Founder of the Jeoldo-gong branch; incorruptible official who served as Jeju magistrate and provincial army commander; father of the poet Im Je
| Life | 1526 ~ 1587 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 나주 임씨 |
Im Jin (1526-1587) was a mid-Joseon military official from Naju, son of Im Bung and younger brother of Im Bok. He passed the military examination, served as a Hunryeonwon officer and rose to army commander of five provinces; he founded the Jeoldo-gong branch of the Naju Lim clan.
As magistrate of Jeju his good rule earned him a gift of Tao Yuanming's collected works from the king and selection as an incorruptible official. As naval commander of Right Jeolla he is said to have cleared pirates around Heuksan Island, and a poem (sijo) he wrote as commander of Pyeongan is recorded in anthologies such as Cheonggu Yeongeon.
His eldest son was the poet Im Je; other sons included Im Sun, magistrate of Gangye, and Im Hwan. He is said to have built Yeongmojeong with his brother Im Bok and others in honor of their father.
After passing the military exam he served as a Hunryeonwon officer and rose to army commander of five provinces; as naval commander of Right Jeolla he is said to have cleared pirates near Heuksan Island.
His good governance as Jeju magistrate earned him a gift of Tao Yuanming's works and selection as an incorruptible official; the head house of the Gangye-gong line is said to keep the book.
His eldest son Im Je is counted among Honam's finest poets and Im Hwan raised a militia in the second invasion. The Jeoldo-gong branch has descendants in Hoejin, Yeongam, and Jinan and Sunchang in North Jeolla.
His tomb was not confirmed here. His descendants' head house is said to keep sites such as Chuwondang in Yeongam, South Jeolla.
He is recorded as having five sons, including Im Je, Im Sun and Im Hwan, and two daughters; the line continues as the Jeoldo-gong branch, with the Gangye-gong head house now in its 16th generation.