| Hangul: | 최효원 |
| Rr: | Choe Hyowon |
| Mr: | Ch'oe Hyowŏn |
| Hangulja: | 의경 |
| Rrja: | Uigyeong |
| Mrja: | Ŭikyŏng |
Choe Hyo-won (; 20/23 February 1638 – 15 August 1672), of the Haeju Choe clan, was a Joseon military officer. He was the father of Royal Noble Consort Suk and the maternal grandfather of King Yeongjo of Joseon.[1]
There is little detailed information known about his family lineage. The names of his great-grandfather Choe Eok-ji, grandfather Tongjeong Choe Mal-jeong, and father Choe Tae-il are mentioned. However, none of them are documented in the family records of the Haeju Choe clan. It remains uncertain whether they are descendants of Choe On (崔溫), the founder of the Haeju Choe clan, several generations down the line.[1]
His father Choe Tae-il held no official position, but posthumously, he was appointed to the positions of Sukjongdaebu (숭정대부; Grand Chancellor), Uijeongbu Jwachanseong (의정부좌찬성; State Councilor), concurrently positions of Panuigeumbusa (판의금부사; Inspector General of the Treasury), and was posthumously promoted again to the positions of Daegwangbo Sukrokdaebu (대광보국숭록대부; Grand Chancellor), Uijeongbu Uiejeong (의정부우의정; State Councilor), concurrently serving as Yeonggyeongyeon (영경연; Inspector General) and Chunchugwansa (춘추관사; Royal Secretariat). His mother, Lady Pyeonggang Jang, the daughter of Tongdeoknang Jang Ji-won, was posthumously recognized as Jeonggyeongbuin . He was married to Hong Gye-nam's daughter, Lady Hong, from the Namyang Hong clan. They had two daughters and one son. Their second daughter eventually became the birth mother of Yi Geum, King Yeongjo. During his lifetime, Choe Hyo-won served as the General of the Vanguard (선략장군 (宣略將軍), acting Deputy Chief Officer of the Loyal Martial Guard.
He died on 15 August 1672, at the age of 35. After his death, his grandson, King Yeongjo, posthumously promoted him the position of Daewangbo (대광보국숭록대부; Grand Chancellor), Sukrokdaebu (숙록대부; State Councilor), concurrently holding the positions of Yeonguijeong (영의정; Chief State Councillor), Yeonggyeongyeon (영경연; Inspector General), and Hongmungwan (홍문관; Royal Secretariat) on February 18, 1734.[2]
His burial site is located at 85th spot in Jin Gwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. In the vicinity of his tomb, there are burial sites for his grandson Choe Su-gang, father-in-law Hong Gye-nam, and the Hong Gye-ung family. The burial sites of his father, Choe Tae-il (崔泰逸), and grandfather, Choe Mal-jeong (崔末貞), are situated at 10-1 spot in Bulkwang-dong, Eunpyeong-gu. The epitaph was composed by the royal family member, Prince Seopyeonggun Lee Yo-ga.[2]