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Jeongjo of Joseon

"Yi San" redirects here. For the 2007 TV series, see Lee San, Wind of the Palace.

Jeongjo (Korean: 정조; Hanja: 正祖; 28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800), personal name Yi San (이산; 李祘), sometimes called Jeongjo the Great (정조대왕; 正祖大王), was the 22nd monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Crown Prince Sado and Lady Hyegyŏng, and succeeded his grandfather, King Yeongjo, in 1776. Today, Jeongjo is remembered for his various efforts to reform and improve the nation.

Jeongjo
정조
正祖
2004 portrait of King Jeongjo. Jeongjo's last historic portraits were destroyed during a 1954 fire in Busan.[1]
King of Joseon
Reign27 April 1776 – 18 August 1800
EnthronementSungjeongmun Gate, Gyeonghuigung, Hanseong
PredecessorYeongjo
SuccessorSunjo
Regent of Joseon
Tenure1775 – 27 April 1776
MonarchYeongjo
Grand Heir of Joseon
Tenure10 March 1759 – 27 April 1776
Born28 October 1752
Gyeongchunjeon Hall, Changgyeonggung, Hanseong, Joseon
Died18 August 1800(1800-08-18) (aged 47)
Yeongchunheon Hall, Changgyeonggung, Hanseong, Joseon
Burial
Geonneung Mausoleum, Yonggeonneung Cluster, Hwaseong, South Korea
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1762)​
Issue
among others...		Sunjo of Joseon
Names
Yi San (이산; 李祘)
Posthumous name
  • Joseon: King Munseong Muyeol Seongin Janghyo the Great (문성무열성인장효대왕; 文成武烈聖仁莊孝大王)
  • Korean Empire: Emperor Gyeongcheon Myeongdo Hongdeok Hyeonmo Munseong Muyeol Seongin Janghyo Seon[a] (경천명도홍덕현모문성무열성인장효선황제; 敬天明道洪德顯謨文成武烈聖仁莊孝宣皇帝)
Temple name
Jeongjong (정종; 正宗) → Jeongjo (정조; 正祖)[b]
ClanJeonju Yi
DynastyYi
Father
Mother
ReligionKorean Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism)
Signature
Korean name
Hangul
정종, later 정조
Hanja
正宗, later 正祖
Revised RomanizationJeongjong, later Jeongjo
McCune–ReischauerChŏngjong, later Chŏngjo
Art name
Hangul
홍재
Hanja
弘齋
Revised RomanizationHongjae
McCune–ReischauerHongchae
Birth name
Hangul
이산 / 이성
Hanja
李祘
Revised RomanizationI San / I Seong
McCune–ReischauerI San / Yi Sŏng
Courtesy name
Hangul
형운
Hanja
亨運
Revised RomanizationHyeongun
McCune–ReischauerHyŏngun
Hwaseong Fortress

Biography

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Early life

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He was the son of Crown Prince Sado (who was put to death when Jeongjo was 11 by his father, King Yeongjo) and Lady Hyegyŏng (who wrote the Memoirs of Lady Hyegyŏng, details her life as the ill-fated Crown Princess of Korea, and as advice and explanations for her grandson about the deaths of his grandfather and so many maternal relatives). His elder brother Crown Prince Uiso died in infancy. His mother Lady Hyegyŏng's collection of memoirs serves as a significant source of historical information on the political happenings during the reigns of King Yeongjo (her father-in-law), King Jeongjo (her son), and King Sunjo (her grandson).

