Yi Dan-ha

Yi Dan-ha (李端夏, 1625 ∼ 1689) was a civil official of Joseon. His courtesy name was Gyeju (季周), his art names were Oejae (畏齋) and Songgan (松磵), and his family seat was Deoksu (德水). He was the son of Yi Sik, also known as Taek-dang.

During the reign of Hyeonjong, he passed the civil service examination and served as Jeongeon (Corrector), Jipyeong (Justice), and Buchyeongyo (Vice Lecturer). He then went out to serve in the provinces as Magistrate of Yonganhyeon, and after serving as Heonna (Remonstrator) and Jipyeong, he served as Busuchan (Vice Compiler), Bukpyeongsa (Military Adviser of the Northern Pyeong), and Buhyeonyo (Vice Lecturer), then as Gyoli (Lecturer), Busuchan, and Gyeomsaseo (Concurrent Archivist). He served as Ijo Jeongrang (Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel), then Buhyeonyo, Gyoli, and again Buhyeonyo, followed by Geom Bodeok (Concurrent Vice Supervisor of Virtue) and Gyeommunhak (Concurrent Literary Scholar). He then served as Hongmungwan Gyoli (Lecturer of the Hongmungwan), then again as Heonna and Ijo Jeongrang, and once more as Heonna and Ijo Jeongrang. Following Gyoli and Heonna, he served as Buyoho (Vice Lecturer), Ijo Jeongrang, Busuchan, and Gangwan.

In 1669 he requested that the king establish the Hunryeon Byeoldae, a military unit, and had it put into operation. He also requested that pine needles be used to relieve the famine-stricken, and had them distributed to the poor outside the capital. After this he served as Eungyo (Vice Lecturer), Sagan (Director of Censors), and Jipyeong, followed by Geomsang (Inspector), Insa (Secretary), and Gyeom Bodeok. He then served as Dongbu Seungji (East Royal Secretary), Ubu Seungji (Right Royal Secretary), Jwabu Seungji (Left Royal Secretary), Ijo Chameui (Assistant Minister of Personnel), Byeongjo Chamji (Vice Chief Secretary of the Ministry of War), and Daesaseong (Chancellor of Sungkyunkwan). He again served as Ijo Chameui, Daesaseong, and Buje-hak (Vice Director of the Office of Special Advisers). When Sukjong ascended the throne, he served as Ijo Chameui, Daesaheon (Chief Censor), Jichunchugwansa (Concurrent Director of the Office of Royal Historiography), Daejehak (Chief Academician), Ijo Champ'an (Vice Minister of Personnel), and Dongji Jungchubusa (Associate Chief of the Central Military Office). During this time he was active as a leader of the Westerner faction, but was exiled, and he remained highly active as a Westerner even after the Gyeongsin Purge.

After the Gyeongsin Purge he was reappointed and became Governor of Gyeonggi Province. After serving as Gongjo Champ'an (Vice Minister of Works) and Dongji Gyeongyeonsa (Associate Chief of the Royal Lecture Office), he served as Hyeongjo Pangseo (Minister of Justice), Daesaheon, Yejo Pangseo (Minister of Rites), and Hongmungwan Jehak (Chief Academician of the Hongmungwan). He then served as Jidonnyeongbusa (Concurrent Chief of the Royal In-law Office) and Dongji Gyeongyeonsa, followed by Ijo Pangseo (Minister of Personnel), Jwa Chamchan (Left State Councilor), and Daesaheon. He served as Jigyeongyeonsa (Chief of the Royal Lecture Office) and Jinhyul Jeran (Chief Commissioner of Famine Relief). Afterward, through Daesaheon and Jwa Chamchan, he became Yejo Pangseo in 1684, compiled the <Sachang Jeolmok> (Regulations on Community Granaries), and presented it to Sukjong. He also took part in revising and compiling the <Veritable Records of Hyeonjong>. After this he served asU Chamchan (Right State Councilor) and Jwa Chamchan, then became Yejo Pangseo again, then Jijungchubusa, and eventually reached Uuijeong (Right State Minister) and then Jwauijeong (Left State Minister).