Certificate of Meritorious Subject Issued to Kim Hoe-ryeon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.437

Category

Books & Records

Era

조선 태조 4년(1395)

Designated year

1966

Location

정읍시, 전북특별자치도— 전라북도 정읍시 내장산로 370-12 (부전동, 박물관)

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

This certificate was awarded by the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo (Yi Seong-gye), to Kim Hoe-ryeon (Dogang Kim Clan) upon his designation as a meritorious subject in recognition of his contribution to establishing the country. He later served as the magistrate of Hongju (Hongseong in present), Gongju, and Haeju, and as the mayor of Hanseong (Today’s Seoul), before being promoted to the Minister of Interior of Joseon. He was awarded the posthumous title of Chungmin. The Certificate of Meritorious Subject was issued under the award system created to expand the number of meritorious subjects during the Joseon Dynasty. In September 1392 King Taejo appointed a number of officials as meritorious subjects (1st, 2nd and 3rd classes) in recognition of their contributions to the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, and thereafter it was awarded to as many as 1,400 people on several occasions between 1392 and 1397. The certificate of meritorious subject issued to Kim Hoe-ryeon in September 1395 (the 4th year of the reign of King Taejo) is the original copy consisting of a scroll of paper measuring 925cm in length and 30.3cm in width. It contains a statement of the reasons for the appointment of meritorious subjects made between October 1392 and 1395 (from the 1st to the 4th year of the reign of King Taejong) as well as a list of their names. This document is an important record for identifying the illustrious figures who participated in founding the Joseon Dynasty together with Yi Seong-gye, as well as for defining the criteria for the issuance of certificates of meritorious retainers.