In 1762, his father, Crown Prince Sado, was executed (by imprisonment in a rice chest) by King Yeongjo (Crown Prince Sado's father and Prince Yi San's grandfather) after long conflicts and Sado's years of mental illness. Crown Prince Sado opposed the ruling Noron party. He started to hate the parties of Joseon.[2] Eight years later Yi San asked to visit Sado's living quarter but his Grandfather King Yeongjo refused. So he refused to attend Crown Prince Sado's funeral. On 21 February 1764, Yi San became the adoptive son of Crown Prince Hyojang and Princess Consort Hyosun by the order of King Yeongjo.[3] Crown Prince Hyojang was the elder half-brother of his father, Crown Prince Sado. Crown Prince Hyojang though, had died during his childhood. King Yeongjo made Yi San a part of Hyojang's family because he was concerned that Yi San, who was Sado's son and successor, would be opposed. The Noron faction protested Yi San's legitimacy as the royal successor under the claim that Yi San was the 'Son of a prisoner' or 'Son of a madman' and thus ineligible to succeed the throne. This was a major source of vexation for King Yeongjo for an extended period.

After 1762 to 1777, some members of Noron attempted to depose Jeongjo for his relation to Crown Prince Sado and open the path of succession for his half-brothers Prince Eunjeon, Prince Euneon and, Prince Eunshin. His grand uncle Hong In-han and Jeong Hu-gyeom, adopted son of Princess Hwawan, were amongst them.

When he was the Crown Prince, King Jeongjo met Hong Guk-yeong[4] (홍국영; 洪國榮), a controversial politician who first strongly supported Jeongjo's accession and toiled to improve the king's power, but ended up being expelled because of his desire and ambition for power. Another helper was Kim Jong-su (김종수; 金鍾秀), despite being a member of Noron.

In 1775, one year before King Yeongjo's death, King Jeongjo was appointed regent. However, King Yeongjo did not give him any military power.

Reign

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Before Yeongjo died, Jeongjo had his coronation in Gyeonghuigung on 10 March 1776.[5] After his coronation, Jeongjo chose his spouse.[6] The first thing that Jeongjo said to his officials was that he was the son of Jangjo (temple name of Crown Prince Sado) who was executed by the former king.[7]

Jeongjo tried to empathize with his people.[8] During his second year of reign, a great drought came. During the drought, Jeongjo was nervous just like the people and did a rainmaking ritual for his people.[9] He also was deeply concerned about the continuing outbreaks of measles epidemics, and among other things supplied free public medicines in an attempt curb the death rates.[10]

Concerned about political factions, Jeongjo continued his grandfather's policy of Tangpyeong [ko] (political harmony policy) in an attempt to balance political factions.[11] By this, he tried to get rid of the parties which caused his father's death.[2]

From the first day of the reign, Jeongjo spent much of his reign trying to clear his father's name.[8] One of the first things Jeongjo said following his ascension to the throne of Joseon was declaring that he was the son of Crown Prince Sado.[12][13] He also moved the court to the city of Suwon to be closer to his father's grave. He built Hwaseong Fortress to guard the tomb. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jeongjo was always threatened by some of his officials who were against his reign. He was able to overcome these challenges with the help of Hong Guk-yeong and others.[2]

During his accession, he also issued a royal decree that his mother, Lady Hyegyŏng, be a Dowager Queen since his father, her husband, was supposed to be the King before him. Thus, she became the Queen Dowager, the widow of Jangjo. From then on, King Jeongjo experienced many turbulent periods, but overcame them with the aid of Hong Guk-yeong,[4] Kim Chong-su.

In 1776, Hong Sang-beom, Hong Kye-neung and other some member of Noron unsuccessfully attempted to stage a military coup d'état and assassinate him. Jeongjo fought the rebels who were secretly in royal palace and personally arrested his assassins. Jeongjo executed Hong Sang-beom, Hong Kye-neung, and another some member of Norons, and put to death Prince Eunjeon, Hong In-han, and Chung Hu-kyom.

Jeongjo tried to impeach Hong Guk-yeong in an attempt to stop the concentration of political power in single civil family but the impeachment failed.

In 1785 he established Changyongyeong (장용영; 壯勇營) as the King's royal bodyguards. Jeongjo had started selecting officers by competitive examination since 1782 to recruit them into the Changyongyeong unit, to replace the Naekeunwe (corps of Joseon royal bodyguards created by Taejong of Joseon in 1407), which he no longer trusted.

