Gangneung Choi clan
The Gangneung Choi clan (Kangnung Choi, Kangnung Choe) (Hangul: 강릉최씨 Hanja: 江陵崔氏) is a Korean clan consisting of 510,000 people. As of 2001 it was the 51st-largest in South Korea. As custom dictates, the oldest son always keeps the record of the family history.
History
There were three possible origins of the Gangneung Choi clan and they might have originated from the Jeonju Choi clan, Gyeongju Choi clan, or Gang-hwa Choi clan.
- Choi Heun-bong (최흔봉, 崔欣奉) from the Jeonju Choi clan could have been a possible progenitor.
- Another progenitor of the Gangneung Choi clan could have been Choi Pil-dhal (최필달,崔必達) who was from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Choi Pil-dhal was the great grandson of Choi Seung-ro (최승로, 崔承老) who was from the Gyeongju Choi clan. Choi Seung-ro was the descendant of Choe Chiwon who was one of the 18 Sages of Korea, 동방 18현 and was honored as Munmyo Bae-hyang (문묘배향, 文廟配享).[1]
- The third possible progenitor was Choi Mun-han (최문한, 崔文漢) of the Gang-hwa Choi clan.
During the Joseon Dynasty, the Gangneung Choi clan had many nobles.[2] 32 members of the clan passed the civil service exam during that period. One of the most famous members of the Gangneung Choi clan was Choi Chi-un (최치운, 崔致雲). He served as an envoy to Ming China and later was elected as a Yi-jo Cham-pan (이조참판, 吏曹參判),[3] a deputy minister in the Ministry of Personnel during the Joseon Dynasty. The position was 2nd junior rank.
References
- ↑ Joseon Annals, March 19, 1409. No. 1
- ↑ (Korean) 강릉최씨 종친회 사이트 (Gangneung Choi clan web site)
- ↑ Joseon Annals, October 1, 1439. No. 2