Jungjong of Joseon
Encyclopedia
Jungjong of Joseon
(1488 – 1544, r.1506–1544), born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea
. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun
, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.
Jungjong worked hard to wipe out the remnants of the Yeonsangun era by reopening the Seonggyungwan
, royal university, and Office of Censors, which criticizes inappropriate actions of the king. However, during the early days of his reign, Jungjong could not exert regal authority freely because those who put him on the throne exercised immense power. When the three main leaders of coup died of old age and natural causes eight years later, Jungjong began to assert his authority and carried out a large-scale reformation of the government with help of Jo Gwang-jo and other Sarim
scholars.
Jo Gwang-jo strengthened local autonomy by establishing a self-governing system called Hyang'yak
, promulgated Confucian writings by translating them in Korean hangul and distributing them widely, pursued a land reform that would distribute land more equally between the rich and poor, and introduced a supplmentary system for recruiting talents to the government. He also believed that any talented people including slaves should be appointed as officials regardless of social status. As Inspector General, he enforced the laws strictly so that no official dared to receive a bribe or exploit the local populace during this time according to Annals of the Joseon Dynasty.
However, the reforms faced much opposition from conservative nobles who led the coup in 1506 that placed Jungjong in power. After four short years of reformist agenda, Jungjong abruptly abandoned Jo Gwang-jo's programs because he either lost confidence in Jo's programs or feared that Jo was becoming too powerful. While Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo shared the reformist agenda, Jungjong was also chielfy interested in solidifying royal authority whereas the latter was more concerned with neo-Confucian ideology, according to which those who rule must be a virtuous example to the rest. Finally in November 1519, when conservative officials slandered Jo Gwang-jo to be disloyal by writing "Jo will become the king" (주초위왕, 走肖爲王) with honey on leaves so that caterpillars left behind the same phrase as if in supernatural manifestation, Jungjong executed Jo Gwang-jo on charge of factionalism and exiled many of his followers, abruptly abandoning his reforms. This incident is known as the Third Literati Purge of 1519 or Gimyo massacre of scholars.
, did not have a son until later. Injong
would later be declared the crown prince. His uncle Yoon Im competed for power with the Queen Munejeong's brothers, Yoon Won-hyeong and Yoon Wonro. Many officials and scholars gathered around the two centers of power and each group developed into separate political factions. Yoon Im's faction became known as ‘Greater Yoon’ and the Yoon brothers' faction as ‘Lesser Yoon’. Their conflict led to the Fourth Literati Purge of 1545
after Jungjong's death.
As the dynasty weakened as a consequence of the continual internal conflict, foreign powers driven away by earlier monarchs returned with much greater effect. Wokou
pirates and privateers often plundered southern coastal regions, while the Jurchens
attacked the northern frontier numerous times, bleeding the army dry.
In the early days of reform, Jungjong encouraged the publishing of many books; but publications declined dramatically after the literati purge in 1519. He also tried to improve self-government of local areas and succeeded in reforming the civil service examination. In the latter days of his reign, he realized the importance of defense and encouraged military service.
Jungjong is also known for appointing Jang Geum
as one of his personal doctors. Never in Korean history had a woman become a royal physician. It is also worth noting that since Jungjong's reign, Korea has never had a female royal or presidential physician, even to this day.
. He is also portrayed (albeit in an almost minor role) in the TV series "Ladies of the Palace," or "Yeoin Cheonha" ("Woman of the World") This drama portrays the women of the era pulling the strings and highlights the rivalry between Queen Munjeong and the royal concubines. In all three dramas, he is portrayed as a righteous man who wants the best for the people of Joeseon but is always being persuaded by his officials.
He is also portrayed briefly in the TV series The King and I
most recently.
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
(1488 – 1544, r.1506–1544), born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun
Yeonsangun of Joseon
Yeonsan-gun , born Yi Yung, was the 10th king of Korea's Joseon Dynasty. He was the eldest son of Seongjong by his second wife, Lady Yoon. He is often considered the worst tyrant in Joseon Dynasty, notorious for launching two bloody purges of the seonbi elite...
, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.
Jo Gwang-jo's reforms
On the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers belonging to the coup leaders surrounded the house of his half-brother Grand Prince Jinseong. He was about to kill himself, thinking that Yeonsangun was finally going to kill him; but, dissuaded by his wife, Grand Prince Jinseong found himself becoming the eleventh king of Joseon Dynasty, or King Jungjong.Jungjong worked hard to wipe out the remnants of the Yeonsangun era by reopening the Seonggyungwan
Seonggyungwan
Sungkyunkwan, also called Taehak , was the foremost education institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties.- History :...
, royal university, and Office of Censors, which criticizes inappropriate actions of the king. However, during the early days of his reign, Jungjong could not exert regal authority freely because those who put him on the throne exercised immense power. When the three main leaders of coup died of old age and natural causes eight years later, Jungjong began to assert his authority and carried out a large-scale reformation of the government with help of Jo Gwang-jo and other Sarim
Sarim
The Sarim , or "forest of scholars," was a powerful faction of literati that dominated Middle and Late Joseon politics.-Early beginning:...
scholars.