Renaissance

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King Jeongjo led the renaissance of Joseon, but was initially busy continuing the policy of Yeongjo's Tangpyeong ("Magnificent Harmony"; 蕩平, 탕평) policy of political reconciliation between the parties. He tried to control the politics of the whole nation to advance and further national progress.

He made various reforms throughout his reign, notably establishing Kyujanggak (규장각), a royal library. The primary purpose of Kyujanggak was to improve the cultural and political stance of Joseon and to recruit gifted officers to help run the nation. Jeongjo also spearheaded bold new social initiatives, including opening government positions to those who were previously barred because of their social status.

He cultivated knowledge of humanities and philosophy (Neo-Confucianism). He was known to be studious and well-read. Among the King's entourage, one that had a great influence and became both a great teacher and father figure for him was Kim Jong-su. Jeongjo also had the support of the many Silhak scholars who favored regal power over the parties, including scholars Jeong Yak-yong, Pak Ji-won, Pak Je-ga and Yu Deuk-gong. His reign also saw the further growth and development of Joseon's popular culture.

Jeongjo favored members of the Soron and Namin party over those of the powerful Noron faction, as a way to establish checks and balances and strengthen royal authority.

He was opposed to new fashions in the composition style of Korean writing and personally taught composition to some intellectuals and bureaucrats called Munchebanjong [ko] (문체반정 文體反正 – literary criticism/reform).

In 1791, Jeongjo got a report from Chae Je-gong that the people were having difficulty surviving by selling the fruit of their labor.[14] Jeongjo then established the new law of Shinhae Tonggong [ko] (free trade law), which allowed anyone to sell their goods at the market. This abolished the previous law of Gumnanjeonguoun [ko],[15] which reserved this right exclusively to members of merchant groups in the capital.[16][unreliable source?]

Death

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In his final years, Jeongjo arranged for the marriage of his second son and successor Sunjo of Joseon to Lady Kim of the Andong clan, daughter of Kim Jo-sun, but did not live to see his son's marriage. In 1800, Jeongjo died suddenly under uncertain circumstances at the age of 47, without seeing much of his life's work come to fruition under his son, Sunjo.[17] There are many books regarding the mystery behind his death, and speculation as to the cause of his death continues even today.[18]

He is buried with his wife, Queen Hyoui, at the royal tomb of Geonneung (건릉; 健陵) in the city of Hwaseong.

On 7 December 1899, Jeongjo posthumously became Jeongjo Sanghwangjae.[19]

Family

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  • Biological father: King Jangjo of Joseon (조선의 장조; 13 February 1735 – 12 July 1762)[c]
    • Grandfather: King Yeongjo of Joseon (조선의 영조; 31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776)
    • Biological grandmother: Royal Noble Consort Yeong of the Jeonui Yi clan (영빈 이씨; 15 August 1696 – 23 August 1764)
    • Adoptive grandmother: Queen Jeongseong of the Daegu Seo clan (정성왕후 서씨; 12 January 1693 – 3 April 1757)
  • Adoptive father: King Jinjong of Joseon (조선의 진종; 4 April 1719 – 16 December 1728)[d]
  • Biological mother: Queen Heongyeong of the Pungsan Hong clan (헌경왕후 홍씨; 6 August 1735 – 13 January 1816)[e]
    • Grandfather: Hong Bong-han (홍봉한; 1713–1778)
    • Grandmother: Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan (한산 이씨; 1713–1755)
  • Adoptive mother: Queen Hyosun of the Pungyang Jo clan (효순왕후 조씨; 8 January 1716 – 30 December 1751)

