Early-Joseon officer who held northern posts such as Gyeongseong, Gangye and Uiju under King Sejong
| Life | 1363 ~ 1437 |
| Era | 고려 말·조선 초 |
| Clan | 충주 지씨 |
Ji Yu-yong (1363-1437) was an officer born in late Goryeo who served into King Sejong's reign. Of the Chungju clan, he was the son of Ji Yong-gi, Lord Chungwon, and a lady of the Icheon Seo clan. He entered office through hereditary privilege and served as magistrate of Gyeongseong and Uiju, among other posts.
In 1407 (Taejong 7), as an officer of the Office of Provisions, he went to Beijing in the party when the crown prince Grand Prince Yangnyeong travelled to the Ming for the New Year. In 1426 King Sejong urged him, as he left to become magistrate of Yeonggang, to see that grain loans in Hwanghae were handled so that farmers would not lose the farming season. In 1429 he went to Beijing as presenter of hawks, and in 1432 as magistrate of Gyeongseong he petitioned for troop and horse deployment at Gyeongwon and reduced tribute, which was carried out.
He then served as commander at Gangye, magistrate of Gangye and magistrate of Uiju, and when he died on 16 January 1437 King Sejong sent funeral gifts. A record says that when Hwang Hui and Gwon Jin recommended him as commissioner of Gyeongseong, Sejong replied that he had also heard he was capable.
In 1426 (Sejong 8), as Ji Yu-yong left to serve as magistrate of Yeonggang in Hwanghae, King Sejong urged him to announce grain loans in good time so the people would not miss the farming season. He served as military commander at Yeonggang the next year, was appointed right army commander in July 1430, and in May of that year, as a garrison officer, is said to have supervised the breaking of rocks at Daetan.
In 1432 as magistrate of Gyeongseong he petitioned about troop and horse deployment at Gyeongwon and a reduction of tribute, and the same year as commander of Gyeongseong he caught a hawk and was given clothing by Sejong. In 1434 he was appointed commander at Gangye and received Sejong's instruction to encourage farming and sericulture, be careful with punishments and relieve the hungry. He then served as magistrate of Gangye and Uiju.
He carried on the military tradition of the Chungui-gun branch from his father Ji Yong-gi of the 17th generation. His sister's daughter with Choe Yong became Lady Haenyeong and the mother of Queen Hyeondeok, consort of Munjong, which links the Chungju Ji clan to the royal house in early Joseon. His father-in-law was the magistrate Choe Yun-u and his mother-in-law was of the Neungseong Gu clan.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed in this research.
His sister married Choe Yong, and her daughter of the Haeju Choe clan, titled Lady Haenyeong, is recorded as the mother of Queen Hyeondeok, consort of King Munjong. His sons were Ji Gae and Ji Ho, and grandsons Ji Gye-hae, Ji Gye-gang and Ji Gye-han; Ji Ho was named a Wonjong merit subject as deputy mayor of Hanseong.