Im Seong-gu

Im Seong-gu (임성구지) was a Korean intersex person from the early Joseon period, whose life is recorded in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty.

Biography
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty - Sillok in its case at the University of Seoul

The dates of Im Seong-gu's life are unknown, but part of it is recorded in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, in Book 8 - the Veritable Records of Seonjo (Revised). In the annals, Im Seong-gu is referred to as a "man from Gilju", who married a man and a woman.[1] It also discusses how they were full of both ying and yang, which expressed itself through their gender. They were brought up as a girl, married, but the husband was shocked to see their body on the wedding night. They later re-married to a woman.[2]

In 1548, the Joseon court decided that Im Seong-gu was disturbing society and exiled them.[1] The Saganwon (사간원), the opposition to the monarchy, insisted that Im Seong-gu should be executed. However King Myeongjong of Joseon forbade execution, stating that exile was enough. The annals discuss whether they should be killed, like other similar people in India. They also describes how Im Seong-gu wore men's and women's clothes.[3]

Historiography

An alternative interpretation of the Veritable Records describes Im Seong-gu as a bisexual man.[4]

See also

References
  1. "조선왕조실록 - Myeongjong Annals 8, Myeongjong November 18, 2nd article". sillok.history.go.kr. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  2. "임성구지, 남성과 여성의 중간 몸? "임성구지의 몸을 본 남편은 혼비백산" - Seong-gu Lim, male and female middle body?". 뉴스인사이드 (in Korean). 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. "조선왕조실록 -Myeongjong Annals 8, Myeongjong November 21, 3rd Imjin Article". sillok.history.go.kr. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  4. "반음양인간 '임성구지'의 정체 – The essence of the semi-Yin Yang people - Sciencetimes" (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-05-26.
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