Jo Gwang-jo strengthened local autonomy by establishing a self-governing system called Hyang'yak
Hyang'yak
In the history of Korea Hyang’yak was a contractual arrangement that allowed for a degree of local government.During the rule of Chungjong , this contract was enforced by the local level officials; specific details were circulated in text and operated as an informal common law...
, promulgated Confucian writings by translating them in Korean hangul and distributing them widely, pursued a land reform that would distribute land more equally between the rich and poor, and introduced a supplmentary system for recruiting talents to the government. He also believed that any talented people including slaves should be appointed as officials regardless of social status. As Inspector General, he enforced the laws strictly so that no official dared to receive a bribe or exploit the local populace during this time according to Annals of the Joseon Dynasty.
However, the reforms faced much opposition from conservative nobles who led the coup in 1506 that placed Jungjong in power. After four short years of reformist agenda, Jungjong abruptly abandoned Jo Gwang-jo's programs because he either lost confidence in Jo's programs or feared that Jo was becoming too powerful. While Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo shared the reformist agenda, Jungjong was also chielfy interested in solidifying royal authority whereas the latter was more concerned with neo-Confucian ideology, according to which those who rule must be a virtuous example to the rest. Finally in November 1519, when conservative officials slandered Jo Gwang-jo to be disloyal by writing "Jo will become the king" (주초위왕, 走肖爲王) with honey on leaves so that caterpillars left behind the same phrase as if in supernatural manifestation, Jungjong executed Jo Gwang-jo on charge of factionalism and exiled many of his followers, abruptly abandoning his reforms. This incident is known as the Third Literati Purge of 1519 or Gimyo massacre of scholars.
Rule of in-laws
After Jo Gwang-jo's fall, King Jungjong never had the chance to rule on his own. His reign was marked by tumultous struggle among various conservative factions, each of them backed by one of the King's queens or concubines. In 1524 the conservative factions collided with each other, one faction deposing the corrupt official Kim Anro. Kim Anro's followers took their revenge in 1527 by intriguing against Consort Park, one of the King's concubines, which led to her execution along with her son Prince Bokseong. Kim Anro came back to power and took revenge on his enemies until he was removed from government and then executed by the new queen's brothers, Yun Wonro and Yun Wonhyeong. However, Yun Im, ally of Kim Anro, was able to keep his nephew as crown prince since the new queen, Queen MunjeongQueen Munjeong
Queen Munjeong was the wife of King Jungjong of Joseon.She was of the Papyeong Yun clan. She was regent for her son King Myeongjong when he was still too young to rule by himself until 1565. Known as a good administrator, she continued to rule even after he reached the age of majority...
, did not have a son until later. Injong
Injong of Joseon
King Injong of Joseon was the 12th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. His father was King Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Janggyeong, whose brother was Yun Im...
would later be declared the crown prince. His uncle Yoon Im competed for power with the Queen Munejeong's brothers, Yoon Won-hyeong and Yoon Wonro. Many officials and scholars gathered around the two centers of power and each group developed into separate political factions. Yoon Im's faction became known as ‘Greater Yoon’ and the Yoon brothers' faction as ‘Lesser Yoon’. Their conflict led to the Fourth Literati Purge of 1545
Korean Literati Purges
The term "Literati purges" is a translation of Korean term sahwa by Edward W. Wagner, Harvard professor of Korean history. Sahwa literally means "seonbi's calamity" and refers to a series of political purges in late 15th and 16th century, in which Sarim scholars suffered persecution at the hands...
after Jungjong's death.
As the dynasty weakened as a consequence of the continual internal conflict, foreign powers driven away by earlier monarchs returned with much greater effect. Wokou
Wokou
Wokou , which literally translates as "Japanese pirates" in English, were pirates of varying origins who raided the coastlines of China and Korea from the 13th century onwards...
pirates and privateers often plundered southern coastal regions, while the Jurchens
Jurchens
The Jurchens were a Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century, when they adopted the name Manchu...
attacked the northern frontier numerous times, bleeding the army dry.
Assessment
Jungjong was a good and able administrator especially during the reform period led by Jo Gwang-jo. However, historians judge that he was a fundamentally weak king due to circumstances of his ascension to throne, too easily swayed by both Jo Gwang-jo and conservative ministers who placed him on the throne. Sometimes he was seen as a tragic figure who never wanted to be a king but was forced to become one and depose his loving queen under the pressure of the coup leaders, who killed her father during the coup. More recently, some historians have suggested that Jungjong was not actually manipulated by his ministers and in-laws, but rather used them to get rid of one another to strengthen regal authority albeit not so successfully. In either case, his reign was marred by much confusion, violence, corruption, and court intrigues. He has been especially criticized for allowing the Third Literati Purge of 1519 and executing Jo Gwang-jo and others on framed charges.In the early days of reform, Jungjong encouraged the publishing of many books; but publications declined dramatically after the literati purge in 1519. He also tried to improve self-government of local areas and succeeded in reforming the civil service examination. In the latter days of his reign, he realized the importance of defense and encouraged military service.
