Hong Guk-yeong (Korean: 홍국영; Hanja: 洪國榮, 1748 – 28 April 1781), was a noted Korean scholar and politician of Joseon dynasty who first strongly supported King Jeongjo's accession and toiled to improve the king's power, but ended up being expelled because of his desire for power.
Hong Guk-yeong and Han Myeong-hoe (during Sejo's reign) are some examples of chief royal secretaries who were the most powerful officials of their time.
Through his father, he was an 11th degree great-nephew of Lady Hyegyŏng (mother of King Jeongjo), as well as the 5th great-grandson of Hong Joo-won and Princess Jeongmyeong.
However, his sister would die out of grief after a failed cover-up of a phantom pregnancy (due to potential scandal).
He aborted the attempt after discovering that the King was taking her place at the food ceremony and tearfully confessed.