Early Joseon official who served as remonstrator and Vice Minister of War and was named a Jwaik wonjong merit subject after Sejo's accession; founder of the Ijochamgong sub-branch
| Life | 1456 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 초계 변씨 |
Byeon Hyo-gyeong (卞孝敬, ?-1456) was an early Joseon civil official of the Chogye Byeon. A son of the mayor Byeon Nam-ryong and younger brother of Byeon Hyo-mun, his mother came from the Paju Yeom. His birth year is not recorded.
He passed an examination in 1419 (Sejong 1): the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture and the clan's list of successful candidates record it as the sama (jinsa) examination, while Korean Wikipedia gives a special civil examination, so accounts differ. In 1425, as a recorder, he was jailed by the Uigeumbu for reckless words; he served as an inspector for a thanksgiving mission in 1440 and as head of the Office of Diplomatic Documents in 1443. As Left and Right Remonstrator in 1445-1446 he is said to have petitioned on tax law and fortress building, urging care for the people's livelihood.
After becoming Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council in 1447 and Vice Minister of War in 1451, he went to Ming China in 1453 as deputy envoy for the New Year mission. He became magistrate of Yeongheung in 1455, and when Sejo took the throne he was named a Jwaik wonjong merit subject. He died in 1456, and Sejo is said to have sent condolences and funeral gifts. His descendants honor him as founder of the Ijochamgong sub-branch.
His line runs from his great-grandfather Byeon Gyeong and grandfather Byeon Bin to his father Byeon Nam-ryong; his elder brother was Byeon Hyo-mun. His wife is recorded as of the Yeosan Song (daughter of Song Ryeom), and a son named Byeon Gang is noted.
He served as Left Remonstrator in 1445 and Right Remonstrator in 1446, petitioning on tax law and fortress building. Remonstrators advised the king, and his memorials are described as urging attention to the people's livelihood and burdens.
In 1443, as head of the Office of Diplomatic Documents, he brought back an imperial edict from the Ming emperor, and in 1453 he went to Ming again as deputy envoy of the New Year mission. After Sejo's accession in 1455 he was named a Jwaik wonjong merit subject.
The head association lists a spirit-way stele of Byeon Hyo-gyeong; the location of his tomb was not confirmed here.
Korean Wikipedia lists a son named Byeon Gang. His elder brother was Byeon Hyo-mun.