Late-Goryeo official who fought Japanese pirates and was a merit subject of the Wihwado Retreat; governor of Hanseong under Joseon (posthumous title Hohui)
| Life | 1331 ~ 1414 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 초계 정씨 |
Jeong Yo (鄭曜, 1331-1414) was an official of late Goryeo and early Joseon from Chogye, with the posthumous title Hohui (胡僖). He is said to have begun as a palace attendant, but details of his entry into office are unclear. His wife was née Jo; his son Jeong Gaeng became Vice Minister of Works, and his grandson Jeong Bal (born 1389) rose to Second Minister of the Security Council. The Hohui-gong line of the Cheonhojang-gong branch is traced to him.
In 1388 he joined the defense against Japanese pirates with Jo Eon and others. In 1390 he was recorded as a merit subject of the Wihwado Retreat, in 1392 as an original-service subject of the new dynasty, and the next year again as a second-class Retreat subject.
In 1402 under Taejong he was impeached because his grandson received a post at age fourteen, but in 1407 he was appointed governor of Hanseong and later retired with his rank. When he died in 1414 Taejong suspended court for three days, sent condolence gifts and dispatched an official to mourn. Hohui-gong descendants are said to be numerous around Icheon, Chuncheon and Suwon.
Within the Cheonhojang-gong branch the Hohui-gong line is a large sub-branch spread through Gyeonggi, Chungcheong and Honam. Its name matches Jeong Yo's posthumous title, so he is commonly named its emblematic figure. The generation and lineage of the line's founder are explained differently in different sources, so check the genealogy.
The tomb location was not confirmed here.