Yun Sa-yun

Yun Sa-yun (尹士昀, 1409¹ – 7 December 1461) was a civil official of the early Joseon period. His family seat was Pap'yŏng (坡平). He was the second son of Yun Beon (尹璠) and the father of Yun Bo (尹甫).

Life

While serving as Deputy Corrector (副司正), he passed the royal examination (親試) in 1436 (the 18th year of King Sejong's reign) with the highest honors in the second rank as jangwon of the Mungwa civil service examination. There is room for debate regarding his success in the examination. However, although he did not reach office through a fair process, it is said that he later took up official posts and served the state conscientiously.

After holding several posts, he became Right Remonstrator (右正言) of the Office of Remonstrance in 1438, and after passing through posts such as Left Remonstrator (左獻納) of the Office of Remonstrance in 1442 and several other offices of remonstrance, he served as Jangnyeong (掌令) of the Office of the Inspector-General in 1446.²

During the Gyeyu Rebellion of 1453, he assisted his brother-in-law Grand Prince Suyang, and for this merit he was registered as a Second-Class Meritorious Subject for Pacifying the Disorder (靖亂功臣). In 1454 he held the posts of Vice Minister of Remonstrance (右司諫大夫) and Chief Secretary of the Central Institute (僉知中樞院事).³

In June 1455, for his cooperation in helping Grand Prince Suyang ascend the throne, he was registered as a Third-Class Meritorious Subject for Assisting the Kingship (佐翼功臣). He was then promoted to Vice Minister of Justice (刑曹參議) with the rank of Grand Master for Proper Conduct (通政大夫), later served as Chief Academician of the Office of Special Advisors (藝文館提學), and was enfeoffed as Lord of P'aesŏng (坡城君).

Afterwards, he was appointed Grand Academician of the Hall of Literature (寶文館大提學) and was again enfeoffed as Lord of Yŏngp'yŏng (鈴平君). In 1458 he became Vice Minister of Public Works (工曹參判), and in 1459 he passed through the post of of the and then served as of the . His final post was Minister of Public Works with the rank of Chief Grand Master for Proper Conduct (正憲大夫). It is said that he generally avoided extravagance and lived a frugal life, and that in the end he accumulated considerable wealth and became a very rich man.