Sŏ Hŭi

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Sŏ Hŭi (Korean: 서희; 942–998) was a Korean politician and diplomat in the early Goryeo period. He came from the Icheon Sŏ clan; his father Sŏ P'il was a high official, and one of Sŏ Hŭi’s daughters later married King Hyeonjong, making his family related to the royal line.

After passing the state exam in 960, he held several important government posts and rose to the top rank of the government.

In 972 he traveled to China to help restore relations with the Song dynasty.

His most famous achievement came from his diplomacy with the Liao dynasty. In 993, Khitan forces led by Xiao Sunning captured Pongsan and pressured Goryeo to surrender. The king Seongjong was ready to concede some land, but Sŏ Hŭi urged resistance, arguing that Goryeo still held former Koguryŏ territory and that the borders should reflect that history.

Sŏ Hŭi went to the Liao camp and negotiated. He argued that lands around the Yalu and other areas were part of Goryeo, and he envisioned a future with closer borders and tributary relations if needed. He told the king he had arranged a deal with Xiao to cooperate against the Jurchens and to push the border in Goryeo’s favor. The expanded territory and a stronger border helped Goryeo in later conflicts.

Sŏ Hŭi died in 998. His diplomacy and leadership are remembered as crucial in protecting and expanding Goryeo at a difficult time.