Jeong Chong

Jeong Chong (鄭恦, 1358 – 1397) was a scholar-official of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. His courtesy name was Mansuk (曼碩), his pen names were Bokjae (復齋) and Seowon-gun (西原君), and his posthumous name was Munmin (文愍). His family seat was the Cheongju Jeong clan.

Life

In 1376 (U 2), he passed the civil service examination at the top rank and at age 19 became Examining Editor (chunchugwan gyeomyeol) of the Office of Annals. He passed through the posts of daegan, eungyo, and sayae, and rose to daehogun. In 1389 (Gongyang 1), he was promoted to Minister of War (byeongjo panseo), and in 1391 he became Minister of Personnel (ijo panseo) and then reached the rank of Jeongdang munhak (Grand Academician of the Hall of Political Affairs). At that time, most of the memorial texts (표전문, pyojeonmun) sent to China were written by him. After the founding of Joseon, he was awarded first-class merit as a founding meritorious subject and was enfeoffed as Seowon-gun while serving as Chamseo Jungchuwonsa (簽書中樞院事). In 1394 (Taejo 3), he became Jeongdang munhak and then Grand Academician of the Yemun Chunchugwan, and together with Jeong Dojeon he compiled the Goryeosa and wrote its preface. In 1395, he was dispatched as an envoy to the Ming dynasty to request the investiture edict (誥命) and seal (印信) for Taejo Yi Seong-gye. At that time, the memorial text sent to the Ming was judged to be disrespectful, and the Ming emperor found fault with it. He was exiled to Daeliwei and died on the way there. He was skilled in calligraphy, and his collected works are titled Bokjae yugo. His posthumous name was Munmin (文愍).

Related works

Television

• Tears of the Dragon (KBS, 1996–1998; actor: Heo Hyeon-ho)

Career

• 1376 (U 2): passed the examination at the top rank
• 1385: Sayae (司藝)
• 1391 (Gongyang 3): Minister of Personnel and Jeongdang munhak (政堂文學)
• 1392: first-class founding meritorious subject of early Joseon
• 1395 (Taejo 4): compiled the Goryeosa (高麗史)

Sources

• Korean Biographical Dictionary