조광조 趙光祖
Leader of the sarim faction who pursued reforms based on jichijuui during King Jungjong's reign in Joseon
| Life | 1482 ~ 1519 |
| Era | 조선 |
| Clan | 한양 조씨 |
Life & career
Jo Gwang-jo, a disciple of Kim Goeng-pil, was a civil official of the mid-Joseon period who advocated an ideal Neo-Confucian politics (jichijuui, rule by the wise). Serving as Inspector-General (Daesaheon) and Deputy Director of the Office of Special Advisers, he enjoyed the trust of King Jungjong and led radical reforms.
He pursued Neo-Confucian reforms such as recruiting new Confucian scholars through the recommendation examination (hyeollyanggwa), abolishing the Soggyeokseo (Taoist office), spreading the Community Compact of the Lu family, and promoting the Elementary Learning (Sohak). However, due to the backlash of the Meritorious Elite (Hun-gu) faction, the Third Literati Purge (Gimyo Sahwa) broke out in 1519. He was exiled to Neungju and then given poison and put to death. His literary collection Jeongam Jip survives.
Grave
Sanghyeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do