조경 趙儆
Military official who fought at Haengju in the Imjin War; third-class Seonmu merit subject; Lord Pungyang; posthumous title Jangui
| Life | 1541 ~ 1609 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 풍양 조씨 |
Life & career
Jo Gyeong (1541-1609) was a mid-Joseon military official of the Pungyang Jo clan, courtesy name Sacheok, posthumous title Jangui, and holder of the title Lord Pungyang. He passed the military examination in 1583 and served as a royal attendant and as a Border Defense Council secretary.
When the Imjin War began he fought the Japanese as defense commander of the right Gyeongsang circuit and was wounded in the side and head. He is said to have been named magistrate of Jinju and then of Suwon. Having lost his mother in 1592 and wishing to rest at home, he nevertheless became central army commander at the request of Gwon Yul, and in 1593, as Gwon Yul's assistant defense commander, won the great victory at Haengju.
For this he was promoted to Gaseon daebu but was impeached a dozen or more times by remonstrance officials such as Yi I-cheom, each case smoothed over by King Seonjo. In 1604 he was named a third-class Seonmu merit subject for the Haengju victory and given the title Lord Pungyang. Wikipedia's list also describes him as having served as Commander of the Military Training Agency.
Haengju and Merit Subject Status
He served as an assistant defense commander under Gwon Yul at Haengju Fortress in 1593 and was named a third-class Seonmu merit subject in 1604. He appears in the 2015 KBS drama Jingbirok.
Family
His line runs from great-great-grandfather Jo Gye-paeng through Jo Ji-jin and Jo Hyeon-beom to father Jo An-guk; his mother was of the Andong Gwon clan and his wife of the Yeongwol Eom clan.
Grave
The tomb location was not confirmed. (The "Tomb of Jo Gyeong" in Pocheon is described as that of a different civil official, Jo Gyeong 趙璥, so do not confuse them.)
Descendants
His father was Jo An-guk; the grandson of his elder brother Jo Gan was Left State Councillor Jo Ik. Five sons are recorded: Goeng-jung, Chi-jung, Geuk-jung, Sang-jung and Si-jung.