Founding merit subject of Joseon and governor of Hongju, Gongju and Haeju; 9th generation of the Dogang Kim
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 도강 김씨 |
Kim Hoe-ryeon (金懷鍊) is introduced as a 9th-generation member of the Dogang Kim and 3rd generation of the Dongjeong-gong branch, active in the late Goryeo and early Joseon. Wikipedia says he became a first-class original-merit subject of the founding of Joseon and served as magistrate of Hongju, Gongju and Haeju; the name Chungmin is given alongside. His life dates could not be confirmed.
The 'original-merit' title was given to those who assisted King Taejo's founding of Joseon in 1392 beneath the principal merit subjects, and its appearance in the clan's record shows the family keeping an official footing across the dynastic change.
Kim Hu-jin of a later age is introduced as a descendant of Kim Hoe-ryeon, so he can be counted among the earlier ancestors of the Taein line of the Dongjeong-gong branch. Details of his line should be checked against the jokbo.
The original-merit rank was granted after the founding of Joseon to many who helped without being among the principal merit subjects. Holders are known to have passed some advantages to descendants in entering office, which helps explain a family's early-Joseon footing.
A mok-sa governed a large county as a senior third-rank provincial official, and Hongju, Gongju and Haeju were all important centres. Serving in all three suggests trust in provincial administration.
The Dongjeong-gong branch begins with Kim Won-gyeong in the 7th generation and Kim Hoe-ryeon is listed as its 3rd. He therefore stands about two generations after the branch founder, whose line thus produced a participant in the founding of Joseon within a few generations.
His tomb could not be confirmed.
His descendants are described as the Dongjeong-gong line around Taein (Jeongeup).