His childhood name was Kaeng, given by his father's friend, Chŏng Han-kang (정한강; 鄭寒崗).

[2] In 1636, during the Qing invasion of Joseon, Yun went to Songnisan, where he encountered Song Si-yŏl for the first time.

After hearing of King Injo's capitulation to the Manchus, Yun vowed to not take the gwageo.

[2] He was nominated to be a Jipyeong (지평; 持平) as a Yebinshijeong (예빈시정; 禮賓寺正), and had served in various other posts, before he left politics to dedicate himself to scholarly pursuits.

That year, he was ordered to commit suicide by King Sukjong, after a long public debate with Song Si-yŏl.