Jo Jun

Jo Jun (趙浚, 1346 – November 1405) was a scholar-official, poet, military officer, Politician, and revolutionary of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. His family seat was Pyeongyang (平壤), his courtesy name was Myeongjung (明仲), and his art names were Useo (吁齋) and Songdang (松堂). His titles were Lord Chungui (忠義君) and Pyeongyang Buwongun (平壤府院君).

He was the great-grandson of Jo In-gyu (趙仁規), who served as Munha sijung, the grandson of Jo Yeon (趙璉), and the fifth son of Jo Deok-yu (趙德裕), who served as Minister of Finance. He was also the father of Jo Dae-rim, who married Princess Gyeongjeong, the second daughter of Taejong of Joseon.

Life

In 1371 (the 21st year of King Gongmin), he was recommended for civil office through Eumseo (hereditary privilege). In 1374 (the 24th year of King Gongmin), he passed the civil service examination. During the reigns of King Gongmin and King U, he held a variety of civil and military posts, and in 1384 he temporarily withdrew from office.

After the Wihwado Retreat in 1388, he gained the trust of Yi Seong-gye and quickly returned to office. He served as Jijikjiksasa (知密直司事) and Daesaheon, among other posts, and was enfeoffed as Lord Chungui (忠義君). Immediately after King U was deposed and King Chang ascended the throne, he, as Miljiksasa (密直司事) and Daesaheon, impeached Jo Min-su, the Munha sijung, and drove him from office. In 1389 he also took part in deposing King Chang and installing King Gongyang on the throne. Three years later, in 1392 (the 4th year of King Gongyang), he joined Jeong Do-jeon and others in close accord to depose King Gongyang of Goryeo and enthrone , becoming a meritorious founder of the dynasty. He was especially knowledgeable about economics and finance, and through his land reform proposal he reorganized the economic foundations of Joseon. After he and his political partner parted ways over the issue of the Liaodong campaign, he cooperated in the First Strife of the Princes and took the lead in eliminating Jeong's faction. Throughout the early Joseon period, he served as Dotongsa, Munha Useojung, and Jwajeongseung, and in the seventh lunar month of 1403 he became Yeongui Jeongbusa. always called Jo Jun "Chief Minister Jo" and never used his personal name. His son married , was enfeoffed as Lord Pyeongnyeong (平寧君), and enjoyed power and the favor of the royal family. He was skilled at writing poetry and prose, and in 1397 (the 6th year of ) he compiled the together with and others.