Seo Hui
Encyclopedia
Seo Hui (942–998) was a Korea
n politician and diplomat during the early days of the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea
(918–1392). Seo is best remembered for his diplomatic skills that led 60,000 Khitan
troops to withdraw from Goryeo without a battle.
Seo clan and was the son of Seo Pil (徐弼) who, during the King Gwangjong
's reign, served as Naeuiryeong (內議令), the highest official post of Naeuiseong (內議省), the advisory council
for the King. Until the time of his grandfather, Seo Sin-il (徐神逸), the Seo clan was a hojok (豪族) or a powerful local gentry
based in what is now the Icheon areas, in the southeast of the Gyeonggi Province.
Like his father, Seo Hui became a jaesang (宰相), the collective term referring to officials with a high rank in ancient Korea
. His sons, Seo Nul (徐訥) and Seo Yu-geol (徐惟傑) also followed their father's footstep by serving respectively as Munha sijung (門下侍中), the title of the highest minister
of state, and Jwabokya (左僕射), the second rank of Sangseoseong (尙書省), Secretariat for State Affairs of Goryeo. As one of Seo Nul's daughters later became a queen by marrying King Hyeonjong
, Seo Hui's clan was related to the King on the King's mother's side. With this background and his own talent, Seo Hui managed to establish a successful career.
, the state examination, with a high grade, in March of 960, the 11th year of King Gwangjong's reign, he served for the government as the Gwangpyeongwon eorang (廣評員外郎) and Naeui sirang (內議侍郎) posts. In 983, Seo became Byeonggwan eosa (兵官御事), the official in charge of military affairs. Soon after that, he was appointed to important positions like Naesasirang pyeongsangsa (內史侍郎平章事), the second rank of Naesaseong (Supreme Council during the period), and finally he was raised to the highest position of Taebo Naesaryeong, the head of Supreme Council.
In addition to his successful political career, Seo performed remarkable achievements in diplomatic affairs. In 972, Seo went to China and played an important role in re-establishing the diplomatic relationship between Goryeo and the Chinese Song Dynasty
, which had been broken off over a decade earlier. However, the greatest achievement in his diplomatic career was his direct negotiations with General Xiao Sunning of the Liao Dynasty
, which prevented an invasion by a host of Khitan troops: when Xiao Sunning invaded Goryeo in 993, Seo Hui was sent to him as Korean representative, and he obtained Khitan consent to allow the region up to the Yalu River
to be incorporated into Goryeo territory. Seo Hui's brilliant diplomatic maneuver underscored his correct understanding of both the contemporary international situation and Goryeo's position in the region. He died in 998
.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n politician and diplomat during the early days of the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
(918–1392). Seo is best remembered for his diplomatic skills that led 60,000 Khitan
Khitan people
thumb|250px|Khitans [[Eagle hunting|using eagles to hunt]], painted during the Chinese [[Song Dynasty]].The Khitan people , or Khitai, Kitan, or Kidan, were a nomadic Mongolic people, originally located at Mongolia and Manchuria from the 4th century...
troops to withdraw from Goryeo without a battle.
Family
Seo Hui was of the IcheonIcheon
Icheon is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It should not be confused with the much larger Incheon Metropolitan City. Neighboring districts include Yeoju County, Gwangju City, Yongin City, and Anseong City within Gyeonggi province, as well as Eumseong County in North Chungcheong...
Seo clan and was the son of Seo Pil (徐弼) who, during the King Gwangjong
Gwangjong of Goryeo
Gwangjong was the fourth emperor of Goryeo.Goryeo met the time of change by ascending of Gwangjong. At his early stage as ruler, he maintained a passive attitude to nobles. However, he became more and more drastic. Choi Seung-Ro said that his regime can be divided into three parts. First is the...
's reign, served as Naeuiryeong (內議令), the highest official post of Naeuiseong (內議省), the advisory council
Advisory Council
Advisory Council may refer to:In the United Kingdom:* Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, a statutory and non-executive non-departmental British public body...
for the King. Until the time of his grandfather, Seo Sin-il (徐神逸), the Seo clan was a hojok (豪族) or a powerful local gentry
Gentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
based in what is now the Icheon areas, in the southeast of the Gyeonggi Province.
Like his father, Seo Hui became a jaesang (宰相), the collective term referring to officials with a high rank in ancient Korea
History of Korea
The Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
. His sons, Seo Nul (徐訥) and Seo Yu-geol (徐惟傑) also followed their father's footstep by serving respectively as Munha sijung (門下侍中), the title of the highest minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of state, and Jwabokya (左僕射), the second rank of Sangseoseong (尙書省), Secretariat for State Affairs of Goryeo. As one of Seo Nul's daughters later became a queen by marrying King Hyeonjong
Hyeonjong of Goryeo
Hyeonjong of Goryeo was the 8th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He was appointed by the military leader Gang Jo, whom the previous Emperor Mokjong had called upon to destroy a plot by Kim Chi-yang.In 1010, The Khitan attacked again during an internal...
, Seo Hui's clan was related to the King on the King's mother's side. With this background and his own talent, Seo Hui managed to establish a successful career.
Career
After Seo Hui passed gwageoGwageo
The gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
, the state examination, with a high grade, in March of 960, the 11th year of King Gwangjong's reign, he served for the government as the Gwangpyeongwon eorang (廣評員外郎) and Naeui sirang (內議侍郎) posts. In 983, Seo became Byeonggwan eosa (兵官御事), the official in charge of military affairs. Soon after that, he was appointed to important positions like Naesasirang pyeongsangsa (內史侍郎平章事), the second rank of Naesaseong (Supreme Council during the period), and finally he was raised to the highest position of Taebo Naesaryeong, the head of Supreme Council.
In addition to his successful political career, Seo performed remarkable achievements in diplomatic affairs. In 972, Seo went to China and played an important role in re-establishing the diplomatic relationship between Goryeo and the Chinese Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, which had been broken off over a decade earlier. However, the greatest achievement in his diplomatic career was his direct negotiations with General Xiao Sunning of the Liao Dynasty
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
, which prevented an invasion by a host of Khitan troops: when Xiao Sunning invaded Goryeo in 993, Seo Hui was sent to him as Korean representative, and he obtained Khitan consent to allow the region up to the Yalu River
Yalu River
The Yalu River or the Amnok River is a river on the border between North Korea and the People's Republic of China....
to be incorporated into Goryeo territory. Seo Hui's brilliant diplomatic maneuver underscored his correct understanding of both the contemporary international situation and Goryeo's position in the region. He died in 998
998
Year 998 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Otto III retakes the city of Rome and reinstates his cousin, Pope Gregory V, after mutilating and blinding his rival, Antipope John XVI.* St...
.
See also
- List of Goryeo people
- GoryeoGoryeoThe Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
- Goryeo-Khitan WarsGoryeo-Khitan WarsThe Goryeo-Khitan Wars were a series of 10th- and 11th-century invasions of Korea's Goryeo Dynasty by the Khitan Liao Dynasty near the present-day border between China and North Korea. It resulted in the defeat of Liao Dynasty.-Background:...
- List of Korea-related topics