Jo Eom

Jo Eom (Korean: 조엄; Hanja: 趙曮; 1719–1777) was a Korean civil minister (munsin) in the 18th century during the late Joseon Dynasty.^[1]

He was also diplomat and ambassador, representing Joseon interests to the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan. He is credited with introducing the cultivation of potatoes as a food staple in Korea in the mid-18th century.^[2]

Jo Eom was of the Pungyang Jo clan, and his father was Jo Sang-gyeong with the title of Ijo panseo (a Minister of Personnel, 이조판서, 吏曹判書).^[3] He later married a half-aunt of Lady Hyegyeong and became the great-grandfather to the future Queen Shinjeong through his eldest son.

In 1738, he passed saengwonsi , the state examination, with a low grade. In 1752, he passed high grade examination (Jeongsi) and served for the government as the Jeongeon (정언; 正言), and became Gyori (교리; 校理), administrator of Dongnae and Amhaengeosa (Secret governmental inspectors) of Chungcheong province in 1757.^[3] In 1760, he suggested to established three Jochang (조창, 漕倉, storehouse) in southern Gyeongsang province, which contributed to the economic development of the region. He also became Daesaheon (대사헌; 大司憲), Bujehak (부제학; 副提學) and Yejo chamui (예조참의; 禮曹參議).

King Yeongjo sent a diplomatic mission to Japan (Joseon Tongsinsa ) in 1764. This embassy to the court of Tokugawa Ieharu was led by Jo Eom. This diplomatic mission functioned to the advantage of both the Japanese and the Koreans as a channel for developing a political foundation for bilateral trade.^[4] He brought in a foreign crop, the sweet potato, and grew it in Dongnae and Jeju Island.

He was appointed Uigeumbu jisa (의금부지사; 義禁府知事), Ijo panseo and Jehak (제학; 提學). Soon after that, he became Pyongando Gwanchalsa, the governor of Pyongan province.^[3]

After his return to court, Jo Eom was appointed Daesagan (대사간; 大司諫) and Ijo panseo. In 1777, he was entrapped and banished to Wiwon, northern Pyongan region, by Hong Guk-yeong's faction. Later, he was transferred to Gimhae, southern Gyeongsang region, and died there.^[3]

Jo's writings and memoirs are preserved in the Haesa ilgi (Diary of Overseas Mission, 해사일기, 海槎日記) and Haehaeng chongjae (해행총재; 海行摠載).^[3]

• Father - Jo Sang-gyeong (조상경; 趙尙絅; 1690–?)
• Mother - Lady Yi of the Bupyeong Yi clan (정경부인 부평 이씨; 1690–?)
• Sibling(s)
  • Older brother - Jo Don (조돈; 趙暾; 1716–1790)
  • Younger brother - Jo Jeong (조정; 趙晸; 1725–?)
• Wife - Lady Hong of the Pungsan Hong clan (증 정경부인 풍산 홍씨; 1719–1808)
• Issue
  • Son - Jo Jin-gwan (조진관; 趙鎭寬; 1739–1808)
    • Daughter-in-law - Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨; 南陽 洪氏; 1739–1799); daughter of Hong Ik-bin (홍익빈; 洪益彬)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Jo of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍양 조씨; 豊壤 趙氏; 1764–?)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Jo of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍양 조씨; 豊壤 趙氏; 1767–?)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Jo of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍양 조씨; 豊壤 趙氏; 1770–?)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Jo of the Pungyang Jo clan (풍양 조씨; 豊壤 趙氏; 1773–?)
      • Grandson - Jo Man-yeong (조만영; 趙萬永; 1776–1846)
      • Grandson - Jo Won-yeong (조원영; 趙原永; 1779–1825); became the adopted son of his uncle Jo Jin-ui (조진의; 趙鎭宜)
      • Grandson - Jo In-yeong (조인영; 趙寅永; 1782–1850)
  • Son - Jo Jin-ui (조진의; 趙鎭宜; 1742–?)
    • Adoptive Grandson - Jo Won-yeong (조원영; 趙原永; 1779–1825); son of Jo Jin-gwan
  • Daughter - Lady Jo (조씨; 1746–?)
  • Daughter - Lady Jo (조씨)

• List of Joseon Dynasty people
• Joseon Tongsinsa

• Joseon Tongsinsa Cultural Exchange Association (in Korean); (in Japanese)
• 조선통신사연구 (Journal of Studies in Joseon Tongsinsa) (in Korean) ^{[permanent dead link ‍]}

• 1719 births
• 1777 deaths
• 18th-century Korean diplomats
• 18th-century Korean people
• Pungyang Jo clan

• Articles with Korean-language sources (ko)
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Articles containing Korean-language text
• Articles with Japanese-language sources (ja)
• All articles with dead external links
• Articles with dead external links from April 2017
• Articles with permanently dead external links