Sukjong of Joseon
Encyclopedia
Sukjong was the 19th king of the Joseon Dynasty
of Korea
from 1674 to 1720.
. His given name was Yi Sun. He became the Crown Prince in 1667 at age 6, and in 1674, at age 14, he became the 19th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty
.
King Sukjong was a brilliant politician, but his reign was marked by some of the most intense factional fights in Joseon dynasty. Sukjong frequently replaced faction in power with another one to strengthen the royal authority. With each change of government, which was called hwanguk (환국 換局), literally turn of the state, the losing faction was completely driven out of politics with executions and exiles. Nevertheless, the chaotic changes of government did not affect the general populace significantly, and his reign is considered one of more prosperous times.
was considered the eldest son while 9-month period would suggest that Hyojong was considered not the eldest son, following the rules that governed the yangban
class. In other words, Western faction viewed the royal family as the first of yangban class rather than a separate class for which different rules applied. The two factions were also in conflict over issue of fighting Qing Dynasty
, which was considered barbarian country (as opposed to Ming Dynasty
) that threatened Joseon's national security. Southern faction, led by Huh Jeok and Yoon Hyu, supported war against Qing while Western faction wanted to focus first on improving domestic conditions.
Sukjong at first sided with the Souther faction, but in 1680, Huh Jeok was accused of treason by Western faction, which led to execution of Huh Jeok and Yoon Hyu and purge of Southern faction. This incident is called Kyungshin hwanguk (경신환국). Now in power, Western faction split into Noron (Old Learning) faction, led by Song Siyeol, and Soron (New Learning) faction, led by Yoon Jeung. After nine years in power, Noron collapsed when Sukjong deposed Queen Inhyeon, who was supported by Western faction, and named Consort Hui of Jang clan
(also called Consort Jang or Jang Hui-bin) as the new queen. She is widely thought to be one of the most beautiful women in Joseon Dynasty, and her beauty was mentioned in the Annals
. Western faction angered Sukjong when it opposed the naming of Consort Jang's son as crown prince. Southern faction, who supported Consort Jang and her son, regained power and drove out Western faction, executing Song Siyeol in revenge. This is called Gisa hwangguk (기사환국).
Five years later in 1694, Southern faction was planning another purge of Western faction, accusing them of conspiracy to reinstate deposed Queen Inhyeon, when Sukjong began to regret deposing Queen Inhyeon and favor Consort Suk of Choi clan (Consort Choi), an ally of Queen Inhyeon and Noron faction. Angry with Sothern faction's attempt to purge Westerners, Sukjong abruptly turned around to purge Southerners and brought the Western faction back in power. The Southern faction would never recover from this blow, also called Gapsul hwanguk (갑술환국). Sukjong demoted Queen Jang to Consort Jang and reinstated Queen Inhyeon. Consort Jang was eventually executed (with poison) for cursing Queen Inhyeon after the latter died. Soron faction supported the crown prince, Consort Jang's son, while Noron faction supported Consort Choi's son, Yeonying-gun (later to become Yeongjo of Joseon
). Late Queen Inhyeon and newly installed Queen Inwon were childless.
In 1718, Sukjong let the crown prince, soon to be Gyeongjong of Joseon
, rule the country as a regent. He died in 1720 supposedly after telling Yi Yi-myoung to name Yeonying-gun
as Kyungjong's heir, but in absence of histriographer or recorder. This will would lead to yet another purge which led to execution of four Noron leaders in 1721, followed by another purge with executions of eight Noron people in 1722.
Sukjong reformed tax system and allowed the middle class and children of concubines to advance to higher government positions in provinces.
In 1712, Sukjong's government worked with the Qing Dynasty
in China
to define the national borders between the two countries at the Yalu
and Tumen
Rivers. The Japanese government recognized Ulleung Island and Liancourt Rocks
as Joseon's territory in 1696.
Sukjong's reign also saw agricultural development of far provinces and increased cultural activities including publications. He died after 46 years of reign in 1720 at age 60. He was buried in Myeongreung (명릉) in Gyeonggi province, Goyang
City inside Western Five Royal Graves (西五陵 서오릉 seooreung).
. She was buried in Ikneung (익릉) in Gyeonggi province. She had 2 daughters, all of whom died in childbirth.
She was given the posthumous title "Queen Ingyeong, Gwangryeol Hyojang Myeonghyeon Seonmok Hyeseong Sunui" (광렬효장명현선목혜성순의인경왕후 光烈孝莊明顯宣穆惠聖純懿仁敬王后).
of the Milyang Park clan (Hangul: 밀양 박씨, Hanja: 密陽 朴氏), and entered the royal court as a gungnyeo
. In 1698, on the fourth day of the eleventh month of the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Sukjong, she was made a royal concubine with the rank of Suk-won. In 1699, on the twenty-third day of the tenth month in the twenty-fifth year of King Sukjong's reign, she was elevated to the rank of Suk-ui after giving birth to a son (Prince Yeonryeong), and in 1702, on the eighteenth day of the tenth month in the twenty-eighth year of King Sukjong's reign, she was elevated to the rank of Myeong-bin. She died in 1703, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the twenty-ninth year of King Sukjong's reign.
