Early Joseon official who served as Mayor of Hanseong, Gangwon Governor and Magistrate of Gaeseong; posthumous title Anjeong; founder of the Anjeong-gong branch
| Life | 1357 ~ 1423 |
| Era | 고려 말~조선 초 |
| Clan | 단양 우씨 |
U Hong-gang (1357-1423) was an official of late Goryeo and early Joseon from the Danyang clan, son of U Hyeon-bo, with posthumous title Anjeong (安靖). He is honored as founder of the Anjeong-gong branch of the Danyang U clan.
He entered Goryeo office through hereditary privilege and, as Sahonbu Gyujeong in 1378 (King U 4), passed the examination and was appointed Right Remonstrator. He then served as Samsa judge, Jeonri Jeongnang, Seonggyun Saye, Jeongyo Buryeong, Jeongong Chongnang, Gangwon inspector and Grand General of the Chineogun. After Joseon was founded in 1392 he became Left Remonstrator and Pan Tongnyemunsa, magistrate of Chungju and Cheongju, and councillor of the Ministries of Rites and Personnel. In 1412 he was added to the Jeongnan Original Merit Subjects, and promoted to Gaseon Daebu he became Mayor of Hanseong, then Governor of Gangwon, Andong Grand Protector and magistrate of Hongju.
In 1421 (King Sejong 3) he became Magistrate of Gaeseong with the rank of Jahyeon Daebu. He died on the 13th of the third lunar month in 1423 at 67, and King Sejong suspended court for three days and sent 80 rolls of paper and ten beeswax candles. The title Anjeong joins "peaceable, avoiding quarrels" with "generous, content and finishing life well", and he is recorded as prudent and sparing of words. While his father and brothers suffered in the upheaval of late Goryeo, he rose high under the new dynasty and kept the family line going.
The Hanseong magistracy he held was the head of the government of Hanseong, corresponding to today's Seoul, and the Gaeseong post governed the former capital. Both were important posts that show how the new dynasty treated the descendants of Goryeo officials, and his course is often contrasted with that of his elder brother U Hong-su, who suffered political disaster. For this reason the Anjeong-gong branch is described as playing an important part in carrying the Danyang U family into Joseon.
He passed the examination in 1378 and became Right Remonstrator, later serving as inspector under Goryeo. When Joseon arose he was appointed Left Remonstrator and Pan Tongnyemunsa and kept office under the new dynasty.
He became a Jeongnan Original Merit Subject in 1412, Mayor of Hanseong, and Magistrate of Gaeseong in 1421, a course contrasting with those of his father U Hyeon-bo and elder brother U Hong-su.
The location of his tomb was not confirmed in the sources used here.
His descendants form the Anjeong-gong branch; please consult that branch's genealogy for details.