Yi Cheon-bo

Yi Cheon-bo (李天輔, 1698 – 1761) was a scholar-official and politician of Late Joseon. His clan seat was Yeonan, his courtesy name was Uisuk (宜叔), his art name was Jin'am (晉庵), and his posthumous name was Mungan (文簡). He was a direct descendant of Yi Jeong-gwi (Wolsa). His great-grandfather was Yi Il-sang, who served as a senior official of the Office of Military Affairs, and he was the son of Yi Ju-sin (李舟臣), who served as magistrate of Okcheon County. He was the maternal grandson of Kim Man-gi, Prince Consort Gwangseong, and a nephew of Queen Inwon, consort of King Sukjong. He devoted himself to literature and was renowned in his time.

Life

He passed the Saengwon examination and served as an instructor in the Naesi office. In 1739 (the 15th year of King Yeongjo's reign), he passed the special Alseong civil service examination and was ranked second class. In 1740 he became a junior secretary of the Hongmungwan and served in remonstrance posts such as lecturer, remonstrator, and censor. In 1749 he rose to Vice Minister of Personnel. He then served as Minister of Personnel and Minister of War, and in 1752 he was promoted to Right State Minister. In the same year he became Left State Minister and was then appointed Chief State Minister.

Afterward, citing illness, he declined further office, and through King Yeongjo's consideration he was appointed Senior Adviser to the Royal Secretariat (Yeongjungchubusa). The entry for the 5th day of the 1st month of 1761 in the Annals of King Yeongjo records that Yi Cheon-bo retired from the post of Chief State Minister and died of illness.¹ However, in the section of the Annals of Gojong dealing with the restoration of Crown Prince Jangheon and the posthumous elevation of him as King Jang, in the 36th year of Gojong's reign (1899), it is stated that Yi Cheon-bo, followed by Min Baek-sang, died by a chain of suicides.² Thus, the records of the Annals admit both death from illness and suicide, which is a passage that gives rise to controversy. At present, it is generally held that in the first month of 1761, taking responsibility for the Pyongyang Wonyu Incident involving Crown Prince Jangheon, he, together with Left State Minister and Right State Minister , committed suicide by poisoning. It is said that King Yeongjo was moved by the loyalty of the three men and chose not to pursue the matter of the crown prince's Wonyu incident.