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Hwaseong Fortress.

King Jeongjo (1752–1800) was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He made various attempts to reform and improve the nation of 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 (한중록, 閑中錄), 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 Crown Prince, King Jeongjo met Hong Guk-yeong^[1] (홍국영, 洪國榮), 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.^[1]

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 (규장각), 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. ^[2] There are many books regarding the mysterious death of Jeongjo, even today.

He is buried with his wife at the royal tomb of Geonneung (건릉, 健陵) in the city of Hwaseong.

Family

• Father: Crown Prince Sado (사도세자, 1735-1762)^[3]
• Mother: Crown Princess Heongyeong/ of the Pyeongsan Hong clan (헌경왕후 홍씨, 1735-1815)^[4][5]
• Consorts:

1. Queen Hyoui of the Kim clan (효의왕후 김씨, 1753-1821)^[6]
2. Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong clan (의빈 성씨, 1753-1786)^[7]
3. Royal Noble Consort Wonbin of the Pyeongsan Hong clan (원빈 홍씨, 1766-1779)^[8]
4. Royal Noble Consort Hwabin of the Yun clan (화빈 윤씨, 1765-1824)^[9]
5. Royal Noble Consort Su-Ki of the Park clan (수빈 박씨, 1770-1822)^[10][11]

• Issue:

1. Prince Successor Munhyo (문효세자, 1782-1786), Only Son of Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Seong clan.
2. Royal Prince Successor (왕세자,1790-1834), Only Son of Royal Noble Consort Su of the Park clan.
3. A daughter of Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Seong clan^[12]
4. Princess Sukseon (숙선옹주, 1793-1836) Only daughter of Royal Noble Consort Su of the Park clan.
5. Prince Sanggye (상계군, 1770-1786), Adoptive Son of Royal Noble Consort Won of the Hong clan.^[13]

Full posthumous name

• King Jeongjo Gyeongcheon Myeongdo Hongdeok Hyeonmo Munseong Muryeol Seongin Janghyo the Great of Korea
• 정조경천명도홍덕현모문성무렬성인장효대왕
• 正祖敬天明道洪德顯謨文成武烈聖仁莊孝大王

Portrayal in works of media

Jeongjo is portrayed in five modern dramas.

• 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 Mystery of Jeongjo's Assasination-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
• Hong Guk-yeong (TV Series) - This drama is about Hong Guk-Yeong, Jeongjo's right hand.

Ancestry

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Digital Korean studies (Korean site) http://www.koreandb.net/koreanking/html/person/pki60022.htm
2. ^ National Heritage - Hwaseong
3. ^ He is given the posthumous title "Jangjo" (장조)
4. ^ Daughter of Hong Bong-han (홍봉한) and Lady Yi
5. ^ Queen Heongyeong is also called "Lady Hyegyeong" (혜경궁)
6. ^ Daughter of Kim Si-muk (김시묵) and Lady Hong
7. ^ Daughter of Seong Yun-u (성윤우) and Lady Im
8. ^ Daughter of Hong Nak-chun (홍낙춘) and younger sister of Hong Guk-yeong (홍국영)
9. ^ Daughter of Yun Chang-yun (윤창윤)
10. ^ Daughter of Park Jun-won (박준원) and Lady Won
11. ^ Also called Royal Noble Consort Yoo(유빈)
12. ^ Died at birth (1784)
13. ^ Son of Jeongjo's half-brother, Prince Euneon. After the banishing and death of Hong Guk-yeong, he is also banished for treason and committed suicide by poison.

External links

• Official site of Hwaseong Fortress