Mid-Joseon civil official and chief state councillor who advocated peace during the Byeongja War
| Life | 1586 ~ 1647 |
| Era | 조선 |
| Clan | 전주 최씨 |
His courtesy name was Jagyeom and his pen name Jicheon. Taking part in the Injo Restoration coup of 1623, he was enrolled as a first-class Jeongsa merit subject and enfeoffed as Lord of Wanseong (Wanseong Buwongun).
During the Later Jin and Qing invasions (Jeongmyo and Byeongja wars), he argued, against those advocating rejection of peace, for making peace with the Qing in order to preserve the dynasty. After the Byeongja War he rose through the posts of right and left state councillor to become chief state councillor (yeonguijeong). He was later seized by the Qing on suspicion of secret communication with Ming and detained in Shenyang.
He excelled in prose and calligraphy and was also deeply versed in Wang Yangming studies. Works such as the Jicheon jip survive.
His grave is located in Daeyul-ri, Bugi-myeon, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
His grandson Choe Seok-jeong served as chief state councillor under King Sukjong, and Choe Seok-hang also held high office.