Goryeo general who rose to chancellor under Kings Gongmin and U; in-law of Yi Seong-gye
| Life | 1377 |
| Era | 고려 말 |
| Clan | 충주 지씨 |
Ji Yun (?-1377) was a late-Goryeo general and chancellor of the Chungju clan, remembered as the founder of the Pangwan-gong branch. His grandfather was Ji Heup, a vice-chancellor, and his father Ji Deok-myeong. His mother is said to have been a shaman, so his status was not high, but he rose from the ranks through military merit and was made director of the Sunggyeong Office by King Gongmin, who prized his courage.
He served as commander of the northwest and commander of Gyeongsang and under King U became chancellor and director of the Ministry of Revenue. Records say he detected and put down the treason of the Prince of Shen and his mother, and he served as a Jeongbang commissioner.
One of his daughters married Grand Prince Jinan, the eldest son of Yi Seong-gye, and two others became consorts of King Jeongjong (Seongbin and Sukui Ji). When he fell out with the powerful Yi In-im, he raised troops, failed, and was executed with his household in 1377.
Records say Ji Yun began as a common soldier and rose through military achievements. In King Gongmin's later years he became director of the Sunggyeong Office and was appointed to field commands such as commander of the northwest and Gyeongsang. He is regarded as founder of the Pangwan-gong branch; his cousin was Ji Hwan and his grand-nephew Ji Yong-su.
When King U took the throne, Ji Yun and Yi In-im tried to receive an envoy from the Northern Yuan, drawing criticism from rising literati such as Jeong Do-jeon and Gwon Geun. In King U's early years he is said to have worked closely with Yi In-im, Im Gyeon-mi and Yeom Heung-bang in running affairs, and the sources record criticism of him over offices and wealth.
Estranged from Yi In-im over matters such as sending his son Ik-gyeom to command against pirates, Ji Yun felt endangered when his confidants were exiled for slandering the government, and with the royal secretary Kim Yun-seung raised troops to remove Yi In-im and Choe Yeong. The plan failed, and he was arrested and executed with his household in 1377. The Goryeosa and later writings do not always agree on his offences and assessment, so they should be read with care.
Ji Yun's daughter of the Chungju clan became the wife of Grand Prince Jinan, eldest son of Yi Seong-gye, and was titled Great Lady of Samhan, while Seongbin Ji and Sukui Ji became King Jeongjong's concubines. The Chungju Ji clan is thus introduced as having marriage ties with the early Joseon royal house, and princes such as Lord Deokcheon are recorded as his maternal grandsons.
His tomb was not identified in this research.
His son Ji Ik-gyeom served as a grand general; his son-in-law was Grand Prince Jinan, and through his daughters who married King Jeongjong came princes such as Lords Deokcheon, Dopyeong, Uipyeong, Seonseong and Imseong.