About Ko Tŭkchong
Born 1388. Ko Tŭkchong was a Korean diplomat.
Ko Tŭkchong (; 1388–1452) was a Korean scholar-official of the Joseon period in the 14th century.
He was also diplomat and ambassador, representing Joseon interests in the tongsinsa (diplomatic missions) to the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan.
1439 mission to Japan King Sejong dispatched a diplomatic mission to Japan in 1439. This embassy to court of Ashikaga Yoshinori was led by Ko Tŭkchong. Its purpose was to foster and maintain neighborly relations (Kyorin diplomacy); and assistance from the shogun was sought in suppressing the pirate raids from those known in Korean as waegu or in Japanese as the wakō.
The Japanese hosts may have construed this mission as tending to confirm a Japanocentric world order. Ko Tŭkchong's actions were more narrowly focused in negotiating protocols for Joseon-Japan diplomatic relations.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ko Tŭkchong?
Korean diplomat
When was Ko Tŭkchong born?
Ko Tŭkchong was born in 1388.
What was Ko Tŭkchong's occupation?
Ko Tŭkchong was a diplomat.
What nationality was Ko Tŭkchong?
Ko Tŭkchong was Korean.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ko Tŭkchong. https://biography.guide/ko-tukchong/
MLA: "Ko Tŭkchong." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ko-tukchong/.
Chicago: "Ko Tŭkchong." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ko-tukchong/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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