Pyongyang Cho clan
The Pyongyang Cho clan (Korean: 평양 조씨; Hanja: 平壤趙氏) is a Korean clan, with the bon-gwan (ancestral seat) based in Pyongyang, North Korea. BackgroundThe progenitor of the clan is considered to be Cho Ch'un (조춘; 趙椿), who lived during the reigns of King Yejong and Injong of Goryeo.[1] The clan rose to prominence due to Cho In-gyu (1237 – 1308), who rose from an interpreter to chancellor of Goryeo. His daughter, Royal Consort Cho, was married to Crown Prince Wang Wŏn (later King Chungseon). [2] When King Chungseon began his second reign as king in 1308, the Pyongyang Cho clan was listed as one of the fifteen great ministerial families (재상지종; 宰相之種; chaesang chi chong) that were eligible for marriage with the royal House of Wang.[2][3] The Pyongyang Cho clan would continue to hold influence in the late Goryeo and early Joseon eras. Cho In-gyu's grandson, Cho Il-sin, became a merit subject of King Gongmin. In 1352, he tried to eliminate the rival Ki clan but failed and was killed.[4] Three members of the clan would become dynasty founding merit subjects during the establishment of the new Joseon dynasty: Cho Chun, Cho Pak, and Cho Kyŏn. Cho Chun, in particular, would initiate land reform with the Rank Land Law (과전법; 科田法; kwajŏn pŏp) and rise to the top post of Chief State Councilor.[5] The 2015 South Korean census recorded 50,480 individuals who were members of the Pyongyang Cho clan.[6] Members
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