A grandson of Yi Heon-wi, who had served as a minister under King Heonjong, Yi Yong-won passed a special civil examination in 1875 and went on to hold senior posts including Minister of Personnel (1882), Minister of Justice (1883), and Inspector-General and Censor-General (1889). He died in 1911; his baron title passed to his grandson Yi Won-ho, who is likewise listed in the roster of pro-Japanese collaborators.