A Study on the political career of Jo Yeong-mu, a military officer in the early Joseon Dynasty

This study analyzes the political career of Jo Yeong-mu, who was awarded the titles of GaegukGongsin, Jeongsagongsin, and Jwamyeonggongsin in the early Joseon Dynasty, and through this, understands his status as a military officer who rose to the position of Prime Minister of Uijeongbu(the State Council). Jo Yeong-mu was a member of the northeastern defense force at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, and was selected as a Paedu(Military subordinate leader) by Yi Seong-gye. He participated in the Wihwado Rebellion and even in Yi Seong-gye’s enthronement to the throne. After that, he was appointed as a GaegukGongsin, but he was not active in the core of power during the reign of King Taejo. He gained a strong political status after he sided with Yi Bang-won in the Prince’s Rebellion. The military power of the forces supporting Yi Bang-won, including Jo Yeong-mu, was a major driving force in leading Yi Bang-won to victory in the Prince’s Rebellion twice, and after that, Jo Yeong-mu was able to receive the honors of Jeongsagongsin and Jwamyeonggongsin in succession. During the reign of King Taejong, Jo Yeong-mu became Ujeongseung(Councilor of the Right) After King Taejong ascended to the throne, Ujeongseung-Yukjo(Six Administrative Statutes)-Gaksa(All government offices) system was established, and Ha Ryun and Jo Yeong-mu served as the Left and Right State Councilors, and this political operation continued for almost 10 years. While civil servant Ha Ryun took charge of the organization of institutions and culture, military official Jo Yeong-mu was in charge of military administration and military command. This is also reflected in their concurrent positions as PanIJoSa(Head of Board of Personnel) and PanByeongJoSa(Head of Board of Military Affairs). However, in the case of Taejong’s abdication wave or the impeachment of Lee Ge-i and Min Mu-gu, the meritorious subjects and bureaucrats spoke with one voice centered on the Left and Right State Councilors, and it can be said that Ha Ryun and Jo Yeong-mu played very important roles in areas where such power relations could change. However, after the controversy over the Lee Saek epitaph in 1410, tensions arose between Ha Ryun and Jo Yeong-mu, and Jo Yeong-mu was subsequently impeached for various reasons and faced a political crisis. Jo Yeong-mu was a very loyal military officer to Taejong, and therefore he was very important to Taejong, who considered the strengthening of the king's power very important in running politics. In particular, he was in a position to exert the greatest influence in the execution of military administration and military orders, and he greatly contributed to strengthening the king's power during the reign of Taejong and relieving tensions with the Yeojin(Jurchen) forces.