Bak Seo-saeng
Bak Seo-saeng (?-?) was a Korean civil minister ("munsin") in the 15th century during the early period of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Bak was also diplomat and ambassador, representing Joseon interests in the "Tongsinsa" to the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan. Biography. The birth and death dates of Bak Seo-saeng are unknown. However, he is of the Bian (Uiseong) Bak clan, and his grandfather is Bak Yun-bo and his father is Bak Jeom with the title of Jungnyangjang (a military post). He learned confucianism from Gil Jae, one of the great neo-Confucianism scholar of  Korea. In 1401, he passed gwageo, the state examination, with a low grade. In 1407, he passed high grade examination and served for the government as the "Jeongeon" (정언, 正言), and became "Byeongjo Jwarang", the next year. In 1419, he was appointed "Jipui" (집의, 執義), and he was promoted as "Daesaseong" (대사성, 大司成) in 1426. King Sejong the Great sent a diplomatic mission to Japan ("Joseon Tongsinsa") in 1428. This embassy to court of Ashikaga Yoshinori was led by Pak Seo-saeng. Its purpose was to respond to a message sent to the Joseon court by the Japanese shogun. In  1430, he was appointed "Jiphyeonjeon bujehak" (집현전부제학, 集賢殿副提學). Soon after that, he became "Gongjo chamui" and "Byeongjo chamui" (참의, 參議), minister of Yukjo, the Six Ministries. In 1432, he was appointed the administrator of Andong. After his death, Pak Seo-saeng was enshrined in the Gucheon Seowon in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang. Pak's writings are preserved in the "Yaeun-eonhaengnok" (야은언행록, 冶隱言行錄).