Sunjo of Joseon
조선 순조
朝鮮純祖
Heavily damaged portrait of King Sunjo
King of Joseon
ReignAugust 1800 – 13 December 1834
PredecessorJeongjo
SuccessorHeonjong
RegentCrown Prince Yi Yeong (1827–1830)
BornYi Gong (이공; 李玜)
(1790-07-29)29 July 1790
Jibokheon Hall, Changgyeong Palace, Hanseong, Joseon
Died13 December 1834(1834-12-13) (aged 44)
Hoesangjeon Hall, Gyeonghui Palace, Hanseong, Joseon
Burial
Inneung Mausoleum, Heoninneung Cluster, Seoul, South Korea
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1802)​
Issue
among others...
Posthumous name
  • Joseon: King Munan Mujeong Yeonggyeong Seonghyo the Great
    • 문안무정영경성효대왕
    • 文安武靖英敬成孝大王
  • Korean Empire: Emperor Munan Mujeong Yeonggyeong Seonghyo Suk
    • 문안무정영경성효숙황제
    • 文安武靖英敬成孝肅皇帝
Temple name
Sunjong (순종; 純宗) → Sunjo (순조; 純祖)[1]
ClanJeonju Yi clan
DynastyHouse of Yi
FatherJeongjo of Joseon
MotherRoyal Noble Consort Su
ReligionKorean Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism)
Signature
Korean name
Hangul
순종, later 순조
Hanja
純宗, later 純祖
Revised RomanizationSunjong, later Sunjo
McCune–ReischauerSunjong, later Sunjo
Birth name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Gong
McCune–ReischauerYi Kong
Monarchs of Korea
Joseon monarchs
Taejo 1392–1398
Jeongjong 1398–1400
Taejong 1400–1418
Sejong 1418–1450
Munjong 1450–1452
Danjong 1452–1455
Sejo 1455–1468
Yejong 1468–1469
Seongjong 1469–1494
Yeonsangun 1494–1506
Jungjong 1506–1544
Injong 1544–1545
Myeongjong 1545–1567
Seonjo 1567–1608
Gwanghaegun 1608–1623
Injo 1623–1649
Hyojong 1649–1659
Hyeonjong 1659–1674
Sukjong 1674–1720
Gyeongjong 1720–1724
Yeongjo 1724–1776
Jeongjo 1776–1800
Sunjo 1800–1834
Heonjong 1834–1849
Cheoljong 1849–1864
Gojong 1864–1897

Sunjo (Korean: 순조; Hanja: 純祖; 29 July 1790 – 13 December 1834), personal name Yi Gong (이공; 李玜), was the 23rd monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Jeongjo by his concubine, Royal Noble Consort Su of the Bannam Park clan.

Biography

He was born with the title of His Royal Highness Prince Yi Gong on 29 July 1790 (18 June 1790 in lunar calendar). Upon the death of his father, King Jeongjo, Yi Gong ascended to the throne at age 10 on 4 July 1800, lunar calendar.

In 1802, aged 13, King Sunjo married Lady Kim, known posthumously as Queen Sunwon, daughter of Kim Jo-sun, who was a leader of the Andong Kim clan.

Since he ascended the throne at a young age, Queen Dowager Jeongsun, the second queen of King Yeongjo, ruled as queen regent, which allowed her to wield power over state affairs. Queen Jeongsun's influence was to such extent that during Sunjo's reign, the status of Lady Hyegyeong, the mother of Jeongjo and the grandmother of Sunjo, became a point of contention. During Jeonjo's reign, Lady Hyegyeong was treated with respect and as the mother of King Jeongjo despite the fact that Lady Hyegyeong was married to Crown Prince Sado who had been forced to commit suicide during the reign of Yeongjo, which had greatly affected Hyegyeong's status due to the controversy surrounding Sado's suicide. Following Sunjo's ascension, her status was lowered and despite Sunjo's efforts to reverse this later in his reign, they were unsuccessful.[2] Despite King Sunjo's efforts to reform politics, the fundamental principles of government deteriorated. The state examination became disordered and corruption in the government personnel administration prevailed. This resulted in disorder in society and various riots broke out among the people, including the revolt by Hong Gyeong-nae in 1811–1812.[3] The Ogajaktongbeop (五家作統法), a census registration system to group five houses as one unit, was carried out in this period, and oppression against Roman Catholicism began in earnest.[4]

Korean diplomatic ship 1811

In 1811 the last diplomatic envoys were sent by Korea to Japan. Based on records of that trip, a reconstruction of the diplomatic vessel has been made for the National Maritime Museum of Korea.

King Sunjo died after reigning for 35 years in 1834 at the age of 44. He was first buried next to Jangneung, Paju, the tomb of King Injo and Queen Inryeol but later moved to Illeung, Seoul as the Feng Shui at the old site was deemed to be unfavourable.[5]

Family

Consorts and their respective issue:

  1. Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan (순원 왕후 안동 김씨) (8 August 1789 – 21 September 1857)
    1. Yi Yeong, Crown Prince Hyomyeong (이영 효명세자) (18 September 1809 – 25 June 1830), first son
    2. Princess Myeongon (명온공주) (1810–1832), first daughter
    3. Princess Bokon (복온공주) (1818–1832), third daughter
    4. Second son (1820–1820)
    5. Princess Deokon (덕온공주) (1822–1844), fourth daughter
    6. Yi Byeon, King Cheoljong of Joseon (조선의 철종 이변) (25 July 1831 – 16 January 1864), adopted son[6]
  2. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Miryang Park clan (숙의 박씨) (? – 1854)
    1. Princess Yeongon (영온옹주) (1817–1829), second daughter

Ancestry

In popular culture

See also

References

  1. ^ Bestowed in 1834 and 1857, respectively.
  2. ^ Lim, Hye Ryun (September 2015). "The changes of Hyegyonggung`s status at the time of King Yeongjo`s reign to King Sunjo`s one". 조선시대사학회. 74.
  3. ^ Seok Hwa, Kang (2022). "A Study on the Progress for the Jungju Castle Battle occurred in 1812 and the Comparison of the Capabilities of the Government Forces with the Rebel Armies". Korea Journal Central. 124. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Cultural Heritage, the source for Koreans' Strength and Dream". Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Heonilleung Royal Tomb Seoul, Korea". Exploring Korea. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  6. ^ Biological son of Grand Internal Prince Jeongye and Grand Internal Princess Consort Yongseong.
Sunjo of Joseon House of YiBorn: 1790 Died: 1834 Regnal titles Preceded byJeongjo King of Joseon 1800–1834with Queen Jeongsun (1800–1805) Succeeded byHeonjong
Categories