The Cheongju Han clan () is a Korean clan well known for their many female members including six queens. The Cheongju Han clan was one of the most prominent clans during the Goryeo period and Joseon period, currently, the Cheongju Han is known as a clan that has long been prominent in Korean politics, public service, business and arts.

Origin

The members of the Cheongju Han clan claim descent from the sage

Jizi Jizi, Qizi, or Kizi (; Gija or Kija in Korean language, Korean) was a semi-legendary * :"Although Kija may have truly existed as a historical figure, Tangun is more problematical." * :"Most orean historianstreat the

angun Angoon (sometimes formerly spelled Angun, ) is a city on Admiralty Island, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 572; by the 2010 census the population had declined to 459. For statistical purposes, it is in the Hoonah- ...

myth as a later ...

(or Kija), who was a noble from the

Shang dynasty The Shang dynasty (), also known as the Yin dynasty (), was a Chinese royal dynasty that ruled in the Yellow River valley during the second millennium BC, traditionally succeeding the Xia dynasty and followed by the Western Zhou d ...

, and rode his white horse and set a nation in "The Farthest East". They were the descendants of Urang (友諒), the son of King Jun, the last monarch of the Gija period, during the ancient Gojoseon Kingdom. The founder of the Cheongju Han clan was Han Ran (; 853–916), the 32nd descendant of Urang.

History

The clan provided the largest number of generals during the

Joseon dynasty Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...

. The Cheongju Han clan is well known for the many female members who produced most royal consorts including most six queens. They had produced six queens, five princesses consort, three royal concubines, 315 scholars, 12 Sangshin, 14 Gongshin, and 1 Daejejak throughout the Joseon dynasty. A member of this clan was

Queen Insu Queen Sohye (16 October 1437 – 21 May 1504), of the Cheongju Han clan, was the only wife of Crown Prince Uigyeong. She never was the consort of a reigning king. Nevertheless, she was honored as Queen Insu () and later as Queen Dowager Insu () du ...

, wife of Crown Prince Uigyeong, and the first female author in Korean history, who wrote '' Naehun'', a

Confucian Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, religion, theory of government, or way of life. Founded by Confucius ...

morality guidebook for women.

Genealogy book

The Cheongju Han's genealogy records (''jokbo''; 族譜) written by Han Hyo-jung, Han Hyuk and others in 1617, during the

, is considered important bibliographically. In addition, the overall system and recording method are different from other genealogies, having a feature that places great importance on royal records.

Living members

* Han Dong-hoon (born 1973), South Korean politician *

Han Duck-soo Han Duck-soo (; born 18June 1949) is a South Korean diplomat, economist, and politician who served as the acting president of South Korea in December 2024 and from March to May 2025 and as the prime minister of South Korea from 2007 to 2008 an ...

(born 1949), South Korean politician *

Han Myeong-sook Han Myeong-sook (; ; born March 24, 1944) is a South Korean politician who served as the Prime Minister of South Korea, prime minister of South Korea from 2006 to 2007. A former member of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP), she was South Ko ...

(born 1944), South Korean politician * Han Min-goo (born 1953), South Korean politician and general * Han Kang (born 1970), South Korean writer * Han Sung-joo (born 1940), South Korean educator, diplomat and politician *

Han Seung-soo Han Seung-soo (; born 28 December 1936) is a South Korean politician and diplomat who served as the prime minister of South Korea from 2008 to 2009 under President Lee Myung-bak. He was the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special ...

(born 1936), South Korean politician and diplomat * Han Terra (born 1982), South Korean inventor and musician * Han Taesan (Han Dong-min) (born 2004), South Korean singer, member of BOYNEXTDOOR

Royalty of the Chinese Ming dynasty

* Consort Kanghuizhuangshuli of the Korean Cheongju Han clan (康惠莊淑麗妃) (late 14th century – 1424); married to

Yongle Emperor The Yongle Emperor (2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Chengzu of Ming, personal name Zhu Di, was the third List of emperors of the Ming dynasty, emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 142 ...

. *Lady Gongshen of the Korean Cheongju Han clan (恭慎夫人清州韓氏) (1410 – 1483); younger sister of Consort Kanghuizhuangshuli; married to

Xuande Emperor The Xuande Emperor (16 March 1399 31 January 1435), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Zhanji, was the fifth emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1425 to 1435. He was the son and successor of ...

Royalty of the Joseon dynasty

Queen Sinui Queen Sinui (; 6 October 1337 – 25 November 1391), of the Cheongju Han clan, was the first wife of Yi Seong-gye (future King Taejo of Joseon). She was the mother of King Jeongjong and King Taejong. She was firstly given the title of Conso ...

Queen Jangsun Queen Jangsun (; 3 March 1445 – 14 January 1462In the Korean calendar (lunar), the Queen was born 16 January 1445 and died 5 December 1461), of the Cheongju Han clan, or known as Crown Princess Consort Jangsun () during her lifetime, was the ...

* Queen Ansun * Queen Gonghye * Queen Inyeol *Royal Consort Gwi-in * Royal Consort Suk-ui * Royal Noble Consort OnConcubine of King Seonjo.

References

{{authority control Han clans