Yejong of Joseon

Yi Gwang
King of Joseon
Reign 1468–1469
Predecessor Sejo (Yi Yu)
Successor Seongjong (Yi Hyeol)
Born 12 February 1450
Died 31 December 1469
Burial Goyang, Changreung (창릉, 昌陵)[1]
Consort Jangsun, Queen consort of Joseon
Ansun, Queen consort of Joseon
Issue Yi Bun, the Grand Prince of Inseong
Yi Hyeon, the Grand Prince Je-an
Yi Hyeol the Prince Jalsan
Hyeonsuk, Princess
Hyesun, Princess
Posthumous name
King Yejong Yangdo Heummun Seongmu Euiin Sohyo the Great of Korea
예종양도흠문성무의인소효대왕
睿宗襄悼欽文聖武懿仁昭孝大王
Temple name
Yejong
House Jeonju Yi
Father Sejo (Yi Yu)
Mother Jeonghui, Queen consort of Joseon
Yejong of Joseon
Hangul 예종
Hanja 睿宗
Revised Romanization Yejong
McCune–Reischauer Yejong
Birth name
Hangul 이광
Hanja 李晄
Revised Romanization I Gwang
McCune–Reischauer I Kwang
This article is about the 8th monarch during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. For the 16th Korean monarch during the Goryeo Dynasty, see Yejong of Goryeo.

Yejong of Joseon (12 February 1450 – 31 December 1469) was the 8th king of the Joseon Dynasty Korea. He succeeded his father, King Sejo in 1468 at 18 years of age (19 according to Korean system), but was too physically ill to govern, and died a year later.

One of the most prominent incidents during Yejong's reign was the trial and death of General Nam I (남이 장군, 南怡).[2] Nam-I was famous for having suppressed Yi Si-ae rebellion along with General Gang-Sun and others. At age 28, he was appointed to Minister of War. However, when Yejong became king, a minister named Yu Jagwang (유자광, 柳子光) who was jealous of Nam I accused him of treason when he found out that Yejong himself was not fond of Nam I. Yu also involved the Minister Gang Sun (강순, 康純) and initiated a trial witnessed by the King himself. They were found guilty and executed while Yu Ja-gwang was promoted to a high office and given a title of prince. After this incident, there were many cases of Yu accusing ministers who were apparently more prestigious than himself.

Biography

He was born in 1450 as the second son of Sejo of Joseon. His formal name was Prince Haeyang, but he was promoted to crown prince at the age of 8, after the sudden death of his elder brother, Crown Prince Uigyeong.

In 1468, when he was 19, his father Sejo turned over the throne, but since he was not yet 20 years old and had been physically weak since his childhood, Queen Jeonghee, who was Yejong's mother, came to rule the nation instead. According to records of this era, political decisions were taken by the Queen and three subjects nominated by King Sejo.

Although his total residency was just 14 months, several incidents had occurred. In 1468, the treason of Nam I greatly influenced Joseon politics. Just before his death in 1469, Joseon started to prohibit all trade with Japan. During his residency, he granted common farmers the right to cultivate fields which originally belonged to the military.

He died when he was only 20 years old. His tomb is located in Goyang, Gyeonggido of South Korea with several other Kings' and Queens' cemeteries.[1] After his death, the throne was not turned over to Yejong's son, but to his brother's son who became King Seongjong of Joseon.

Family

  1. Queen Jangsun,[3] of the Cheongju Han clan (장순왕후, 1445 – December 1461)[4][5]
    1. Yi Bun, the Grand Prince Inseong (이분 인성대군, November 30, 1461 – October 29, 1463),[6] Only son
  2. Queen Ansun of the Cheongju Han clan (안순왕후 한씨, 1445(?)–December 23, 1498)[7]
    1. Yi Hyeon, the Grand Prince Jean (이현 제안대군, 1466–1525), Only son[8]
    2. Yi Hyeol, the Prince Jasan (이혈 잘산군),[9] Adopted son (1457 – 1494). To become Seongjong of Joseon.
    3. Princess Hyeonsuk (현숙공주, 1464–1502), 1st daughter[10]
    4. Princess Hyesun (혜순공주), 2nd daughter
  3. Choi Gwi-in (귀인 최씨)
  • No issue.
  1. Court Lady Gi (상궁 기씨)
  • No issue.

His full posthumous name

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Royal Tombs; Seooreung, Onreung, Seosamneung". Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea. 2008-06-27. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ General Nam was the son of Taejong's youngest legitimate daughter, Princess Jeongseon(정선공주), making him Yejong's first cousin once removed.
  3. ↑ Posthumously granted, as she was still the Consort Princess to the Royal Prince Successor
  4. ↑ 3rd daughter of Han Myeong-hwoe (한명회), Lord Chungseong (충성공), Internal Prince Sangdang (상당부원군); and Lady Hwangryeong, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Min clan (황려부부인 민씨). Her youngest sister would be the future (1st) wife of the next king
  5. ↑ Married in 1460
  6. ↑ Caught an illnes in October 23, which worsened the next day, and died 5 days later
  7. ↑ Daughter of Han Baek-ryun (한백륜), Lord Ang-hye (양혜공), Internal Prince Cheongcheon (청천부원군); and Lady Seoha, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Im clan (서하부부인 임씨)
  8. ↑ One of his domestic slaves, Jang Nok-su (장녹수), became the infamous concubine of Prince Yeonsan
  9. ↑ He was first known as Prince Jasan (자산군), until his grandfather's death in 1468
  10. ↑ Later married Im Gwang-jae (임광재), 1st son of Im Sa-hong (임사홍); created Military Officer Pungcheon (풍천위). His younger brother (Im Sung-jae (임숭재)) would be the husband of the next king's daughters

See also

Yejong of Joseon
Born: 12 February 1450 Died: 31 December 1469
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Sejo		 King of Joseon
1468–1469
with Queen Jeonghui (1468–1469) 		Succeeded by
Seongjong
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