민유중 閔維重
Father of Queen Inhyeon, Prince Yeoyang, Noron official, posthumous title Munjeong, enshrined in Hyojong's hall at Jongmyo
| Life | 1630 ~ 1687 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 여흥 민씨 |
Life & career
Min Yu-jung (1630-1687) was a mid-to-late Joseon civil official and in-law, father-in-law of King Sukjong and father of Queen Inhyeon. From Yeoheung, he was the son of Min Gwang-hun of the Sambang branch and younger brother of Min Si-jung and Min Jeong-jung. He belonged to the Seoin Sandang faction, studied under Song Jun-gil and Song Si-yeol, and received the posthumous title Munjeong. He was later the sixth-generation ancestor of Empress Myeongseong.
He passed the 1651 special civil examination, served in posts such as Jeongeon, Jipyeong, Gyori and Eunggyo, and later as governor of Jeolla, Chungcheong and Pyeongan provinces and as Minister of Punishments, Inspector-General, Minister of Revenue and Mayor of Hanseong. When Song Si-yeol's faction fell after the second ritual dispute in 1674 he resigned and stayed in Chungju, and was exiled to Heunghae by the Namin. Restored in the 1680 Gyeongsin Hwanguk, he joined his brother in driving out the Namin, and when the Seoin split he sided with the Noron.
In 1681, while Minister of War, his second daughter became Sukjong's queen (Queen Inhyeon); he was made Prince Yeoyang and Yeongdonnyeong-busa and in 1682 led the creation of the Geumwiyeong guard. Memorials criticized him for holding military and financial power as the queen's father, and the Soron Yun Jeung is said to have pointed to the power of the three in-law houses (Cheongpung Kim, Gwangsan Kim and Yeoheung Min). Taking offense, Min asked for an audience with Sukjong, after which he could no longer meet the king privately; he resigned all posts and died in 1687 at 58. He was posthumously made Chief State Councillor and enshrined in Hyojong's hall, and was a scholar learned in the classics.
His grandfather was Min Gi and his father Min Gwang-hun, with Lady Yeonan Yi, daughter of Yi Gwang-jeong, as mother. His first wife was of the Deoksu Yi clan, his second wife Lady Eunjin Song, daughter of Song Jun-gil and mother of Queen Inhyeon, and his third wife of the Pungyang Jo clan. The story of Queen Inhyeon has been dramatized repeatedly in works such as Inhyeon Wanghu and Jang Hui-bin, in which Min Yu-jung also appears as a character.
Gyeongsin Hwanguk and the Noron
Returning to court after the 1680 Gyeongsin Hwanguk, Min Yu-jung and his brother Min Jeong-jung led the removal of the Namin, and when the Seoin split he is said to have sided with the Noron.
Father of Queen Inhyeon
When his daughter Queen Inhyeon became queen in 1681 he became Prince Yeoyang. His sons Min Jin-hu and Min Jin-won later led the Noron.
Grave
He is said to have been buried at Seomnak-ri, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and was also enshrined at Yeongok Seowon in Jangheung and Gubong Seowon in Byeokdong.
Descendants
Sons Min Jin-hu, Min Jin-won and Min Jin-yeong, and daughter Queen Inhyeon. Ancestor in the 6th and 7th generations of Empress Myeongseong and Empress Sunmyeong.