Consort(s) and their respective issue

Ancestry

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Notes

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  1. ^ After the declaration of the Korean Empire, his honorary name, Gyeongcheon Myeongdo Hongdeok Hyeonmo (경천명도홍덕현모; 敬天明道洪德顯謨), was added to his posthumous name.
  2. ^ Bestowed in 1800 and 1899, respectively.
  3. ^ Crown Prince Sado was honoured as Jangjo (장조) in 1899, during Emperor Gwangmu's third year of reign.
  4. ^ Also known as Crown Prince Hyojang, he was the elder half-brother of Crown Prince Sado, making him Jeongjo's biological uncle.
  5. ^ Queen Heongyeong is also called Lady Hyegyŏng (혜경궁; lit. Hyegyeong Palace).
  6. ^ Daughter of Kim Si-muk (김시묵) and Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan.
  7. ^ Daughter of Park Jun-won (박준원) and Lady Won. She is sometimes known as Royal Noble Consort Yu (유빈). Lady Park became a concubine in 1787. Was posthumously elevated to Imperial Noble Consort Hyeonmok (현목수비; 顯穆綏妃) in 1901, during Emperor Gwangmu's fifth year of reign.
  8. ^ She created Kkakdugi. Her husband, Hong Hyeon-ju, is a great-grandson of Lady Hyegyŏng's father's cousin.
  9. ^ Daughter of Seong Yun-u (성윤우) and Lady Im. She did not become a royal consort until the birth of her son in 1782. She died suddenly in 1786, just months after the death of her son.
  10. ^ According to the Korean calendar (lunisolar).
  11. ^ According to the Korean calendar (lunisolar).
  12. ^ According to the Korean calendar (lunisolar).
  13. ^ Died in utero as a result of mother's death.
  14. ^ Daughter of Hong Nak-chun (홍낙춘) and younger sister of Hong Guk-yeong (홍국영). She became a royal consort in 1778, but died at the age of 14 soon after receiving her title and entering the palace.
  15. ^ Daughter of Yun Chang-yun (윤창윤) and Lady Yi of the Beokjin Yi clan (벽진 이씨). She became a royal consort in 1781; it's said that she conceived, but her pregnancy was an imaginary one.

References

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  1. ^ 박상현 (5 February 2019). 화령전 정조 초상화, 전통화법에 대한 고증 부정확. Yonhap News (in Korean).
  2. ^ a b c 정조(正祖). Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  3. ^ 인정전 월대에서 친히 향을 전하다. 육상궁에 배알하고 창의궁에 들르다
  4. ^ a b Digital Korean studies (Korean site) Archived 23 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  6. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  7. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  9. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  10. ^ Dongwon Shin (18 October 2014). "Measures against Epidemics during Late 18th Century Korea: Reformation or Restoration?". Extrême-Orient Extrême-Occident (37): 91–110. doi:10.4000/EXTREMEORIENT.333. ISSN 0754-5010. Wikidata Q113053302.
  11. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Veritable Records of Jeongjo, day 10, month 3, year 0 of Jeongjo's reign". Veritable Records of the Joseon dynasty. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  13. ^ Kang, Hyungwon (3 September 2022). "[Visual History of Korea] King Jeongjo the Greats formidable Hwaseong Fortress". The Korean Herald. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  14. ^ 조선왕조실록. Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  15. ^ 금난전권(禁亂廛權) Geum Nan Jeon Kwon. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  16. ^ 역사를 통해 경제 정책을 말한다. OhmyNews (in Korean). 9 October 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  17. ^ National Heritage – Hwaseong Archived 30 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Reformative King Jeongjo Was Not Fatally Poisoned". The Korea Times. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  19. ^ Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. 태조, 장종, 정종, 순조, 익종 황제를 소급하여 높일 묘호와 황제 칭호를 의정하여 상주하다.
  20. ^ a b c Chung, Ah-young (13 November 2007). "Renaissance of Joseon King Jeongjo". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
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Jeongjo of Joseon
Born: 22 September 1752 Died: 28 June 1800
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Joseon
1776–1800 		Succeeded by
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