Joseon civil official who fled to Hamheung during the Gapja Purge and rose to Minister of Personnel and Left Consultant under Jungjong
| Life | 1474 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 벽진 이씨 |
Yi Jang-gon (李長坤, born 1474) was an early-Joseon civil official and scholar, courtesy name Huigang, pen names Hakgo, Geumheon, Geumjae and Uman, posthumous title Jeongdo; his clan seat was Byeokjin. A son of Yi Seung-eon, he studied under Kim Goeng-pil.
He topped the preliminary licentiate examination in 1495 and passed the Aljeong civil examination in the second class in 1502. In 1504, serving as Gyori, he was caught in the Gapja Purge and exiled to Geoje, but escaped to Hamheung and survived living among the Yangsucheok outcast bands. After the Jungjong Restoration of 1506 he returned to office on Bak Won-jong's recommendation and served as Gyori, Jangryeong and Dongbu Seungji, trusted by Jungjong for combining learning and martial skill.
He repelled a Jurchen raid in 1512, became Vice Minister of Personnel in 1513, went to Ming as ambassador in 1514, and later served as Inspector-General, Minister of Personnel and Left Consultant. In the Kimyo Purge of 1519 he joined the discussion of punishing the literati but opposed the execution of Jo Gwang-jo and others and was dismissed; reinstated in 1522, he lived in seclusion at Yeogang and Changnyeong.
During the Kimyo Purge he was Vice Minister of War; he took part in discussing the punishment of the literati but opposed executing the arrested Jo Gwang-jo and the new faction, and was dismissed.
See also the Byeokjin Yi clan page.