정배걸 鄭倍傑
Founder of the Chogye Jeong clan, a Goryeo official said to have opened the private academy Hongmun Gongdo
| Life | 1051 |
| Era | 고려 전기 |
| Clan | 초계 정씨 |
Life & career
Jeong Bae-geol (鄭倍傑, died 1051) was a Goryeo official and the founder of the Chogye Jeong clan. He is said to have come from Seongsan in Chogye (now Seongsan-ri, Ssangchaek-myeon, Hapcheon). His birth year is unknown; from the 1017 examination record he is estimated to have been born in the late Seongjong or early Mokjong reign. The Goryeosa also names an official Jeong Geol (鄭傑) with an overlapping career, generally taken to be the same man.
He placed first in the eul-class of the 1017 civil examination, served as left remonstrance official in 1035, presided over the examination as deputy head of the Security Council in 1047, and was appointed head of the council in 1050. Some accounts instead say he became Minister of Rites and head of the council in 1051, so dates vary.
He is said to have opened the private academy Hongmun Gongdo outside the south gate of Gaegyeong. No founding date is recorded; it is dated before his death in August 1051 and some regard it as earlier than Choe Chung's academy of 1055. In 1080 he was honored posthumously, and the epitaph of his grandson Jeong Bok-gyeong records him as Lord Gwangyu. His posthumous title is said to be Hongmun.
Hongmun Gongdo and Goryeo Private Schools
Hongmun Gongdo is often listed among the twelve private schools of Goryeo, and clan sources call it the earliest. Direct records of its founding are scarce, so the date is inferred from the founder's death. Okjeon Seowon in Hapcheon is said to have been set up by Jeong Bae-geol to train students; the present buildings date from rebuildings in 1861 and 1981 and are a provincial cultural heritage item.
Descendants
He left a son, Jeong Mun, born posthumously, and the five branches of the clan came from Jeong Mun's sons. The epitaph of his grandson Jeong Bok-gyeong says he entered office through his grandfather's merit.
Grave
His tomb is at Seongsan-ri, Ssangchaek-myeon, Hapcheon, a double tomb with his wife, née Choe. Okjeon Seowon and the Okjeon tumuli lie nearby.
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