Goryeo general under Myeongjong, Assistant Executive in Political Affairs and Superintendent of Military Affairs; second-generation ancestor of the Yeoyang Jin
| Life | 1179 |
| Era | 고려 명종 |
| Clan | 여양 진씨 |
Jin Jun (d. 1179) was a general under King Myeongjong of Goryeo, from the Yeoyang seat (present-day Janggok-myeon, Hongseong). Said to be of great strength and courage, he rose from the ranks to be a general and senior general. The grand genealogy lists him as the son of the founder Jin Chong-hu.
In 1172 he was made military commander of the northeastern region but was impeached for wearing headgear reserved for others and dismissed, then soon reinstated as general. In 1174, as Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council, he put down Jo Wi-chong's rebellion and became Assistant Executive in Political Affairs; in 1175 he was promoted to Superintendent of the Ministry of Military Affairs. He died in 1179.
He is remembered chiefly for the military coups of 1170 and 1173, when many civil officials are said to have been spared thanks to him, and people said the merit would pass to his descendants. He was praised as plain and honest, and the king esteemed his character.
Jin Jun held posts as general and senior general and defended the northern frontier; in 1172 he became military commander of the northeast, was dismissed over his headgear, and was soon reinstated. After putting down Jo Wi-chong's rebellion in 1174 he became Assistant Executive in Political Affairs and in 1175 Superintendent of Military Affairs.
Many civil officials are said to have escaped harm in the coups of 1170 and 1173 because of him. A tradition holds that his three grandsons' success in the civil examination was the fruit of this hidden merit; as a tradition, it should be read apart from the record. His grandson Jin Hwa founded the Maeho-gong branch.
The KBS drama Muin sidae (2003-2004) features Jin Jun, played by Kim Hyo-won. Scenes are dramatized and should be distinguished from the historical record.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed in this research.
His grandsons Jin Sik, Jin Hwa and Jin On all passed the civil examination; they are founders of the Eosa-gong, Maeho-gong and Yebingyeong branches.