하륜 河崙
Early Joseon scholar-official who aided Taejong in the Princes' Strife and rose to Chief State Councillor; pen name Hojeong, posthumous title Munchung
| Life | 1347 ~ 1416 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 진주 하씨 |
Life & career
Ha Ryun (1347-1416) was a late Goryeo to early Joseon scholar-official whose ancestral seat is Jinju; his courtesy name was Daerim (or Jungnim), pen name Hojeong, and posthumous title Munchung. His father was Ha Yun-rin, and he studied under Yi Saek. He passed the civil examination in 1365 and was close to the powerful Yi In-im, but was exiled in 1388 for opposing the Liaodong campaign.
After Goryeo fell he took part in Yi Seong-gye's founding of Joseon. When the Ming rebuked the court in 1393 over a memorial drafted by Jeong Do-jeon, he went to the Ming himself and settled the matter. In the debate over moving the capital he argued for Muak, which was not adopted. He helped Yi Bang-won in the Princes' Strife of 1398 and 1400 and was named a first-class Jwamyeong merit subject after Taejong's accession.
Under Taejong he served as Right, Left and Chief State Councillor and was involved in strengthening royal authority and institutions, including direct six-ministry reporting, paper currency, the petition drum and the identity tag system. He retired in 1416 and was made Lord Jinsan, but died at Jeongpyeong in Hamgyeong while on a royal errand to inspect royal ancestral tombs. His works include Hojeongjip and Samguk Saryak. Accounts also note criticism over personnel solicitations and reclaimed land.
Late Goryeo Career and Exile
After passing the civil examination in 1365 he built his career close to Yi In-im while also mixing with the new Neo-Confucian officials. He was exiled in 1388 for opposing the Liaodong campaign.
Founding of Joseon and Diplomacy
After joining the new dynasty, he went to the Ming in 1393 to resolve the dispute over the memorial text. In the capital-relocation debate he argued for Muak, which was not adopted.
The Princes' Strife and Taejong's Reign
He aided Yi Bang-won in 1398 and 1400 and became a first-class merit subject once Taejong took the throne. As Left and Chief State Councillor he was involved in reforms such as direct six-ministry reporting and the identity tag system, and Taejong trusted him greatly.
Final Years and Assessment
He retired in 1416 as Lord Jinsan and died at Jeongpyeong while on a royal errand to Hamgyeong. He criticized Buddhism on Neo-Confucian grounds and left Hojeongjip and Samguk Saryak. Critical assessments of scheming and self-interest are also recorded. His ancestor was Ha Gong-jin.
Grave
The exact tomb location was not confirmed here. A stone marker for his birthplace stands inside Jinju Fortress.
Descendants
He descends from Ha Gong-jin and belongs to the Sirang-gong branch. Ha Gyeong-bok is described as his seventh-degree nephew.