Founding ancestor of the Chuncheon Park clan; Goryeo official, Prince Chunseong
| Life | 1227 |
| Era | 고려 고종~충렬왕 때 |
| Clan | 춘천 박씨 |
Bak Hang (朴恒) is the founding ancestor of the Chuncheon Park clan. His courtesy name was Hyeok-ji and his earlier name Bak Dong-bo; he is said to have been a local clerk of Chunju (today's Chuncheon). Genealogical tradition makes him an 11th-generation descendant of Bak Eon-ji, Prince Gangnam and seventh son of King Gyeongmyeong. News features by Gangwon Domin Ilbo and Chuncheon Saramdeul say he was born in 1227 at Jangbon, Balsan-ri, Sinbuk-eup, said to be the old capital of the ancient state of Maek.
He is said to have passed the civil examination under King Gojong and entered the Hallim Academy (the features say at 18, in 1245). After serving as magistrate of Chungju and as circuit inspector of Gyeongsang and Jeolla, he became deputy of the Privy Council under King Chungnyeol; for escorting the king to Yuan he was named a Jwamyeong merit subject and Prince Chunseong, reaching the senior first rank. A story says he petitioned against the abuses of officials collecting weapons and grain for Yuan's Japan expedition. He is credited with skill in writing and diplomacy, and his posthumous title is given as Munui.
A tradition says his parents died at Bongui Mountain in the Mongol invasion; he buried over 300 bodies and made three missions to China to look for them and to ask for the return of captives. He is said to have spent his last years at Sarang Village, Yulmun-ri, dying at 55. His tomb is placed at Balsan-ri or at Mujitgol, Yupo-ri, Sinbuk-eup, depending on the article.
A local clerk of Chunju, he gave the seat its name through his title Prince Chunseong, as descendants are said to have taken it. The link to Prince Bak Eon-ji is clan tradition, and some clans such as Bannam do not accept the eight-prince account.
He earned his merit title by escorting the king to Yuan. The petition about conscription for the Japan campaigns is tradition and was not verified in sources.
The article tells that the tomb sits at a 'snake-head eye' site facing a frog-shaped hill, and that his son Bak Won-gwoeng chose the 'hundred-generations' site over another. This is folklore.
His sons were Bak Won-gwoeng and Bak Won-bi.
In Balsan-ri or at Mujitgol, Yupo-ri, Sinbuk-eup, Chuncheon, depending on the source; a geomancy tale calls it the 'snake-head eye' site.