하연 河演
Chief State Councillor under Sejong and Munjong who compiled the clan's first genealogy; pen name Gyeongjae, posthumous title Munhyo
| Life | 1376 ~ 1453 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 진주 하씨 |
Life & career
Ha Yeon (1376-1453) was an early Joseon official whose ancestral seat is Jinju. His courtesy name was Yeollyang, pen names Gyeongjae and Sinheuiong, and posthumous title Munhyo. His father was Ha Ja-jong and his grandfather Ha Yun-won; he passed the civil examination in 1396.
Under Sejong he served as chief royal secretary, went to the Ming as vice-minister of rites in 1420, and as inspector-general in 1423 urged merging the Buddhist sects. From 1425, as governor of Gyeongsang Province, he is said to have compiled the Gyeongsangdo Jirigi. After serving as grand academician and minister, he became Chief State Councillor in 1449, succeeding Hwang Hui.
During Munjong's illness in 1451 (February to July) he acted as regent, which is credited with stabilizing the court and aiding the young Danjong's succession. After a memorial opposing the repair of Daejaam he left office the same year and died in 1453 at 78. In the preface to the first clan genealogy he compiled in 1451, the Gyeongtae-bo, he explained why Ha Jin was adopted as founder.
Career under Sejong
After passing the civil examination in 1396, Ha Yeon became chief royal secretary at Sejong's accession. He went to the Ming in 1420 and as inspector-general in 1423 argued for merging Buddhist sects and returning temple property to the state.
Governor of Gyeongsang Province
From 1425 as governor of Gyeongsang he is said to have compiled the Gyeongsangdo Jirigi. Jinyang Yeongo and Gyeongsangdo Yeongju Jemyeonggi are also counted among his main works.
Chief State Councillor and Regency
He became Chief State Councillor in 1449; sources differ on the exact start date. In 1451, with Munjong ill, he acted as regent, credited with aiding Danjong's succession. He left office after a memorial that year and died in 1453.
The Genealogy and Commemoration
He compiled the first genealogy, the Gyeongtae-bo, in 1451; it was lost in the Imjin War and only the preface survives. Baeksan Seowon in Muju, North Jeolla, enshrines portraits of him and his wife, Lady Seongsan Yi, and is a North Jeolla cultural heritage item. His father was Ha Ja-jong.
Grave
He is said to be buried near Soraesan in Incheon; Siheung's local heritage no. 3, the tomb of Ha Yeon, is listed. His portrait is enshrined at Baeksan Seowon in Muju, North Jeolla.
Descendants
He was a grandson of Ha Yun-won and son of Ha Ja-jong. Sons Ha Hyo-myeong, Ha Je-myeong and Ha U-myeong are recorded. Ha Wi-ji belongs to the same Sajik-gong branch.