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...
of 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...
from 1674 to 1720.
Biography
King Sukjong was born on 15 August 1661 to King Hyeonjong and Queen Myeongseong at Changdeok PalaceChangdeokgung
Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Because of its location east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung, with Changgyeonggung,...
. His given name was Yi Sun. He became the Crown Prince in 1667 at age 6, and in 1674, at age 14, he became the 19th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty
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...
.
King Sukjong was a brilliant politician, but his reign was marked by some of the most intense factional fights in Joseon dynasty. Sukjong frequently replaced faction in power with another one to strengthen the royal authority. With each change of government, which was called hwanguk (환국 換局), literally turn of the state, the losing faction was completely driven out of politics with executions and exiles. Nevertheless, the chaotic changes of government did not affect the general populace significantly, and his reign is considered one of more prosperous times.
Factional Fightings
In the early years of Sukjong's reign, the Southern faction and Western faction clashed over Royal Funeral Dispute, a seemingly minor issue regarding mourning period for Queen Insun. The Southern faction claimed that mourning period should last one year while Western faction argued for a nine-month mourning period. A one-year mourning period meant that Hyojong of JoseonHyojong of Joseon
King Hyojong was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for expedition to Manchu Qing dynasty and his campaigns against the Russian Empire by the request of Qing Dynasty...
was considered the eldest son while 9-month period would suggest that Hyojong was considered not the eldest son, following the rules that governed the yangban
Yangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
class. In other words, Western faction viewed the royal family as the first of yangban class rather than a separate class for which different rules applied. The two factions were also in conflict over issue of fighting Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, which was considered barbarian country (as opposed to Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
) that threatened Joseon's national security. Southern faction, led by Huh Jeok and Yoon Hyu, supported war against Qing while Western faction wanted to focus first on improving domestic conditions.
Sukjong at first sided with the Souther faction, but in 1680, Huh Jeok was accused of treason by Western faction, which led to execution of Huh Jeok and Yoon Hyu and purge of Southern faction. This incident is called Kyungshin hwanguk (경신환국). Now in power, Western faction split into Noron (Old Learning) faction, led by Song Siyeol, and Soron (New Learning) faction, led by Yoon Jeung. After nine years in power, Noron collapsed when Sukjong deposed Queen Inhyeon, who was supported by Western faction, and named Consort Hui of Jang clan
Jang Hui-bin
Lady Jang Hui-bin is one of the best known royal concubines of the Joseon Dynasty.-Biography:She was the daughter of Jang Hyeong and Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan, her personal name was Jang Ok-jeong .Ok-jeong became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Dowager Jangnyeol at the recommendation of...
(also called Consort Jang or Jang Hui-bin) as the new queen. She is widely thought to be one of the most beautiful women in Joseon Dynasty, and her beauty was mentioned in the Annals
Annals of Joseon Dynasty
The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty are the annual records of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, which were kept from 1413 to 1865. The annals, or sillok, comprise 1,893 volumes and are thought to cover the longest continual period of a single dynasty in the world...
. Western faction angered Sukjong when it opposed the naming of Consort Jang's son as crown prince. Southern faction, who supported Consort Jang and her son, regained power and drove out Western faction, executing Song Siyeol in revenge. This is called Gisa hwangguk (기사환국).
Five years later in 1694, Southern faction was planning another purge of Western faction, accusing them of conspiracy to reinstate deposed Queen Inhyeon, when Sukjong began to regret deposing Queen Inhyeon and favor Consort Suk of Choi clan (Consort Choi), an ally of Queen Inhyeon and Noron faction. Angry with Sothern faction's attempt to purge Westerners, Sukjong abruptly turned around to purge Southerners and brought the Western faction back in power. The Southern faction would never recover from this blow, also called Gapsul hwanguk (갑술환국). Sukjong demoted Queen Jang to Consort Jang and reinstated Queen Inhyeon. Consort Jang was eventually executed (with poison) for cursing Queen Inhyeon after the latter died. Soron faction supported the crown prince, Consort Jang's son, while Noron faction supported Consort Choi's son, Yeonying-gun (later to become Yeongjo of Joseon
Yeongjo of Joseon
Yeongjo was the twenty-first king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was the second son of Sukjong by Lady Suk-bin of the Choi clan , succeeded his older brother Gyeongjong.-Reign:...
