Jo Eom
Encyclopedia
Jo Eom was a Korea
n civil minister (munsin) in the 18th century during the late period of the Korean Joseon Dynasty
(1392–1897).
He was also diplomat
and ambassador
, representing Joseon
interests in the 11th Edo period
diplomatic mission to the Tokugawa shogunate
in Japan. He is credited with introducing the cultivation of potatoes as a food staple in Korea in the mid-18th century.
In 1738, He passed saengwonsi
, the state examination, with a low grade. In 1752, He passed high grade examination (Jeongsi) and served for the government as the Jeongeon (정언, 正言), and became Gyori (교리, 校理), administrator of Dongnae and Amhaengeosa (Secret governmental inspectors) of Chungcheong
province, in the 1757. In 1760, He suggested to established three Jochang (조창, 漕倉, storehouse) in southern Gyeongsang province, which was contributed development of economic in this region. He also became Daesaheon (대사헌, 大司憲), Bujehak (부제학, 副提學) and Yejo chamui (예조참의, 禮曹參議).
King Yeongjo
sent a diplomatic mission to Japan (Joseon Tongsinsa) in 1764. This embassy to court of Tokugawa Ieharu
was led by Jo Eom. This diplomatic mission functioned to the advantage of both the Japanese and the Koreans as a channel for developing a political foundation for trade. He brought in foreign crop, a sweet potato
, and grew in Dongnae and Jeju Island.
He was appointed Uigeumbu jisa (의금부지사, 義禁府知事), Ijo panseo and Jehak (제학, 提學). Soon after that, He became Pyongando Gwanchalsa, the governor of Pyongan
province. However, He took away all power by accusation.
After his return to court, Jo Eom was appointed Daesagan (대사간, 大司諫) and Ijo panseo. In 1777, He was entrapped and banished to Wiwon, northern Pyongan region, by Hong Guk-yeong's faction. Later, He was transferred to Gimhae
, southern Gyeongsang region, and died at there.
Jo's writings are preserved in the Haesa ilgi (Diary of Overseas Mission, 해사일기, 海?日記) and Haehaeng chongjae (해행총재, 海行摠載).
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n civil minister (munsin) in the 18th century during the late period of the Korean Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
(1392–1897).
He was also diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
, representing Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
interests in the 11th Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
diplomatic mission to the Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
in Japan. He is credited with introducing the cultivation of potatoes as a food staple in Korea in the mid-18th century.
Biography
Jo Eom was of the Pungyang Jo clan, and his father is Jo Sang-gyeong with the title of Ijo panseo (a Minister of Personnel, 이조판서, 吏曹判書).In 1738, He passed saengwonsi
Gwageo
The gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
, the state examination, with a low grade. In 1752, He passed high grade examination (Jeongsi) and served for the government as the Jeongeon (정언, 正言), and became Gyori (교리, 校理), administrator of Dongnae and Amhaengeosa (Secret governmental inspectors) of Chungcheong
Chungcheong
Chungcheong was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Chungcheong was located in the southwest of Korea...
province, in the 1757. In 1760, He suggested to established three Jochang (조창, 漕倉, storehouse) in southern Gyeongsang province, which was contributed development of economic in this region. He also became Daesaheon (대사헌, 大司憲), Bujehak (부제학, 副提學) and Yejo chamui (예조참의, 禮曹參議).
King Yeongjo
Yeongjo of Joseon
Yeongjo was the twenty-first king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was the second son of Sukjong by Lady Suk-bin of the Choi clan , succeeded his older brother Gyeongjong.-Reign:...
sent a diplomatic mission to Japan (Joseon Tongsinsa) in 1764. This embassy to court of Tokugawa Ieharu
Tokugawa Ieharu
Tokugawa Ieharu Tokugawa Ieharu Tokugawa Ieharu (徳川家治 (June 20, 1737 – September 17, 1786) was the tenth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, who held office from 1760 to 1786.Ieharu was the eldest son of Tokugawa Ieshige, the ninth shogun.-Events of the Ieharu's bakufu:...
was led by Jo Eom. This diplomatic mission functioned to the advantage of both the Japanese and the Koreans as a channel for developing a political foundation for trade. He brought in foreign crop, a sweet potato
Sweet potato
The sweet potato is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are an important root vegetable. The young leaves and shoots are sometimes eaten as greens. Of the approximately 50 genera and more than 1,000 species of...
, and grew in Dongnae and Jeju Island.
He was appointed Uigeumbu jisa (의금부지사, 義禁府知事), Ijo panseo and Jehak (제학, 提學). Soon after that, He became Pyongando Gwanchalsa, the governor of Pyongan
Pyongan
P'yŏngan was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. P'yŏngan was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was P'yŏngyang.-History:P'yŏngan Province was formed in 1413...
province. However, He took away all power by accusation.
After his return to court, Jo Eom was appointed Daesagan (대사간, 大司諫) and Ijo panseo. In 1777, He was entrapped and banished to Wiwon, northern Pyongan region, by Hong Guk-yeong's faction. Later, He was transferred to Gimhae
Gimhae
Gimhae, also commonly spelled Kimhae, is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Gimhae is known to locals as "The Paris of Gyeongsangnamdo." It is the seat of the large Gimhae Kim clan, one of the largest Kim clans in Korea...
, southern Gyeongsang region, and died at there.
Jo's writings are preserved in the Haesa ilgi (Diary of Overseas Mission, 해사일기, 海?日記) and Haehaeng chongjae (해행총재, 海行摠載).