Meritorious general of the Yi Si-ae rebellion enfeoffed Lord Yuseong; posthumous title Pyeongyang; 5th generation of the Boseong Seon
| Life | 1434 ~ 1479 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 보성 선씨 |
Seon Hyeong (1434-1479) was an early Joseon military official of the Boseong Seon clan with courtesy name Myeongyeo and posthumous title Pyeongyang. He was a fifth-generation descendant of the founder Seon Yun-ji, with grandfather Gwang-yu and father Hwa. He is said to have passed the special military examination at eighteen in 1451.
In 1455 he was made a second-class Wonjong merit subject for helping Sejo's accession, and served as Left Gyeongsang naval commander, magistrate of Anju, Mayor of Hanseong, magistrate of Hoeryeong and Mayor of Insu, among others. In the first month of 1467 he was appointed Governor of Hwanghae, a post normally for civil officials, as a soldier known for integrity, and that year during Yi Si-ae's rebellion he led about a thousand troops as Vice Minister of Punishments, was recorded as a third-class Jeokgae merit subject for putting down the rebellion, and was enfeoffed Lord Yuseong. After Seongjong's accession he became a fourth-class Jwari merit subject, was raised to Jeongheon Daebu in 1472 and reached Jijungchubusa in 1477.
When he died on 13 January 1479 a state funeral was held; accounts say he was posthumously made both Left Minister and, later, Right State Councillor. Jeong Yeo-chang wrote his life record. A rite for an immovable ancestral tablet is held at Yeongmoje in Gangmae-dong, Goyang, Gyeonggi, and he is enshrined at Boseong Ojungsa, Goyang Ojungsa and Jangheung Pojungsa.
After becoming a Wonjong merit subject at Sejo's accession, Seon Hyeong is said to have served in key naval, northern and Hanseong posts. In 1459, as Sanghogun, he is said to have guarded Han Myeong-hoe closely and won his trust.
In 1465 he cut a new channel at Bukcheon in Gyeongju as inspector of embankments in Gyeongsang, and in 1467 was appointed Governor of Hwanghae. The Joseon Annals are said to describe him as an upright and plain soldier.
During Yi Si-ae's rebellion in 1467 he strongly argued for mobilizing the navy, which was not accepted, and as Vice Minister of Punishments he led troops with Oh Ja-gyeong, Han Gye-mi and others and is said to have made a great contribution to quelling the revolt. For this he became a third-class Jeokgae merit subject, Hwanghae army and naval commander, and Lord Yuseong.
Yi Jong-saeng, who also distinguished himself in the same revolt, likewise became a Jeokgae merit subject.
Sources differ on his posthumous rank, some saying Left Minister and others Right State Councillor. The head association's site says the rite for his immovable ancestral tablet is held at Yeongmoje inside Goyang Ojungsa.
His great-grandson Seon Geo-i and other descendants who were loyal subjects in the Imjin and Byeongja wars are enshrined together at Boseong Ojungsa.
Said to be buried on the hill behind Seoul National University, the fief land given when he was enfeoffed.
His third son Seon Gye-cheol settled at Gangmae-dong, Goyang, where the line continued, and his great-grandson Seon Geo-i became a famous general of the Imjin War.