Eldest of the Three Parks of the East, regarded as a model of Honam literati (pen name Hachon)
| Life | 1467 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 충주 박씨 |
Park Jeong (朴禎, born 1467), courtesy name Changguk and pen name Hachon, was the eldest son of Park Ji-heung of the Chungju Park. Born at Songjeong-ri, Gwangju, he passed the saengwon examination while very young, and the Honam literati are said to have called him a model of the age for his excellent learning, refined prose and upright character. When their father died early he taught his much younger brothers Park Sang and Park U directly, bringing them to greatness.
An anecdote says that Kim Jong-jik (Jeomphilje), as governor of Jeolla, spoke with him and declared him a vessel for the state, and Honam scholars likened him to the best of the best. He died young, however, and was not widely used. A Grand Academician and three first-place passers are said to have come from his circle, and the three brothers, likened to the Su father and sons of Song China, were called the "Three Parks of the East."
His exact dates and writings are not sufficiently confirmed in public sources, so only verified points are given here. His office record and death year need checking against the genealogy.
When their father Park Ji-heung died early, leaving sons born in his old age, the eldest, Park Jeong, in effect took a father's role. He pursued learning among Honam literati such as Choe San-du and is said to have passed that scholarly tradition to Sang and U.
Despite Kim Jong-jik's praise, Park Jeong died early. Yet his two brothers opened a path for the literati against the old merit ministers, and his nephew Park Sun rose to Chief State Councillor, making the family a center of the Honam scholarly line. Posterity remembers him as the first of the three brothers.
The tomb location was not confirmed.