Jungjong is also known for appointing Jang Geum
Jang Geum
Jang Geum was reputedly the only female Royal Physician in Korean history. She was mentioned about seven times in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, albeit with very vague and sketchy details. It is known, however, that King Jungjong was pleased with Jang Geum's medical knowledge and trusted her...
as one of his personal doctors. Never in Korean history had a woman become a royal physician. It is also worth noting that since Jungjong's reign, Korea has never had a female royal or presidential physician, even to this day.
Family
- Father: King SeongjongSeongjong of JoseonSeongjong of Joseon was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.-Reign:...
(성종) - Mother: Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (정현왕후 윤씨)
- Consorts:
- Queen Dangyeong of the Seongeun Shin clan (단경왕후 신씨)
- Queen Janggyeong of the Papyeong Yun clan (장경왕후 윤씨)
- Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clanQueen MunjeongQueen Munjeong was the wife of King Jungjong of Joseon.She was of the Papyeong Yun clan. She was regent for her son King Myeongjong when he was still too young to rule by himself until 1565. Known as a good administrator, she continued to rule even after he reached the age of majority...
(문정왕후 윤씨) - Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan (경빈 박씨, ?-May 23, 1533)
- Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Hong clan (희빈 홍씨, 1494–1581)
- Royal Noble Consort Chang of the Ansan Ahn clan (창빈 안씨, 1499–1549)
- Hong Suk-ui (숙의 홍씨)
- Lee Suk-ui (숙의 이씨)
- Na Suk-ui (숙의 나씨)
- Lee So-won (숙원 이씨)
- Kim Suk-won (숙원 김씨)
- Issue:
- Royal Prince Successor (왕세자)Injong of JoseonKing Injong of Joseon was the 12th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. His father was King Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Janggyeong, whose brother was Yun Im...
, Only son of Queen Janggyeong of the Papyeong Yun clan. - Grand Prince Gyeongwon (경원대군)Myeongjong of JoseonKing Myeongjong was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Munjeong, who was Jungjong's third queen....
, Only son of Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan. - Prince Bokseong(복성군), Only son of Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan.
- Prince Geumwon (금원군), 1st son of Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Hong clan.
- Prince Bongseong (봉성군), 2nd son of Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Hong clan.
- Prince Yeongyang (영양군), 1st son of Royal Noble Consort Chang of the Ansan Ahn clan.
- Prince Deokheung (덕흥군), 2nd son of Royal Noble Consort Chang of the Ansan Ahn clan.
- Prince Haean (해안군), Only son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Deokyang (덕양군), Only son of Lee Suk-ui.
- Princess Hyohye (효혜공주), Only daughter of Queen Janggyeong of the Papyeong Yun clan.
- Princess Uihye (의혜공주), 1st daughter of Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan.
- Princess Hyosun (효순공주), 2nd daughter of Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan.
- Princess Gyeonghyeon (경현공주), 3rd daughter of Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan.
- Princess Insun (인순공주), 4th daughter of Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan.
- Princess Hyesun (혜순옹주), 1st daughter of Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan.
- Princess Hyejeong (혜정공주), 2nd daughter of Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Park clan.
- Princess Jeongsin (정신옹주), Only daughter of Royal Noble Consort Chang of the Ahn clan.
- Princess Jeongsun (정순옹주), 1st daughter of Lee Suk-won.
- Princess Hyojeong (효정옹주), 2nd daughter of Lee Suk-won.
- Princess Sukjeong (숙정옹주), Only daughter of Kim Suk-won.
His full posthumous name
- King Jungjong Gonghee Hwimun Somu Heumin Seonghyo the Great of Korea
- 중종공희휘문소무흠인성효대왕
- 中宗恭僖徽文昭武欽仁誠孝大王
Modern depiction
Jungjong appears in many Korean TV drama programs, most notably in recent times in the dramas Hwang Jin-i and Dae Jang GeumDae Jang Geum
Dae Jang Geum is a 2003 epic South Korean television series directed by Lee Byung Hoon and produced by MBC. Starring Lee Young Ae, it tells the tale of an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become the king's first female physician...
. He is also portrayed (albeit in an almost minor role) in the TV series "Ladies of the Palace," or "Yeoin Cheonha" ("Woman of the World") This drama portrays the women of the era pulling the strings and highlights the rivalry between Queen Munjeong and the royal concubines. In all three dramas, he is portrayed as a righteous man who wants the best for the people of Joeseon but is always being persuaded by his officials.
He is also portrayed briefly in the TV series The King and I
The King and I (TV series)
The King and I is a South Korean historical drama series that aired on SBS in 2007-2008. It began airing on August 27, 2007, and was moderately successful, having its ratings peak at 20%...
most recently.