Late Goryeo civil official who rose to Cheomui Jungchan under King Chungnyeol and took part in compiling the Veritable Records of Gojong; posthumous title Munsun
| Life | 1220 ~ 1287 |
| Era | 고려 후기 |
| Clan | 원주 원씨 |
Won Bu (1220-1287) was a late-Goryeo civil official of the Wonju Won clan. His early name was Won Gong-sik, courtesy name Seongji, pen name Jokheon and posthumous title Munsun. He is described as a 9th-generation descendant of Won Geuk-yu, a Goryeo founding merit subject (the branch card counts him as 10th generation, so sources differ by one generation). His grandfather was Won Seung-yun and his father Won Jin; his mother was of the Changnyeong Jeong clan.
He passed the civil examination in 1241 and began as a record keeper (jiksagwan). In 1269 he became Chubwon Busa and the next year accompanied the crown prince Sim (the future King Chungnyeol) to the Yuan court. In 1273 he became Jungseo Sirang Pyeongjangsa, and early in Chungnyeol's reign served as Chanseongsa and Pan Gunbusa-sa, eventually reaching Cheomui Jungchan, understood as the top chief-minister post of the time.
In 1277 he was ordered, as Sugukssa, to compile the Veritable Records of Gojong together with Yu Gyeong and Kim Gu, though the draft was not completed. In 1284, as Gamsu Gukssa, he took part in compiling the Gogeumnok. He died in February 1287. Through his sons Won Gwan and Won Gyeong, grandsons Won Chung and Won Seon-ji, the line continued as an important stem of the Wonseongbaek branch.
Won Bu passed the civil examination in 1241 under King Gojong and was appointed to the record office. His early name Gong-sik later became Bu. He rose steadily to Chubwon Busa in 1269.
He accompanied the crown prince to the Yuan court in 1270 and, after King Chungnyeol's accession, served as Chanseongsa and entered the ranks of chief ministers. His final post, Cheomui Jungchan, is understood as the top chief-minister post of the time.
In 1277 he was ordered with Yu Gyeong and Kim Gu to compile the Veritable Records of Gojong but the draft was left unfinished; in 1284 he joined the compilation of the Gogeumnok. His role in state history writing shows his scholarly side.
In 1275, when Won Bu asked his disciples after a meal what people thought of his governance, the scholar Bang U-seon is said to have replied that people said he governed just like his surname, at which Won Bu laughed heartily. The remark seems to play on the meaning of the character for his surname, but the source gives no explanation.
His wife was of the Paju Yeom clan (daughter of Yeom Su-jang). Won Gwan's son was Won Chung and Won Gyeong's son Won Seon-ji.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed.
The line continued through sons Won Gwan and Won Gyeong and grandsons Won Chung and Won Seon-ji, a leading stem of the Wonseongbaek branch.