Confucian scholar who took his own life in 1912 after annexation; younger brother of Song Byeong-seon
| Life | 1839 ~ 1912 |
| Era | 조선 말기·일제강점기 |
| Clan | 은진 송씨 |
Song Byeong-sun (courtesy name Dongok, pen name Simseok), younger brother of Song Byeong-seon, belonged to the Uam Munjeong-gong line. He is said to have died by poison in 1912, outraged at an appointment letter from the colonial authorities.
Born at Hoedeok in 1839 as the second son of Song Myeon-su and a lady of the Jeonju Yi clan, he studied Neo-Confucianism under his uncle Song Dal-su and kinsman Song Geun-su. In 1883 he moved to Yeongdong, North Chungcheong, to teach, and declined appointments in 1888 and 1903.
After the 1905 treaty he sent letters to the provinces calling for punishment of the traitors and a Confucian uprising. At the 1910 annexation he attempted suicide but was stopped by his students.
He refused an offer of recommendation to the Gyeonghagwon in 1911, and in 1912 (22 March by the source's date) he drank poison on receiving an appointment letter as lecturer there. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Independence Medal) in 1977.
His grave is said to lie in Haok-ri, Geumsan-eup, Geumsan County, South Chungcheong.