정탁 鄭琢
Mid-Joseon civil official; chief minister during the Imjin War (pen name Yakpo)
| Life | 1526 ~ 1605 |
| Era | 조선 |
| Clan | 청주 정씨 |
Life & career
Jeong Tak was a civil official from Yecheon; his pen name was Yakpo (藥圃) and his courtesy name Jajeong (子精). He studied under Toegye Yi Hwang and Nammyeong Jo Sik, and passed the higher civil service examination in 1558 to enter official service. He held posts such as inspector-general (daesaheon).
When the Imjin War broke out, as second vice-chancellor (jwachanseong) he escorted King Seonjo to Uiju, and thereafter rose to right and left state councillor, working to overcome the national crisis. Well-versed in astronomy, geography, and military strategy, he was active as a key minister of the court during the war.
He is especially widely known for submitting, in 1597, a memorial defending the imprisoned Yi Sun-sin, which saved him from death. His works include the Yakpo jip (藥圃集); he was posthumously granted the office of chief state councillor and received the posthumous title Jeonggan (貞簡). The Jeong Tak Documents, his surviving manuscripts and papers, have been designated a Treasure.
Grave
Bonjeon-ri, Homyeong-myeon, Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province
Descendants
His descendants have settled around Yecheon, preserving relics such as the ritual house of the Cheongju Jeong clan and carrying on his memorial rites.