), Jungchuchubusa, Jeon-ui Yi clan
Granddaughter: Cheongsong Sim clan
Granddaughter's husband: Bak Geo-so (朴去疎), Jidonnyeongbusa, Suncheon Bak clan, grandfather of , Chief State Councillor and 1st-class meritorious subject of the
Career
In 1338, at the end of the reign of King Chungsuk of Goryeo, he entered public service through hereditary privilege (eumbo/eumseo), became Jwawiok Nokssa and Chamgun, and after passing through various offices, under King U of Goryeo he rose to Milji-sa. After returning from Ming China as a Jeongjosa (envoy to the Ming court), in 1380, when he became Jiumunbusa, Japanese pirates invaded Jinpo. He became Dowonsu (Commander-in-Chief) and was the first to use the firearms invented by Choe Mu-seon, achieving great merit in defending against Japanese pirates. This naval battle is the Battle of Jinpo.23 Then, in 1385, as Munha chanseongsa, concurrently serving as Sangwonsu of the Dongbuk Myeon, together with Yi Seong-gye, he achieved great merit in subduing Japanese pirates who had invaded the Dongbuk Myeon. In that year's winter, after returning from the Ming court as a Hajeongsa (envoy for New Year's congratulations), he was enfeoffed as Cheongseong Buwon-gun (靑城府院君). In 1388, as Commander-in-Chief of Seogyeong (西京都元帥, third in rank of the Liaodong Campaign Army), together with Jwagun Dotongsa Jo Min-su (first in rank of the Liaodong Campaign Army) and Woogun Dotongsa Yi Seong-gye (second in rank), he took part in the Wihwado Retreat, then deposed King U and established King Chang of Goryeo. Under King Chang, he was registered as a second-class meritorious subject of the Wihwado Retreat, became Samsa Pansa, and, together with Yi Seong-gye, Jeong Mong-ju, Ji Yong-gi, Seol Jang-su, Seong Seok-rin, Jo Jun, Park Wi, and Jeong Do-jeon, deposed King Chang and established King Gongyang. Under King Gongyang, as one of the Jungheung Nine Meritorious Subjects, he was registered as a meritorious subject of the Samhan Byeoksang, became Munha sijung, and was enfeoffed as Cheongseong-gun Chungui-baek (靑城郡忠義伯).4 In 1391, together with Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Mong-ju, he was registered as a meritorious subject of Ansa. In 1392, after the founding of Joseon, as a founding meritorious subject of Joseon, he was registered as a first-class meritorious subject of the Wihwado Retreat and enfeoffed as Count Cheongseong (靑城伯). Count Cheongseong was also sometimes called Cheongseong Buwon-gun (靑城府院君).5 In 1394, he became Panssa and Sujang Dogam Jejo of the Sinto Gungwol Jeongseong Dogam (Office for the Construction of the New Palace), and within one year, he completed the city walls of the capital Hanyang, the palaces including Gyeongbokgung, and Jongmyo. In 1397 he became Panmunhabusa, in 1398 Yeongsamsa, and in 1399 Jwajeongseung.2
Jangsugundo
The record painting Jangsugundo, depicting Yi Seong-gye, Sim Deok-bu, and Yi Ji-ran, who swore brotherhood and resolved the retreat shortly before the Wihwado Retreat, was newly discovered.6
The tomb of Count Cheongseong Sim Deok-bu is located at 553 Ami-ri, Misan-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province (39-1 Sungui Shrine-ro, Misan-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi), and is designated as Yeoncheon County Local Cultural Heritage No. 29.7
Daughter-in-law: Gaeseong Wang clan, daughter of Wang U (王瑀, elder brother of King Gongyang, the last king of Goryeo, 7th descendant of King Shinjong of Goryeo, Yeongmunhabusa)