Eleventh-generation descendant of Ko Gyeong-myeong who opened the Yeonghak school in Changpyeong; pen name Chungang
| Life | 1863 ~ 1933 |
| Era | 조선 말~일제강점기 |
| Clan | 장흥 고씨 |
Ko Jeong-ju (1863-1933) was a late-Joseon official and educator of the Jangheung Ko clan with the pen name Chungang. A newspaper series presents him as eleventh-generation descendant of Ko Gyeong-myeong who served as a Gyujanggak Jikgak of the senior third rank. His old house survives at Samjinae village, Changpyeong, Damyang.
When the Eulsa Treaty was concluded in 1905 he petitioned that the five traitors be punished; when it was rejected he left office and returned home. Unlike Ko Gwang-sun of the same family, who took the path of armed volunteers, he is described as choosing to build strength through modern education.
At Sangwoljeong in Changpyeong he opened the Yeonghak school and taught English and other new subjects to his sons, sons-in-law and the children of friends; his sons-in-law Kim Seong-su and Song Jin-u studied there before going to Japan. In 1908 it was reorganized as the Changheung Uisuk, using the Changpyeong guest house as a classroom and teaching fifty students without tuition.
Sangwoljeong is known as the site of the Goryeo temple Daejaam; its name was changed by Kim Eung-gyo in 1457, and after passing through the Eonyang Kim and Hampyeong Yi families it was used for teaching by the Go family of the Hakbong line. A five-story stone pagoda moved from Sangwoljeong is said to stand at Changpyeong Elementary School.
The house passed to descendants of the Hakbong line through the daughter's side and was used for education. Samjinae is known as a hanok village in Changpyeong; please check whether the house is open before visiting.
His tomb could not be confirmed here. His old house in Samjinae village, Changpyeong, and the Changheung Uisuk marker at Changpyeong Elementary School are traces of his life.
His second son Ko Gwang-jun (1882-1950) studied at Yeonghak and then in Shanghai and Japan.