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Jeongjo of Joseon
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King Jeongjo (1752–1800) was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. Because of his various attempts to reform and improve the nation, King Jeongjo is regarded as the reformation ruler in Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo (1724–1776) and succeeded by his son King Sunjo (r.
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King Jeongjo (1752–1800) was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. Because of his various attempts to reform and improve the nation, King Jeongjo is regarded as the reformation ruler in Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo (1724–1776) and succeeded by his son King Sunjo (r. 1800–1834). He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and visionary rulers of Joseon along with King Sejong.
Early life
He was the son of Crown Prince Sado, who was put to death by his own father, King Yeongjo. His mother, Lady Hyegyeong, wrote an autobiography, The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong (???, ???), detailing her life as the ill-fated Crown Princess of Korea. This collection of memoirs serve as an invaluable source of historical information on the political happenings during the reigns of King Yeongjo, King Jeongjo and King Sunjo.
When he was the the Crown Prince, King Jeongjo met Hong Guk-yeong (???, ???), 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 for power.
Jeongjo spent much of his reign trying to clear his father's name. 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.
Accession
His era was quite in disorder as his father was forcefully killed. King Yeongjo's ultimate decision to execute Prince Sado was greatly influenced by other politicians who were against Prince Sado.
From this, he went through many turbulent times but overcame them with the aid of Hong Guk-yeong.
Renaissance
King Jeongjo led the new renaissance of Joseon dynasty. It was originally stepped by continuing policy of Tangpyeong, Yeongjo's. He tried to control whole politics of the nation for acquisition of national progress.
He made various reforms throughout his reign, notably establishing Kyujanggak, an imperial library. However, its purpose was to improve the cultural and political stance of Joseon and to recruit gifted officers to run the nation. He also spearheaded bold new social initiatives, opening government positions to those who were barred because of their social status. In Joseon Korea, a man who was born of a yangban (nobility) father and a cheonmin (low status) mother was prohibited by law by seeking government employment, because of the perceived "taint" of half-blood. Also, it was created to lessen the grip of various wealthy aristocrats and relatives of the queen, which had occurred various times throughout Korea's history. Jeongjo had the support of the many Silhak scholars, in addition to Silhak scholars aid of Jeongjo's regal power, and during the Jeongjo's reign Joseon's popular culture became advance.
Death
He got the wide historical title of innovative people in spite of having such high status in Joseon. In the era of Jeongjo, other nations had shown much progress such several civil wars. But he did not achieve further achievement owing to sudden death. He died suddenly in 1800 for a mysterious reason, without seeing his lifelong wishes realized by his son, Sunjo. There are many books regarding the mysterious death of Jeongjo, even today.
He is buried with his wife at the royal tomb of Geonneung (??, ??) in the city of Hwaseong.
Family
- Father: Prince Sado (????, 1735-1762)
- Mother: Queen Heongyeong of the Hong clan (???? ??, 1735-1815)
- Consorts:
- Queen Hyoui of the Kim clan (???? ??, 1753-1821)
- Royal Noble Consort Won of the Hong clan (?? ??, 1766-1779)
- Royal Noble Consort Hwa of the Yun clan (?? ??, 1765-1824)
- Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Seong clan (?? ??, 1753-1786)
- Royal Noble Consort Su of the Park clan (?? ??, 1770-1822)
- Prince Sanggye (???, 1770-1786), Adoptive Son of Royal Noble Consort Won of the Hong clan.
- Prince Successor Munhyo (????, 1782-1786), Only Son of Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Seong clan.
- Royal Prince Successor (???,1790-1834), Only Son of Royal Noble Consort Su of the Park clan.
- A daughter of Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Seong clan
- Princess Sukseon (????, 1793-1836) Only daughter of Royal Noble Consort Su of the Park clan.
Full posthumous name
- King Jeongjo Gyeongcheon Myeongdo Hongdeok Hyeonmo Munseong Muryeol Seongin Janghyo the Great of Korea
- ????????????????????
- ????????????????????
Portrayal in works of media
Jeongjo is portrayed in three modern dramas.
- The Painter of the Wind - he is the king who protects the artists and he also gives them their duties
- Yi San - primarily concerns his life story.
- The Ballad of Seoul - also known as "Conspiracy in the Court", this story starts from a mystery thriller evolving into a court intrigue surrounding the king and his conservative ministers.
- 8 days-a Cable series 10 episode drama, depicting mysterious events that surrounded Jeongjo when he traveled to the completed site of Hwaseong, where he planned to move the nation's capital
External links
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