Renowned chief minister of Joseon and incorruptible official who served as chief state councillor across the three reigns of Seonjo, Gwanghae, and Injo
| Life | 1547 ~ 1634 |
| Era | 조선 |
| Clan | 전주 이씨 |
Yi Won-ik was a descendant of Prince Ingnyeong, a son of King Taejong; his courtesy name was Gongryeo (公勵) and his pen name Ori (梧里). After passing the higher civil service examination in 1569, he served as inspector-general and as minister of taxation, rites, and personnel, before rising to right, left, and chief state councillor. When the Imjin War broke out, he was active as inspector-general of Pyeongan Province and escorted King Seonjo to Uiju, for which he was enrolled as a second-class Hoseong merit subject and enfeoffed as Lord of Wanpyeong (Wanpyeong Buwongun).
He took the lead in implementing the Uniform Land Tax Law (Daedongbeop) to ease the burden on the people, proposing in 1608 that it first be enforced in Gyeonggi Province and promoting its nationwide expansion. Under Prince Gwanghae he was exiled for opposing the proposal to depose the queen dowager, and after the Injo Restoration coup he was again appointed chief state councillor, leading a coalition government of the Westerner and Southerner factions.
Living frugally all his life, he was selected as an incorruptible official (cheongbaengni) by the court; his posthumous title was Munchung (文忠). His collected works, the Ori jip, survive.
His descendants preserved his relics and remains and established the Chunghyeon Museum in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province.