Goryeo Chancellor under Sukjong and grandson of Choe Chung (posthumous title Chunggyeong)
| Life | 1036 ~ 1115 |
| Era | 고려 |
| Clan | 해주 최씨 |
Choe Sa-chu (1036-1115) was a mid-Goryeo civil official of the Haeju clan, first named Sa-sun, with courtesy name Gaeon and posthumous title Chunggyeong. He was a grandson of Choe Chung and son of Sangseoryeong Choe Yu-gil.
He passed the examination in 1063 and became a naesi. Under Seonjong he served as Deputy Governor of the Western Capital, Eosa daebu and Dongji jungchuwonsa, and under Heonjong as Minister of Personnel. After Sukjong's accession he rose through Chamjijeongsa and Jungseo sirang pyeongjangsa to Sutaewi panibusa in 1103, and that year was made Chancellor and given the title Bojeong gongsin for exposing military officers plotting a revolt.
In 1104 he was allowed to retire on grounds of age, and under Yejong he was honorably retired as Sutaesa Jungseoryeong. He was praised as having few faults and being incorruptible over more than forty years in office, and was enshrined in Sukjong's ancestral hall. After the daughter of his son-in-law Yi Ja-gyeom became Yejong's queen and bore the crown prince, he is said to have received additional fief income.
After passing the examination in 1063 he began as a naesi and, across the reigns of Seonjong, Heonjong and Sukjong, rose to Chamjijeongsa, Jungseo sirang pyeongjangsa and Sutaewi panibusa.
In 1103 he investigated and punished the plot of Go Mun-gae, Jang Hong-jeom and others, for which he became Chancellor and received the title Bojeong gongsin. He is also said to have obtained papers of the Liao envoy Wang Jeong and reported to the king that Liao's military preparations were lacking.
His grandfather was Choe Chung, his father Choe Yu-gil and his mother of the Chungju Bak clan. His wife was of the Incheon Yi clan, and the daughter of his son-in-law Yi Ja-gyeom became Yejong's queen. Namuwiki adds that the mother of Queen Mother Mungyeong, mother of Injong, was also his daughter. Song Yeom, Mun Gong-in and Yu In-jeo are also recorded as sons-in-law.
Sons Choe Won (Sangseo ubogya) and Choe Jin (Munha sirang pyeongjangsa); sons-in-law include Song Yeom, Yi Ja-gyeom, Mun Gong-in and Yu In-jeo (whether this Mun Gong-in is the Nampyeong Mun figure was not confirmed).