Yejong of Joseon

Infobox Korean name
hangul=예종
hanja=睿宗
rr=Yejong
mr=Yejong
hangulborn=이광
hanjaborn=李晄
rrborn=I Gwang
mrborn=I Kwang:"For the earlier ruler, see Yejong of Goryeo".

The Yejong of Joseon was the 8th king of the Joseon Dynasty Korea. He succeeded his father, King Sejo in 1468, 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, 南怡). As the son of King Sejo's fourth daughter Princess Jeongsun, Yejong was Nam I's maternal uncle. 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 Ja-gwang (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 apprently more prestigious than himself.

Biography

He was born in 1450 as second son of Sejo of Joseon. Firstly his formal name was Haeyang prince but promoted to crown prince after sudden death of his elder brother Uigyeong crown prince. Therefore, he came to success next throne as 8 years old child.

In 1468 when he was 19, his father Sejo turned over the seat. But he was not yet full age of 20 and weak since his childhood. Queen Jeonghee who was Yejong's mother came to rule the nation instead of her son. According to records of these era, political decisions are taken by Queen and three subjects nominated by King Sejo.

Although his total residency was just 14 months, several incidents had occurred. In 1468, treason of Nam I was exploded in whole Joseon politics. In 1469 just before his death, Joseon started to prohibit all trades with Japanese. In his era, he announced normal farmers to cultivate in fields originally belonging to military services.

He passed away when he was just 20 year old. His tomb are located in Goyang, Gyeonggido of South Korea with several other King and Queen's cemeteries. After his death, next throne was turned over not Yejong's son but his brother's son who became next King, Seongjong of Joseon.

Family

* Father: King Sejo (세조)
* Mother: Queen Jeonghui of the Yun clan (정희왕후 윤씨)
*Consorts:
# Queen Jangsun of the Han clan (장순왕후 한씨)
# Queen Ansun of the Han clan (안순왕후 한씨)
# Lady Ki (상궁 기씨)
*Issue:
# Grand Prince Inseong (인성대군), Only Son of Queen Jangsun of the Han clan.
# Grand Prince Jean (제안대군), Only Son of Queen Ansun of the Han clan.
# Princess Hyeonsuk (현숙공주), 1st Daughter of Queen Ansun of the Han clan.
# Princess Hyesun (혜순공주), 2nd Daughter of Queen Ansun of the Han clan.

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

ee also

*Joseon
*History of Korea
*List of Korea-related topics