Late Goryeo civil official who ended his career as magistrate of Gangneung; art names Seokgan and Seohaong; compiler of Samhan Sigwigam
| Life | 1332 ~ 1404 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 풍양 조씨 |
Jo Un-heul (1332-1404) was a civil official of late Goryeo and early Joseon of the Pungyang Jo clan. His art names were Seokgan and Seohaong. A pupil of Yi In-bok, he passed the civil examination in 1357 under King Gongmin and held honored posts but is said not to have risen far.
Seeing the disorder of late Goryeo, he withdrew after serving as governor of the western circuit, reciting the name of Amitabha and calling himself blind before leaving office for the countryside. After Goryeo fell, the story goes, he announced that his eyes had recovered and volunteered as warden of the Sapyeong post-station, spending his days among local people.
In his last years he served as magistrate of Gangneung and died there at 73. He is known for compiling the poetry anthology Samhan Sigwigam, while his collected works Seokganjip no longer survive.
He passed the examination in 1357 without rising far, and left after serving as governor of the western circuit. He is known as a pupil of Yi In-bok.
His line runs from great-great-grandfather Jo Jin-gyu through Jo Jeong, Jo Suk-ryeong and father Jo Geon; his wife was a daughter of Kim Deuk-bae of Sangju. His younger brother Jo Un-gae is noted as maternal grandfather of the military official Seong Seung.