Royal Certificate of Meritorious Subject Issued to Kim Gil-tong

A gongsillokgwon is a certificate of appointment as a meritorious subject, issued by the Directorate of Merit Subjects on the king's order to a subject who had rendered outstanding service. The Jwari Certificate of Merit Issued to Kim Gil-tong is a document recording that King Seongjong of Joseon appointed as meritorious subjects the officials who had helped him ascend the throne, and granted them stipends accordingly. This document was issued to Kim Gil-tong, who held the rank of Sungjeong daebu and the post of Minister of Taxation, and who was ranked fourth class. According to its contents, the Jwari meritorious subjects numbered seventy-three in total: seven of the first rank, twelve of the second, eighteen of the third and thirty-six of the fourth. Originally one such certificate was issued to each meritorious subject, so as many were produced as there were subjects, but almost none survive today; the only two extant examples are the certificate of Yi Sung-won, a third-rank subject, and that of Kim Gil-tong. The individuals recorded in this document offer material for understanding one aspect of the political factions active during the reign of King Seongjong.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheongju, Chungbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물