Late Goryeo general enfeoffed as Prince Yeoryang, the "middle founder" of the Yeosan Song clan; posthumous title Jeongnyeol
| Life | 1207 ~ 1289 |
| Era | 고려 후기 |
| Clan | 여산 송씨 |
Song Song-rye (1207-1289) was a late Goryeo general whose clan seat was Yeosan. A fourth-generation descendant of the founder Song Yu-ik, he is honored by the clan as its "middle founder." The details of his entry into office are not well known, but he is said to have served as a general.
In 1270 (Wonjong 11), as Jikmunhaseongsa, he helped kill Im Yu-mu, the last ruler of the military regime, together with Hong Mun-gye. (Some sources, such as the Segye Ilbo, instead say he removed the faction of Im Yeon, so accounts differ.) Standing at the end of military rule and the restoration of royal government, the deed raised him to Chumilwon busa and Dongji chumilwon sa, and he is said to have taken part in the first Japanese expedition of 1274.
In old age he retired as Chanseongsa and later again as Jungchan, and under King Chungnyeol he was enfeoffed as Prince Yeoryang (礪良府院君). His posthumous title is Jeongnyeol (貞烈). Today's five branches are traced to his two sons, Song Yeom and Song Bun, which makes Song Song-rye the starting point of virtually every branch of the clan.
The 1270 coup brought down the Im Yu-mu regime, and the Goryeo court returned to Gaegyeong. Song Song-rye then went to the Yuan as an envoy (1273) and is said to have been involved in the 1274 Japanese expedition, working at the center of Goryeo's foreign relations in the early period of Yuan interference.
According to the clan's account, the sons of the elder son Song Yeom (Song Un, Song Bang-yeong and Song Won-mi) opened the Wonyun-gong, Miljik-gong and Soyun-gong branches, and the sons of the second son Song Bun (Song Rin and Song Seo) opened the Jisin-gong and Jeongga-gong branches. Many Joseon-period figures came from the Jisin-gong and Jeongga-gong lines. See the Yeosan Song page for each branch.
The location of his tomb could not be confirmed.
The descendants of his eldest son Song Yeom form the Wonyun-gong, Miljik-gong and Soyun-gong branches, and those of his second son Song Bun form the Jisin-gong and Jeongga-gong branches.