조만영 趙萬永
Father of Queen Sinjeong and maternal grandfather of King Heonjong; Lord Pungeun; the figure who laid the base of Pungyang Jo in-law power
| Life | 1776 ~ 1846 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 풍양 조씨 |
Life & career
Jo Man-yeong (1776-1846) was a late Joseon official of the Pungyang Jo clan, courtesy name Yungyeong, art name Seogae, posthumous title Chunggyeong. He was a son of Minister of Personnel Jo Jin-gwan, grandson of Jo Eom who brought the sweet potato to Korea, and elder brother of Chief State Councillor Jo In-yeong. He passed the civil examination in 1813 and served as Academician, Inspector and Remonstrator, gaining a reputation as secret royal inspector of Jeolla in 1816.
When his eldest daughter was chosen in 1819 as consort of Sunjo's son Crown Prince Hyomyeong (later Queen Sinjeong), he became the royal father-in-law (gukgu). He later held ministerial posts in Personnel, Revenue, Rites and Punishments, was governor of Hanseong and head of the State Tribunal, and commanded army units including the Royal Guard and the Military Training Agency. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says the base of Pungyang Jo power was laid when the crown prince began acting as regent in 1827.
When his grandson Heonjong took the throne in 1834 he was made Lord Pungeun, and during Heonjong's reign he stood at the center of the Pungyang Jo in competing for power with the Andong Kim. In 1845 he received the ceremonial stool and staff and became head of the Royal Household Office; he died in 1846 and was posthumously made Chief State Councillor. He was also skilled in calligraphy. Assessments are divided: he is seen as the builder of in-law power, but also criticized for concentrating on the contest with the Andong Kim while neglecting livelihood issues, worsening the disorder in the three tax systems.
From Royal Father-in-law to Center of Power
After his daughter became crown princess in 1819 he held key posts, and Pungyang Jo figures are described as being drawn into government during Crown Prince Hyomyeong's regency (1827-1830). The crown prince's early death in 1830 checked this for a time, but Heonjong's accession in 1834 revived it.
Rivalry with the Andong Kim
While Heonjong was a child his grandmother Queen Sunwon (of the Andong Kim) acted as regent, and tension is recorded between her family and his maternal Pungyang Jo. Some accounts say the 1839 Gihae persecution was an occasion for the Pungyang Jo to consolidate their power.
Assessment
Accounts note his calligraphy and his reputation as a secret inspector, alongside critical views of the abuses of in-law rule. It is better to read him within the structure of in-law politics of the time than to judge him as simply good or bad.
Descendants
His daughter was Crown Princess Sinjeong and his grandson King Heonjong. With his brother Jo In-yeong he is counted as one of the two centers of Pungyang Jo power. His son Jo Byeong-gu (趙秉龜, also read Byeong-gwi) is described as Heonjong's maternal uncle and another pillar of that power.