Brother of Queen Munjeong and uncle of King Myeongjong, leader of the Soyun faction; behind the Eulsa and Jeongmi purges
| Life | 1503 ~ 1565 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 파평 윤씨 |
Yun Won-hyeong (1503-1565) was a mid-Joseon royal in-law of the Papyeong Yun clan, courtesy name Eonpyeong, fifth son of Yun Ji-im, Lord Pasan. His sister was Queen Munjeong, second queen of King Jungjong, making him maternal uncle of King Myeongjong.
He led the Soyun faction against the Daeyun of Yun Im, uncle of King Injong. After Myeongjong's accession he removed Yun Im's group and many scholars in the Eulsa Literati Purge of 1545 and was named a merit subject, then used the Yangjae Station wall-poster affair to launch the Jeongmi purge against the Sarim. His concubine Jeong Nan-jeong was deeply involved in the power struggle, and he is suspected of having poisoned his wife of the Yeonan Kim clan.
After Queen Munjeong died in 1565 he was impeached, lost his posts and retired to Gangeum, where he died in the eleventh month; accounts of suicide and of exile both exist. The Sarim tradition regards him as a model of in-law dominated rule.
As Queen Munjeong's brother he led the Soyun against Yun Im's Daeyun, the two clashing over the succession.
He removed the Yun Im group and Sarim scholars in the 1545 Eulsa Purge and used the Yangjae Station wall-poster affair to launch the Jeongmi purge.
After Queen Munjeong's death in 1565 he was impeached, lost his posts and died at Gangeum. The Sarim regard him as the model of in-law dominated rule.
The exact tomb location was not confirmed here.
Placed in the Pando-gong line (Queen Munjeong's house). Details on descendants were not confirmed.