Jeonju Yi clan

The Jeonju Yi clan or Jeonju Lee clan (Korean: 전주 이씨; Hanja: 全州 李氏) is a Korean clan with the surname Yi. Their bon-gwan is in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.^[1] The clan includes the House of Yi that led Joseon and the Korean Empire.

Their founder was Yi Han [ko]. He was Minister of Works (사공; 司空) during the Silla Dynasty and became the ancestor of a prestigious and powerful clan that held influence from the Unified Silla period to the Goryeo period.^[2]

While there are no clear records of the ancestors of Yi Han, the founder of the Jeonju Yi clan, there are theories that he originated from the imperial family of the Tang Dynasty in China and lived in Jeonju after he came to Silla or that he branched off from the Gyeongju Yi clan, a native Silla clan.^[3]

Yi Han's descendant, Yi Sŏng-gye, seized power in a military coup and founded Joseon in 14th century.^[2]

In the 21st century, the Jeonju Lee Royal Family Association manages the affairs of the clan.