Yi Weon-ik(1547∼1634) passed the national examination during King Seonjo’s reign, and not before long he was recognized for his exceptional capabilities. During the war with the Japanese in the 1590s, he was named as the Pyeong’an-do Provincial Circuit Inspection officer, and was put in charge of tending to the needs of the public while continuing to draft soldiers and providing supplies to the military. He also escorted King Seonjo when the king evacuated the capital, and later put all his efforts into the protection of the Pyeong’yang-seong fortress. He also continued to make repairs to defense facilities while training the soldiers as well, even after the Japanese forces retreated from the Korean peninsula. With the enthronement of King Gwang’hae-gun, Yi Weon-ik was named as Prime Minister(Yeong’eui-jeong), and with his new assignment he embarked upon promoting a bold reform plan for the entire government. As an implementation of this plan, a new act called Dae’dong-beob was launched. It was a new institution designed to alleviate the pain of the population and eliminate the ‘Bangnab’ problem of the time, through which people volunteered to submit particular items to the government and gain profit and interest from their victims. Later, Yi Weon-ik also filed a petition, arguing why it was wrong to strip Queen Inmok’s rank and position, and for speaking out his opinions, he himself along with many of his colleagues suffered massive and harsh punishments. Yet when King Injo was newly enthroned, he was reinstated as Prime Minister. He continued to care for the Joseon people, and also contributed to the subjugation of Yi Gwal’s insurrection, with the title of Supreme Circuit Inspection Officer(Chechal-sa). And when the Jurchen invasion from the North turned out to be imminent, he made suggestions regarding how to avert a war, or defend the country in case one happened. He was already in his mid-80s, but he was a senior and an elder of the country, and he continued to serve the government with his personal experiences that he accumulated during the war with the Japanese. Yi Weon-ik served in high profile seats since the days of King Seonjo, and continued to do so during King Gwang’hae-gun’s reign, and also during King Injo’s reign. He was in charge of resolving all kinds of problems that were all over the spectrum of the governing of the country. With all the party politics raging, he remained neutral, and diligently oversaw the operations of the government. He served as Prime Minister for total of 6 times, during his career which lasted for three kings’ reigns.