First-class founding merit subject of Joseon, killed in the First Strife of Princes; posthumous title Gangmu
| Life | 1354 ~ 1398 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 의령 남씨 |
Nam Eun (1354-1398) of Uiryeong was a son of Nam Eul-beon and younger brother of Chief State Councillor Nam Jae. He is said to have been recommended by hereditary privilege in 1373 and passed the civil examination in 1374; under King U he drove off Japanese pirates at Samcheok and served as magistrate of Samcheok and head of the Royal Stables.
In 1388 he opposed the Liaodong expedition and urged Yi Seong-gye to turn his army back at Wihwado; in 1389 he took part in enthroning King Gongyang. Impeached by Jeong Mong-ju in 1391, he was exiled with Jo Jun and Jeong Do-jeon, but returned after Jeong Mong-ju's death. In 1392 he helped found Joseon, became a first-class merit subject and was enfeoffed as Lord Uiryeong (later Uiseong).
He became Left Assistant of the Three Offices in 1394, was recalled together with Nam Jae after mourning in 1395, and in 1396 rose to Assistant Minister. He is said to have drawn up battle formations and trained troops for a Liaodong campaign, quarrelling with Jo Jun and others. In 1398, during the First Strife of Princes, he was discussing state affairs at a concubine's house at Songhyeon-bang when Yi Bang-won attacked; he fled but was caught and killed.
He opposed the Liaodong expedition in 1388 and urged Yi Seong-gye to return, then stayed close to him through the enthronement of King Gongyang and the founding of Joseon. His exile after Jeong Mong-ju's impeachment in 1391 shows the tension of the time.
In 1396-1397 he drew up formations and trained troops for a Liaodong campaign, breaking with Jo Jun. After he was killed by Yi Bang-won's attack in 1398 he was denounced as part of Jeong Do-jeon's faction, but no collective punishment fell on his family; his brother Nam Jae and his sons continued to hold office.
After Sejong's accession he was posthumously named Left State Councillor and then Chief State Councillor, enfeoffed as Prince Uiseong, and in 1421 enshrined in Taejo's shrine with the posthumous title Gangmu.
He is introduced as buried in Yongin, Gyeonggi.
His sons Nam Gyeong-su, Gyeong-u, Gyeong-bok and Gyeong-ji are recorded; his descendants form the Gangmu-gong branch.