Son-in-law of the Heungseon Daewongun who refused a baron's title from Japan after annexation; art name Wolpa Geosa
| Life | 1860 ~ 1926 |
| Era | 근대 |
| Clan | 풍양 조씨 |
Jo Jeong-gu (1860-1926) was a figure of late Joseon and the colonial period from the Pungyang Jo clan, courtesy name Migyeong, art name Wolpa Geosa, childhood name Seok-gu. A grandson of Minister of Personnel Jo Bong-ha and son of Jo Dong-seok, his great-grandfather was Jo Byeong-hyeon, who served as Grand Academician and Minister of Personnel. He was a son-in-law of the Heungseon Daewongun.
He held posts including Junior Royal Secretary, Vice Director of the Office of Special Advisors, Principal of Seonggyungwan, Vice Minister of Personnel, Director of Gyujanggak and Vice Minister of Rites. After the annexation he is said to have refused the baron's title given by Japan and attempted suicide; after exile in China he returned on hearing of the death of his second son and lived at Bongseonsa Temple.
He is also known as the one who had Sunjong's dying words dictated to him and published in the Sinhan Minbo. His daughter Jo Gye-jin married Gyu-hak, son of the independence activist Yi Hoe-yeong, and bore Yi Jong-chan. His sons were Jo Nam-seung and Jo Nam-ik.
After annexation he did not accept the baron's title and is said to have attempted suicide. Within the same clan some did become Joseon aristocrats, so choices differed.
His line runs from great-grandfather Jo Byeong-hyeon through grandfather Jo Bong-ha to father Jo Dong-seok, and he became a son-in-law of the Heungseon Daewongun.
His daughter Jo Gye-jin married Yi Gyu-hak, son of Yi Hoe-yeong, and her son was Yi Jong-chan.