The Jin clan (眞氏) was a powerful noble clan of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
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Baekje
They were one of the "Great Eight Families" (Daeseongpaljok, 大姓八族) of Baekje: (Sa (沙氏), Yeon (燕氏), Hyeop (劦氏), Hae (解氏), Jin (眞氏), Guk (國氏), Mok (木氏), and Baek (苩氏)). For generations the Jin monopolized providing queens for the Royal Family along with their rival, the Hae clan. This helped them gain high court positions in the government and military. The character (眞) means "real, actual, true, genuine".
After the Battle at Mt. Amak fortress (阿莫山城) against Silla during the beginning of the reign of King Mu of Baekje the Great Eight Families lost a great deal of power. Among the families the Hae clan (who had led the battle), Hyeop, Jin and Mok disappeared from the central political stage leaving only the Yeon, Guk and Baek clans. The Sa clan promoted their influence by military force and produced a queen in the late reign of Mu of Baekje.
They did not lose their status as central nobles during the reign of the last King, Uija of Baekje by colluding with royal authority. The Buyeo clan (the royal family, 扶餘氏) acquired influence with the collapse of the Great Eight Families. After King Uija acceded the throne, royal might was also divided and the lineal descendant of the royal clan with the king as its center was in control of political situation. Among the Great Eight Families, Yeon and Baek clans fell behind and only clans of Sa and Guk maintained their status as central nobles. In the late Baekje all the Great Eight Families except for Sa and Guk clans lost their status as the central nobles and were degraded to local influence at last.
In Yamato period Japan the members of the royal family were called "Mahito" (眞人, 真人) also read as "Jin person" and many scholars believe this implies a connection with the Jin clan of Baekje and the Imperial Line of Japan.
Known Members
The records of the Jin clan are sparse and broken making it hard to create a family tree but can be viewed as a timeline.
2nd King: Daru of Baekje
38: Jin Hwe (眞會) of "North-bu" (northern district) was appointed Marshal Bulwark of the Right. He is the first recorded person from the clan.
5th King: Chogo of Baekje
214: Jin Gwa (眞果) of "North-bu" (northern district) is ordered to attack a Mal-gal castle. He led 1,000 soldiers to attack and take the Mohe castle of Seokmun.
8th King: Goi of Baekje
240: Jin Chung (眞忠) is appointed "Jwa'jang" (Commanding General) and entrusted with military affairs.
247: Jin Mul (眞勿) is appointed "Jwa'jang" (Commanding General) and entrusted with military affairs.
261: Jin Ga (眞可) is appointed Finance Minister (Minister of the Treasury).
11th King: Biryu of Baekje
Queen: name unknown but is from the Jin clan.
331: Jin Yi (眞義) is appointed Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
13th King: Geunchogo of Baekje
Queen: name unknown but is from the Jin clan.
347: Jin Jeong (眞淨) is appointed Minister of Justice and is recorded as a "relative of the Queen".
