Founding merit subject who first proposed enthroning Yi Seong-gye; right state councillor; pen name Chungok; posthumous title Ikgyeong
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 청주 정씨 |
Jeong Tak (鄭擢) was a civil official of late Goryeo and early Joseon from Cheongju, courtesy names Yeogoe and Chugeun, pen name Chungok (春谷), posthumous title Ikgyeong. A son of Jeong Gong-gwon (Jeong Chu) and younger brother of Jeong Chong, he is a different person, in both hanja and era, from Yakpo Jeong Tak (鄭琢), left state councillor under King Seonjo.
He passed the civil examination in 1382 and held posts at the Office of State Records, censorate and boards. In 1392 he became a censor and Seonggyungwan official and then a grand general, and was named a first-class founding merit subject for being the first to propose enthroning Yi Seong-gye.
In 1393 he became head of the Munhabu and in 1394 chief academic, was taken to Ming in 1396 over the pyojeon issue, returned as left royal secretary and was enfeoffed as Lord of Cheongseong. For ending Prince Bang-gan's revolt in 1398 he became a second-class Jeongsa merit subject, served under Taejong as governor of Hanseong and of Gaeseong, and made trips to Ming in 1408 and 1421, becoming right state councillor in 1422. He was enshrined in Taejong's shrine.
The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture records that Jeong Tak (擢) was named a first-class founding merit subject for being the first to propose Yi Seong-gye's enthronement in 1392. If his elder brother Jeong Chong helped with prose, he contributed through political decision, and two brothers both becoming first-class merit subjects is rare. This honor became a basis for the clan's standing as a notable family in Joseon.
In 1396 he was taken to Ming as the drafter of the memorial in the pyojeon dispute between Joseon and Ming and returned. His elder brother Jeong Chong died in Ming over the same matter, so the brothers' fates differed. He helped put down Prince Bang-gan's revolt in 1398 and became a second-class Jeongsa merit subject.
Under Taejong he served as governor of Hanseong and Gaeseong and Prince of Cheongseong, rose to right state councillor in 1422, and with the posthumous title Ikgyeong was enshrined in Taejong's shrine court. In 1405 he lost his office certificate for a homicide charge and was exiled to Yeonghae but was quickly pardoned as a merit subject. The clan's tally of one Jongmyo-enshrined subject seems to refer to him.
The location of his grave was not confirmed.
His line is classified as the Chungok branch.