Min Chi-rok

Min Chi-rok (17 January 1800 – 23 October 1858), formally honoured as Internal Prince Yeoseong. He also known as Duke Hyojeong or Duke Sungan, was a Korean political figure of the Joseon period. He was the father of Empress Myeongseong and the maternal grandfather of King Sunjong of Korea. After he died, his son-in-law, King Gojong of Korea, promoted him to Uijeongbu and Yeonguijeong.

Early life
Min Chi-rok was born into the aristocratic Yeoheung Min clan on 17 January 1800 (23th day, 12th month of the gimi year, according to the Korean lunar calendar) as the only son of Min Gi-hyeon, and his third wife, Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan. Min was a great-great-grandson of Min Jin-hu; Queen Inhyeon’s eldest brother. He was also the 16th great-grandson of Min Yu who was the granduncle of Queen Wongyeong.

Min studied under scholar Oh Hui-sang when he was young, and eventually married his daughter, Lady Oh of the Haeju Oh clan, as his first wife. But she later died at the age of 36 in 1833 with no offspring. After mourning for 3 years, he married Yi Gyu-nyeon's daughter, Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan in 1836. They eventually had a son and two daughters, but they all died young. His wife then gave birth to a third daughter, Min Ja-yeong, on 17 November 1851 who would become the future Queen Consort to King Gojong. He died with an illness in 1858.

Legacy
After his death, his wife and daughter went to live with his relatives in the House of Gamgodang, the house that King Sukjong built for Queen Inhyeon’s father in 1687, until his daughter became Queen.

In 1861, a relative of his clan, Min Seung-ho, became his adoptive son to continue his family line. When Min Ja-yeong became Queen Consort in 1866, he was granted the royal title of “Min Chi-rok, Internal Prince Yeoseong”, and appointed as Yeonguijeong after his death. His wife was also posthumously honored as Internal Princess Consort Hanchang. His first wife was also granted the royal title of “Internal Princess Consort Haeryeong” as she was also considered the mother of Queen Min.

Aftermath
On 30 November 1874, his wife and their adoptive son, Min Seung-ho, died from a bombing assassination.

Prior to his wife’s death, his daughter had started to involve herself in politics. She informally became known as Queen Min. Her political involvement eventually brought the Yeoheung Min clan more influence in politics and life threats from the Queen’s father-in-law, Heungseon Daewongun, who sought to get rid of her.

Queen Min was assassinated in her husband’s private living quarters on 8 October 1895. Her death brought rage from various western powers, as Queen Min brought their influence into Joseon Dynasty politics.

Family

 * Father
 * Min Gi-hyeon (1751 – 1 August 1811); was appointed to Kaeseong Ministry
 * Mother
 * Biological - Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (1773 – 9 March 1838); Min Gi-hyeon’s third wife
 * Step - Lady Jo the Haman Jo clan (1748 – 4 April 1774); daughter of Jo Jung-cheom (조중첨; 1721–?), Min Gi-hyeon’s first wife
 * Step - Lady Yi of the Seongju Yi clan (1763 – 15 March 1792); youngest daughter of Yi Jae-won (이제원; 1716–1779), Min Gi-hyeon’s second wife
 * Wives and their respective issue(s):
 * Internal Princess Consort Haeryeong of the Haeju Oh clan (1798 – 15 March 1833)
 * Internal Princess Consort Hanchang of the Hansan Yi clan (1818 – 30 November 1874)
 * Adoptive son - Min Seung-ho (1830 – 30 November 1874); son of Min Chi-gu (1795–1874)
 * Adoptive daughter-in-law - Lady Kim of the Gwangsan Kim clan (1842–1867 23 April); Min Seung-ho's first wife
 * Unnamed adoptive grandson (1864–1874)
 * Adoptive daughter-in-law - Lady Kim of the Yeonan Kim clan (1830–1859 11 February); Min Seung-ho’s second wife
 * Adoptive daughter-in-law - Lady Yi of the Deoksu Yi clan (1851–1919 1 July); Min Seung-ho’s third wife
 * Adoptive grandson - Min Yeong-ik (1860–1914); eldest son of Min Tae-ho (1834–1884)
 * Unnamed son (1840–1847)
 * Unnamed daughter (1843–1849)
 * Unnamed daughter (1847–1852)
 * Daughter - Min Ja-yeong, Empress Myeongseong of the Yeoheung Min clan (17 November 1851 – 8 October 1895)
 * Son-in-law - Yi Myeong-bok, Emperor Gojong of Korea (8 September 1852 – 21 January 1919)
 * Grandson - Prince Royal Yi Choi (4 November 1871 – 8 November 1871)
 * Unnamed granddaughter (13 February 1873 – 28 September 1873)
 * Grandson - Yi Cheok, Emperor Sunjong of Korea (25 March 1874 – 24 April 1926)
 * Granddaughter-in-law - Empress Sunmyeong of the Yeoheung Min clan (20 November 1872 – 5 November 1904)
 * Granddaughter-in-law - Yun Jeung-sun, Empress Sunjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan (19 September 1894 – 3 February 1966)
 * Grandson - Grand Prince Yi Deol (5 April 1875 – 18 April 1875)
 * Grandson - Grand Prince Yi Bu (18 February 1878 – 5 June 1878)

In popular culture

 * Portrayed by Lee Do-ryeon in 2001-2002 KBS2 TV series Empress Myeongseong