Civil official named an incorruptible officer under King Myeongjong; magistrate of Hansan and governor of Yangju
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 도강 김씨 |
Kim Yak-muk (金若默) is named as a Joseon civil-examination graduate of the Dogang Kim. Wikipedia's Dogang Kim article says he was named an incorruptible official (cheongbaengni) under King Myeongjong, served as magistrate of Hansan and governor of Yangju, and is enshrined at Museong Seowon in Jeongeup. His life dates and fuller career could not be confirmed.
Cheongbaengni was the Joseon title for officials famed for integrity and frugality, selected by the court as models. Being counted as an early holder of the title underlies the clan's image of learning and integrity around Taein.
Museong Seowon in Sisan-ri, Chilbo-myeon, Jeongeup, enshrines worthy scholars and local officials, and his enshrinement there shows that his integrity and good governance were long remembered locally.
Incorruptible officials were recommended by senior bodies and entered on a court roll; the name became a source of pride for descendants and the county. Across the dynasty the number so chosen is generally described as small.
Museong Seowon enshrines Choe Chi-won of late Silla together with worthy magistrates and scholars of Taein, and was inscribed in 2019 among the 'Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies' on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kim Yak-muk is introduced as enshrined there.
Of the twelve Joseon civil-examination graduates of the Dogang Kim listed by Wikipedia, Kim Yak-muk is named first, followed by Kim U-jeong, Kim Cheon-jeong, Kim Man-hyeong, Kim Sun-hyeong and Kim Myeong-hyeong. This shows the clan advancing through the civil examination from the sixteenth century.
His tomb could not be confirmed.