Chŏng Munbu

Chŏng Munbu (Korean: 정문부; Hanja: 鄭文孚; 19th day, 2nd month of 1565 – 29th day, 11th month of 1624) was a Korean scholar-official and military leader of the mid-Joseon period. He is remembered for his role as a commander of a righteous army (civilian militia) during the 1592–1598 Imjin War.

Born in 1565 in Hansŏng, he passed the state civil service examination in 1588 and entered government service as a civil official. In 1591, he relocated to Hamgyong Province, where he worked in a military administration position.

With the outbreak of the Imjin War in 1592 and the subsequent advance of Japanese forces into Hamgyong Province, Chŏng organized and led a righteous army against the Japanese forces and their local Korean collaborators. He ran several successful campaigns against Japanese forces that ultimately resulted in their expulsion from Hamgyong Province. Despite these accomplishments, Chŏng did not receive significant official recognition, owing to a false report on his activities submitted to the royal court by another politician, Yun T'agyŏn.

After the war, Chŏng served in various government positions. In 1615, he resigned from his post as Magistrate of Kilju and withdrew from public life. In 1623, he was appointed Mayor of Jeonju. In 1624, Chŏng was falsely accused of being involved in a plot against King Injo and was arrested. He died from torture during his imprisonment.

In 1665, Chŏng was posthumously exonerated and granted various ceremonial titles and positions. Shrines such as Ch'angnyŏlsa in Ŏrang and Hyŏnch'ungsa in Kyŏngsŏng were established in his honor. In 1709, the Pukkwan Victory Monument was erected in Kilju to commemorate his military achievements.