Early-Joseon official, reputed disciple of Jeong Mong-ju; known for the Dalseong Park donation story (courtesy name Seongmuk, pen name Gugye)
| Era | 조선 초기 |
| Clan | 달성 서씨 |
Seo Chim (徐沈) was an early-Joseon official of the Dalseong Seo clan, with courtesy name Seongmuk and pen name Gugye; his dates are unknown. His father was the late-Goryeo minister Seo Gyun-hyeong and, according to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, his mother was a daughter of Yi Yeong-yu. A reputed disciple of Jeong Mong-ju, he studied Neo-Confucianism and is said to have lived in retirement in his home district through the turmoil of the dynastic change.
When the state under King Sejong wished to fortify the clan's home ground at Dalseong in Daegu as a defensive site, Seo Chim cooperated by giving up the land. Offered a reward, he instead asked that the interest on grain loans owed by the people of Daegu be reduced by five doe per seok, which the court specially approved so that Daegu people benefited for generations. One article dates this to 1424 (Sejong 6). He was esteemed by the residents and reportedly granted the old post-station site on Namsan and the Yeonsin pond, and a locust tree said to have been planted at Sejong's order is known as the 'Seo Chim tree' in Dalseong Park.
He became Cheomji Jungchuwonsa in 1433 and, after serving as Jeonuisogam, Jeolla naval commander the next year; he is also said to have been chosen as a land-equalization commissioner for the three southern provinces. His tomb lies in Yongsu-dong at the foot of Mt. Palgong in Daegu, with an inscription composed by Yi Ui-jo and calligraphy by his descendant Seo Sik. He was enshrined at Guam Seowon in Daegu in 1665. Through his three sons Seo Mun-han, Seo Mun-gan and Seo Mun-deok, the Hyeongam-gong, Hagyu-gong, Panseo-gong, Gamchal-gong, Jinsa-gong and Saengwon-gong branches descend, and he is honored as the direct ancestor of their founders.
A memorial stele to the founder Seo Jin stands in Dalseong Park, and the land Seo Chim gave up is told as the origin of the park. For this reason he is often presented, not only by the clan but across Daegu, as an example of a scholar who put the people first. The exact date of the donation is given as 1424 (Sejong 6) in a news report, whereas the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says only 'during Sejong's reign', so the year depends on the source.
His father Seo Gyun-hyeong was a late-Goryeo minister, and Seo Chim studied Neo-Confucianism as a disciple of Jeong Mong-ju. Wikipedia's family listing names his wife of the Goseong Yi clan and his brothers Seo Seup and Seo Hwan, from whom the Champan-gong branch descends.
The story that Seo Chim gave up the land when Sejong sought to make Dalseong a strategic site, and asked relief on grain-loan interest instead of a reward, is often cited as the origin of Dalseong Park. One report links the National Debt Repayment Movement of Seo Sang-don to the park, but since Wikipedia classes Seo Sang-don as Daegu Seo, this page does not assert the connection.
He became Cheomji Jungchuwonsa in 1433 and Jeolla naval commander the next year. After his death he was enshrined at Guam Seowon in 1665; according to one article the academy also honors Seo Geo-jeong and Seo Seong. The Dalseong Seo clan council was reported to have donated the academy's site to Daegu city.
His tomb is said to lie at Yongsu-dong at the foot of Mt. Palgong in Daegu (inscription by Yi Ui-jo, calligraphy by his descendant Seo Sik).
The Hyeongam-gong, Hagyu-gong, Panseo-gong, Gamchal-gong, Jinsa-gong and Saengwon-gong branches descend from his three sons.