Chŏng Hyŏllyong

Chŏng Hyŏllyong (Korean: 정현룡; Hanja: 鄭見龍; 1547 – 1600) was a Korean military leader of the mid-Joseon period. He is remembered for his role as a commander of a righteous army (civilian militia) during the Imjin War and subjugation of Yŏksu village in 1594.

Born in 1547 in Yesan County, Chŏng passed the state civil service examination in 1577 and entered government service as a civil official. In 1589, Chŏng Hyŏllyong was appointed Magistrate of Kyŏnghŭng in 1589 upon the recommendation of Sin Rip, and the following year, Chŏng became Magistrate of Chongsŏng. At the outbreak of the Imjin War, Chŏng surrendered to the Japanese and abandoned Chongsŏng. However, Chŏng Hyŏllyong later joined the militia forces of Chŏng Munbu and served as a commander of the central division.

Following the Battle of Paekt'apgyo in 1593, which led to the expulsion of Japanese forces from Hamgyŏng Province, Chŏng was appointed Provincial Military Commander of Northern Hamgyŏng in recognition of his service. As commander, he suppressed uprisings among the frontier Jurchens villages, including that of the Yŏksu tribal settlements. While preparing for potential conflict with the Jurchens, he suffered a severe paralytic stroke and died in 1600 after a prolonged illness.