Father-in-law of King Sejong; Chief State Councillor; founder of the Anhyo-gong branch
| Life | 1375 ~ 1418 |
| Era | 조선 초 |
| Clan | 청송 심씨 |
Sim On (沈溫, 1375–1418) was a civil official of late Goryeo and early Joseon and the father-in-law of King Sejong. Of the Cheongsong Sim clan, with the courtesy name Jung-ok and the posthumous title Anhyo, he was the fifth son of Sim Deok-bu and is honored as founder of the Anhyo-gong branch, the most flourishing line of the clan.
He passed the licentiate examination in 1385 and the civil examination the next year, served the Goryeo court and joined his father in founding Joseon. When his daughter married Prince Chungnyeong (the future Sejong) in 1408 he became a royal in-law. As governor of Punghae in 1411 he dismissed a naval commander who exploited the people, as Inspector-General he tightened official discipline, and in 1414, as head of the status-review office and Minister of Punishments, he helped restore commoners who had been reduced to servitude by powerful late-Goryeo families. He went on to serve as Minister of Taxation, Mayor of Hanseong, Minister of Personnel and Minister of Works.
When Sejong took the throne in 1418, Sim On was made Prince Cheongcheon and Chief State Councillor and was soon sent to Ming as an envoy of thanks. In his absence his younger brother Sim Jeong was accused, together with Minister of War Bak Seup, of criticizing the retired King Taejong's hold on military power. Sim On was named the ringleader, arrested at Uiju on his way home, taken to Suwon and forced to take poison. The Annals of King Sejong record that Left State Councillor Bak Eun urged punishment for treason without a confrontation hearing, and unofficial histories say Sim On told his descendants never to marry into the Bak family.
There was even talk of deposing his daughter Queen Soheon, but it was dismissed in recognition of her virtues. Under King Munjong his offices were restored and he received the title Anhyo. His son Sim Hoe became Chief State Councillor under King Sejo, so the family is noted for three successive generations of chief ministers. His descendants include Queen Insun, Queen Danui and Chief State Councillors Sim Yeon-won and Sim Hwan-ji.
His tomb is in Iui-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, designated a Gyeonggi Provincial Monument in 1979, with a spirit-way stele and the Anhyosa shrine; he is honored as a permanently enshrined ancestor and rites continue today.
Founder of the Anhyo-gong branch; his sons included Sim Hoe (Chief State Councillor) and Sim Gyeol, and his daughter was Queen Soheon. More than half of the clan is said to belong to this branch.