Early Joseon official, Minister of Punishments and Zwari merit subject, Second Councillor; courtesy name Munmyeong, pen name Songdam, posthumous title Pyeongyang
| Life | 1408 ~ 1479 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 강릉 함씨 |
Ham U-chi (咸禹治, 1408-1479) was an early Joseon official of the Gangneung clan, with courtesy name Munmyeong, pen name Songdam and posthumous title Pyeongyang. His father was the founding merit subject Ham Bu-rim. He entered office by hereditary privilege (eumseo) as an inspector in the Office of the Inspector-General and then served as magistrate of Gobu, deputy of the Armory and governor of Naju.
Under Sejo and Seongjong he alternated between central and provincial posts. He became Panesabokssi-sa in 1451, Cheomji of the Privy Council and a royal secretary in 1453, and magistrate of Gongju in 1455, rising to Gaseon-daebu in 1456. After serving as governor of Hamgil in 1457 and Inspector-General in 1459, he became a deputy at the Privy Council and also governed Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang and was keeper of Gaeseong. He was vice-minister of punishments in 1465, was enfeoffed as Lord Dongwon in 1466 and received the rank of Jeongheon-daebu in 1467.
He became Minister of Punishments in 1470, the year Seongjong took the throne, was recorded as a Zwari merit subject in 1471 and served as Right and then Left Second Councillor. In 1473 he resigned citing illness and was given the titles Lord Dongwon and Bongjoha. He died on the 29th day of the fifth month of 1479. The Veritable Records of Seongjong judge him honest and plain, not given to building wealth, known as an incorruptible official, careful and clear in handling affairs and leaving good records wherever he served.
Starting through hereditary appointment, he served as Panesabokssi-sa (1451) under Munjong, royal secretary (1453) under Danjong, and under Sejo as magistrate of Gongju (1455), governor of Hamgil (1457) and Inspector-General (1459), then vice-minister of punishments (1465) and Minister of Punishments (1470). Terms as governor of Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang and keeper of Gaeseong are also recorded without firm dates.
He was recorded as a Zwari merit subject in 1471 and, on resigning through illness in 1473, received the titles Lord Dongwon and Bongjoha, an honorary post for retired senior officials.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed.
Wikipedia names no family members other than his father Ham Bu-rim, so his children and descendants were not confirmed.