Sixth-generation descendant of Choe Chung; late-Goryeo official and writer of the Bohanjip (posthumous title Munceong)
| Life | 1188 ~ 1260 |
| Era | 고려 |
| Clan | 해주 최씨 |
Choe Ja (1188-1260) was a late-Goryeo civil official of the Haeju clan and a sixth-generation descendant of Choe Chung. He was first named Jong-yu and An, with courtesy name Sudeok, pen name Dongsan-su and posthumous title Munceong.
He passed the examination under Gangjong, won praise as a governor-clerk of Sangju, served as Gukhak hakyu, and was given literary duties on the recommendation of Yi Gyu-bo, who enjoyed Choe I's confidence. Under Gojong he served as Jeongeon and Anchalsa, went to the Mongols as envoy in 1250, became Jungseo pyeongjangsa Sutaesa in 1256 and Munha sirang dongjungseo-munha pyeongjangsa Panibusa in 1258.
A fine writer, he left the Sokpahanjip (Bohanjip), the ten-volume Gajip, the Choe Munchung-gong gajip and the Samdobu, among other works. He is also noted as being close to the Choe military regime and favoring literary composition over the classics, and is criticized for a lack of integrity.
After passing under Gangjong he made his name as a governor-clerk of Sangju and was given literary duties on Yi Gyu-bo's recommendation. Under Gojong he held posts including Jeongeon, Anchalsa for Chungcheong and Jeolla, Gukja daesaseong, Hallim hakssa seungji, Chumil busa and Jigongnyeo.
The three-volume Sokpahanjip (Bohanjip) is a collection of poetry criticism examining the nature of literature, a writer's qualities and the difficulty of composition. The ten-volume Gajip and Samdobu are also said to survive or be recorded.
The Goryeosa records that he was simple and slow of speech by nature and did not strive to stand out. He was also attacked as part of a politically calculating family through his tie to Choe Chung-heon, and later critics even argued the 'ceong' (clear) of his posthumous title should be changed to 'tak' (muddy). In 1257 he is said to have urged surrender, arguing Ganghwa could not be defended.
Sons Choe Yu-hu, Choe Yu-bi and Choe Yu-eom; described as a relative by marriage of Choe Chung-heon.