송상현 宋象賢
Magistrate of Dongnae who died defending the fortress in the Imjin War; pen name Cheongok; posthumous title Chungnyeol; Jisin-gong branch
| Life | 1551 ~ 1592 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 여산 송씨 |
Life & career
Song Sang-hyeon (1551-1592) was a mid-Joseon civil official of the Yeosan Song clan, Jisin-gong branch, with the courtesy name Deokgu (德求), pen names Cheongok (泉谷) and Hancheon, and posthumous title Chungnyeol (忠烈). He was born at Cheongok in Gobu County, Jeolla Province (today Jeongeup), to Song Bok-heung and a mother of the Andong Kim clan. He passed the civil examination in the third grade in 1576 and served as Seungmunwon jeongja, Sahonbu jipyeong, a Jonggye byeonmu envoy aide and magistrate of Baecheon; in 1591 he rose to Tongjeong daebu as Jibui and was appointed Magistrate of Dongnae.
When the Imjin War began in the fourth lunar month of 1592 and Busanjin Fortress fell, the Japanese army set up a wooden board outside the south gate of Dongnae demanding passage. Song Sang-hyeon is said to have written on the board that it was easy to die fighting but hard to lend the road. On the 15th, with the fortress about to fall, he put on his court robe, bowed north toward the king, and died seated in the gate tower.
The story is told that the Japanese side, impressed by his loyalty, buried him outside the east gate, and a false rumor that he had surrendered is said to have spread when his body was not found. His concubine Han Geum-seom also died following him. He was reburied in Cheongju in 1595 and was posthumously raised to Minister of Personnel and Left Consultant.
The Battle of Dongnae
Dongnae was the second major fortress the Japanese army met after Busanjin. Song Sang-hyeon defended it together with soldiers and townspeople, but it fell to superior numbers, and the battle is depicted in the Dongnaebu sunjeoldo painting by Byeon Bak. The account that the Japanese held a burial for him in admiration of his loyalty is handed down as tradition.
Shrines and Memorial Rites
Song Sang-hyeon is said to be enshrined at Chungnyeolsa in Dongnae (Busan), Sungjeolsa in Gaeseong, Sinhang Seowon and Chungnyeolsa in Cheongju, Jeongchungsa in Jeongeup and Hwagok Seowon in Gyeongseong. In 1742 (Yeongjo's reign) the Songgongdan altar was built at Dongnae, and a memorial rite is said to be held there every year on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month. Songgongdan is Busan Metropolitan City Monument No. 11. He has appeared in the MBC drama Imjin Waeran (1985-86) and KBS's Jingbirok (2015).
Timeline
- 1551 Born at Cheongok in Gobu, Jeolla
- 1576 Passes civil examination, third grade
- 1591 Appointed Magistrate of Dongnae
- 15th day, 4th lunar month, 1592 Dies at Dongnae Fortress
- 1595 Reburied in Cheongju
- 1742 Songgongdan built at Dongnae
Grave
He was reburied at Cheongju in 1595 (Seonjo 28) and a gate commending his loyalty was erected; his concubine Han Geum-seom is said to be buried beside him.
Descendants
With his wife of the Seongju Yi clan he had two sons, Song In-geup (1576-1608) and Song Hyo-geup (1579-1636); his younger brother was Song Sang-in (1569-1631).
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