). Late Queen Inhyeon and newly installed Queen Inwon were childless.
In 1718, Sukjong let the crown prince, soon to be Gyeongjong of Joseon
Gyeongjong of Joseon
Gyeongjong was the 20th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the son of Sukjong by Jang Hui-bin.In 1690, Gyeongjong's designation as heir to the throne precipitated a struggle between the Noron and the Soron faction, which supported Gyeongjong of Joseon...
, rule the country as a regent. He died in 1720 supposedly after telling Yi Yi-myoung to name Yeonying-gun
Yeongjo of Joseon
Yeongjo was the twenty-first king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was the second son of Sukjong by Lady Suk-bin of the Choi clan , succeeded his older brother Gyeongjong.-Reign:...
as Kyungjong's heir, but in absence of histriographer or recorder. This will would lead to yet another purge which led to execution of four Noron leaders in 1721, followed by another purge with executions of eight Noron people in 1722.
Sukjong reformed tax system and allowed the middle class and children of concubines to advance to higher government positions in provinces.
In 1712, Sukjong's government worked with the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
to define the national borders between the two countries at the Yalu
Yalu River
The Yalu River or the Amnok River is a river on the border between North Korea and the People's Republic of China....
and Tumen
Tumen River
The Tumen River is a 521 km-long river that serves as part of the boundary between China, North Korea, and Russia, rising in Mount Baekdu and flowing into the Sea of Japan....
Rivers. The Japanese government recognized Ulleung Island and Liancourt Rocks
Liancourt Rocks
The Liancourt Rocks, also known as Dokdo or Tokto in Korean or in Japanese, are a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan . Sovereignty over the islets is disputed between Japan and South Korea...
as Joseon's territory in 1696.
Sukjong's reign also saw agricultural development of far provinces and increased cultural activities including publications. He died after 46 years of reign in 1720 at age 60. He was buried in Myeongreung (명릉) in Gyeonggi province, Goyang
Goyang
Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Goyang includes the new city of Ilsan, which is connected to Seoul via Seoul Subway Line 3. Goyang is bordered by Seoul to the south; walls of the Bukhan Mountain Fortress lie along a small portion of this border.Several institutions of higher...
City inside Western Five Royal Graves (西五陵 서오릉 seooreung).
Family
- Father: King HyeonjongHyeonjong of JoseonKing Hyeonjong of Joseon was the 18th monarch of the Korean Joseon Dynasty, reigning from 1659 to 1675. His reign was mostly marked by heavy conflict among nation's political factions on various issues, especially on funeral issues.-Background:...
(현종) - Mother: Queen Myeongseong of the Kim clan (명성왕후 김씨)
- Consorts:
- Queen Ingyeong of the Kim clan (인경왕후 김씨)
- Queen InhyeonQueen InhyeonQueen Inhyeon was the second Queen consort of King Sukjong of Joseon and one of the best known Queens of the Joseon Dynasty...
of the Yeoheung Min clan (인현왕후 민씨) - Queen InwonQueen InwonQueen Inwon was a Korean queen consort, married to King Sukjong of Joseon .Born in 1687, on the twenty-ninth day of the ninth month in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Sukjong, the future Queen Inwon was the second daughter of Kim Joo-shin and Lady Jo of the Imcheon Jo clan ,...
of the Gyeongju Kim clan (인원왕후 김씨) - Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Indong Jang clanJang Hui-binLady Jang Hui-bin is one of the best known royal concubines of the Joseon Dynasty.-Biography:She was the daughter of Jang Hyeong and Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan, her personal name was Jang Ok-jeong .Ok-jeong became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Dowager Jangnyeol at the recommendation of...
(희빈 장씨) - Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haeju Choi clanConsort Suk of the Choe clanRoyal Noble Consort Suk of the Choe clan was a concubine of King Sukjong of Joseon. She is best remembered as the birth mother of King Yeongjo of Joseon.-Biography:...
(숙빈 최씨) - Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Milyang clan (명빈 박씨)
- Royal Noble Consort Yeong of the Kim clan (영빈 김씨)
- Kim Gwi-in (귀인 김씨)
- Yu So-ui (소의 유씨)
- Choi So-ui (소의 최씨)
- Issue:
- Crown Prince Yun (왕세자 1688-1724) to become Gyeongjong of JoseonGyeongjong of JoseonGyeongjong was the 20th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the son of Sukjong by Jang Hui-bin.In 1690, Gyeongjong's designation as heir to the throne precipitated a struggle between the Noron and the Soron faction, which supported Gyeongjong of Joseon...
, only known son of Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Indong Jang clan. - Prince Seongsu (성수왕자), (disputed) son of Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Indong Jang clan.
- Prince Yeongsoo (영수왕자), (disputed) son of Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haegu Choi clan.
