Yejong of Joseon

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

• Father: King Sejo of Joseon (2 November 1417 – 23 September 1468) (조선 세조)
  • Grandfather: King Sejong of Joseon (15 May 1397 - 8 April 1450) (세종)
  • Grandfather: Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan (12 October 1395 – 19 April 1446) (소헌왕후 심씨)
• Mother: Queen Jeonghui of the Papyeong Yun clan (8 December 1418 – 6 May 1483) (정희왕후 윤씨)
  • Grandfather: Yun Beon (1384 - 1448) (윤번)
  • Grandmother: Lady Lee of the Incheon Lee clan (1383 - 1456) (인천 이씨)
• Consorts:

1. Queen Jangsun of the Cheongju Han clan^{[3] [4] [5]}(22 February 1445 – 5 January 1462) (장순왕후 한씨)
   1. Yi Bun, Grand Prince Inseong (31 December 1461 - 4 December 1463) (이분 인성대군)^[6]
2. Queen Ansun of the Cheongju Han clan (12 March 1445 - 3 February 1499) (안순왕후 한씨)^[7]
   1. Princess Hyeonsuk (1464 – May 1502) (현숙공주)^[8]
   2. Yi Hyeon, Grand Prince Jean (13 February 1466 - 14 December 1525) (이현 제안대군)^[9]
   3. Princess Hyesun (September 1468 - 5 August 1469) (혜순공주)
3. Royal Noble Consort Gong of the Choi clan (공빈 최씨) - No issue.
4. Court Lady Ki (상궁 기씨) - No issue.
5. Lady Lee (이씨) - No issue.

His full 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

Notes

See also

• Joseon
• List of monarchs of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics