Late-Goryeo civil official who rose to Munha Sirang Pyeongjangsa; honored as the founder of the Jeonju Kim clan
| Life | 1257 |
| Era | 고려 후기 |
| Clan | 전주 김씨 |
Kim Tae-seo (金台瑞, died 1257) was a late-Goryeo civil official, a son of Kim Bong-mo, Munha Sirang Pyeongjangsa, and was given the posthumous title Munjang. He is recorded as a native of Gyeongju whose line came from the Silla royal house, said to descend from King Gyeongsun. His father Kim Bong-mo was fluent in Jurchen and Chinese and is said to have received envoys from the Jin dynasty.
After passing the examination he served five kings from Myeongjong to Gojong. In 1232 (19th year of Gojong), as Hallim Academician, he served as co-examiner and passed 31 candidates including Mun Jin. He rose to Sutaebo Munha Sirang Pyeongjangsa and retired citing age. He was later implicated in the case of Oh Seung-jeok, his house was confiscated, and he died in 1257.
His sons include Kim Gyeong-son and his elder brothers Kim Yak-seon and Kim Gi-son. The great genealogy of the Jeonju Kim honors him as founder, but other sources name Kim Bong-mo or Kim Ye instead, so records differ.
Sources differ on who founded the Jeonju Kim. The 1887 Gimssi Bungwanrok takes Kim Bong-mo as founder; the Jeungbo Munheon Bigo and the Joseon Ssijok Tongbo record Kim Ye; and the great genealogy of the clan honors Kim Tae-seo. One tradition makes the line descend from Kim Eun-yeol, Prince Daeangun and a son of King Gyeongsun, but Kim Eun-yeol is not attested in standard histories and the authenticity of the epitaph stone is disputed.
This page records the differences as they are and does not decide among them. Please check your own family genealogy.
Said to lie on Moaksan in Gui-myeon, Wanju, but this is unconfirmed.
Sons recorded include Kim Yak-seon (son-in-law of Choe U and father-in-law of King Wonjong), Kim Gi-son and Kim Gyeong-son. Kim Yak-seon's daughter became Queen Sungyeong, mother of King Chungnyeol. See also the Jeonju Kim clan page.