- Prince Yeoning (연잉군 1694–1776), to become Yeongjo of JoseonYeongjo of JoseonYeongjo was the twenty-first king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was the second son of Sukjong by Lady Suk-bin of the Choi clan , succeeded his older brother Gyeongjong.-Reign:...
, only known son of Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haegu Choi clan. - An unnamed (disputed) son of Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haegu Choi clan.
- Prince Yeonryeong (연령군, 1699–1719), the only son of Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Milyang Park clan.
- An unknown (disputed) only son of Choi So-ui.
- 2 unnamed daughters of Queen Ingyeong of the Kim clan.
Sukjong's consorts of note
Queen Ingyeong (1661–1680)
Daughter of Kim Man-gi and Lady Han. She was married at the age of 10 to Sukjong (at that time the Crown Prince (王世子 왕세자 wangseja)), entitling her as the Princess Consort to the Crown Prince (王世子嬪 왕세자빈 wangsejabin). In 1674, alongside with the enthronement of her husband, she became the Queen Consort of Joseon. In October 1680 (age 19), she showed signs of pox and died 8 days later in Changdeok PalaceChangdeokgung
Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Because of its location east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung, with Changgyeonggung,...
. She was buried in Ikneung (익릉) in Gyeonggi province. She had 2 daughters, all of whom died in childbirth.
She was given the posthumous title "Queen Ingyeong, Gwangryeol Hyojang Myeonghyeon Seonmok Hyeseong Sunui" (광렬효장명현선목혜성순의인경왕후 光烈孝莊明顯宣穆惠聖純懿仁敬王后).
Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Milyang Park clan
Very little is known about her. She was the daughter of Park Hyo-geon (Hangul: 박효건, Hanja: 朴孝建), a yangbanYangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
of the Milyang Park clan (Hangul: 밀양 박씨, Hanja: 密陽 朴氏), and entered the royal court as a gungnyeo
Gungnyeo
Gungnyeo is a Korean term referring to women waiting on the king and other royalty in traditional Korean society. It is short for "gungjung yeogwan", which translates as "a lady officer of the royal court". Gungnyeo includes sanggung and nain , both of which hold rank as officers...
. In 1698, on the fourth day of the eleventh month of the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Sukjong, she was made a royal concubine with the rank of Suk-won. In 1699, on the twenty-third day of the tenth month in the twenty-fifth year of King Sukjong's reign, she was elevated to the rank of Suk-ui after giving birth to a son (Prince Yeonryeong), and in 1702, on the eighteenth day of the tenth month in the twenty-eighth year of King Sukjong's reign, she was elevated to the rank of Myeong-bin. She died in 1703, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the twenty-ninth year of King Sukjong's reign.
Ancestry
His full posthumous name
- King Sukjong Hyeoneui Gwangyun Yeseong Yeongryeol Yumo Yeongun Hongin Jundeok Baecheon Habdo Gyehyu Dokgyung Jeongjung Hyeopgeuk Sineui Daehun Jangmun Heonmu Gyungmyung Wonhyo the Great of Korea
- 숙종현의광윤예성영렬유모영운홍인준덕배천합도계휴독경정중협극신의대훈장문헌무경명원효대왕
- 肅宗顯義光倫睿聖英烈裕謨永運洪仁峻德配天合道啓休篤慶正中協極神毅大勳章文憲武敬明原孝大王
Portrayal in works of media
- Dong YiDong Yi (Korean drama)Dong-Yi is a MBC Historical 60 episode drama is about love story between King Sukjong and Choi Suk-Bin as known as Dong Yi is prouced by Lee Byung-hoon who directed Jewel in the Palace .-Synopsis:...
(MBC, 2010) - he is portrayed by Ji Jin HeeJi Jin HeeJi Jin-Hee , or Jin-Hee Ji, is a South Korean actor best known for his roles as lead actor in various South Korean drama series, which include Miss Kim's Million Dollar Quest, Love Letter, Spring Day, the highly popular and successful, Dae Jang Geum and Dong Yi . He first debuted at music video of...
, famous from his role in Dae Jang GeumDae Jang GeumDae 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...
. The drama however focuses more on the role of Choi Suk-bin played by Han Hyo-jooHan Hyo-jooHan Hyo-joo is a South Korean actress and model.-Career:Han was first discovered in a teenage beauty pageant in 2003. She began her acting career in the sitcom Nonstop 5 and the gangster comedy My Boss, My Teacher...
.
See also
- History of KoreaHistory of KoreaThe Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
- List of monarchs of Korea
- Joseon DynastyJoseon DynastyJoseon , 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...
- Sukjong of GoryeoSukjong of GoryeoSukjong of Goryeo was the 15th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the younger brother of Sunjong. He married Myeongui, the daughter of Yu Hong....