Hong Chi-jung
Korean scholar-official (1667–1732)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hong Chi-jung (1667–1732) was a scholar-official and Prime Minister of the Joseon Dynasty Korea in the 18th century from 1729 to 1732.[1]
Hong Chi-jung 홍치중 | |
|---|---|
| Chief State Councillor | |
| In office 1 July 1729 – 13 August 1732 | |
| Preceded by | Yi Gwang-jwa |
| Succeeded by | Sim Su-hyeon |
| Left State Councillor | |
| In office 16 July 1728 – 1 July 1729 | |
| Preceded by | Jo Tae-eok |
| Succeeded by | Yi Tae-jwa |
| In office 12 June 1726 – 17 August 1727 | |
| Preceded by | Yi Gwang-myeong |
| Succeeded by | Jo Tae-eok |
| Right State Councillor | |
| In office 17 August 1727 – 1727 | |
| Preceded by | Yi Ui-hyeon |
| Succeeded by | Sim Su-hyeon |
| In office 18 February 1725 – 1725 | |
| Preceded by | Yi Gwang-myeong |
| Succeeded by | Jo Do-bin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1667 |
| Died | 1732 (aged 64–65) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 홍치중 |
| Hanja | 洪致中 |
| RR | Hong Chijung |
| MR | Hong Ch'ijung |
He was also diplomat and ambassador, representing Joseon interests in the 9th Edo period diplomatic mission to the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan.[2]
1719 mission to Japan
In 1719, King Sukjong dispatched a diplomatic mission to the shogunal court of Tokugawa Yoshimune.[3] This diplomatic mission functioned to the advantage of both the Japanese and the Koreans as a channel for developing a political foundation for trade.[4]
This delegation was explicitly identified by the Joseon court as a "Communication Envoy" (tongsinsa). The mission was understood to signify that relations were "normalized."[5]
The Joseon embassy arrived in Kyoto on the 10th month of the 4th year of Kyōhō, according to the Japanese calendar in use at that time.[6] Hong Chi-jung was the chief envoy.[3]
Recognition in the West
Pak Tong-chi's historical significance was confirmed when his mission and his name was specifically mentioned in a widely distributed history published by the Oriental Translation Fund in 1834.[6]
In the West, early published accounts of the Joseon kingdom are not extensive, but they are found in Sangoku Tsūran Zusetsu (published in Paris in 1832),[7] and in Nihon ōdai ichiran (published in Paris in 1834). Joseon foreign relations and diplomacy are explicitly referenced in the 1834 work.