For the earlier ruler, see Yejong of Goryeo

Yejong of Goryeo

Yejong of Goryeo was the 16th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty.-Biography:He was the eldest son of king Sukjong and Queen Myeongui...

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Yejong of Joseon was the 8th king 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...

 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 father, King Sejo

Sejo of Joseon

Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...

 in 1468, but was too physically ill to govern, and died a year later.

One of the most prominent incidents during Yejong's reign was the trial and death of General Nam I (남이 장군, 南怡). Nam-I was famous for having suppressed Yi Si-ae rebellion along with General Gang-Sun and others. At age 28, he was appointed to Minister of War. However, when Yejong became king, a minister named Yu Ja-gwang (유자광, 柳子光) who was jealous of Nam I accused him of treason when he found out that Yejong himself was not fond of Nam I. Yu also involved the Minister Gang Sun (강순, 康純) and initiated a trial witnessed by the King himself. They were found guilty and executed while Yu Ja-gwang was promoted to a high office and given a title of prince. After this incident, there were many cases of Yu accusing ministers who were apparently more prestigious than himself.

Biography

He was born in 1450 as the second son of Sejo of Joseon. His formal name was Prince Haeyang, but he was promoted to crown prince at the age of 8, after the sudden death of his elder brother, Crown Prince Uigyeong.

In 1468, when he was 19, his father Sejo turned over the throne, but since he was not yet 20 years old and had been physically weak since his childhood, Queen Jeonghee

Queen Jeonghee

Queen Jeonghui was Queen Consort to King Sejo of Joseon and the mother of Sejo's successor King Yejong of Joseon. Following her husband's death in 1468, she served as regent for her weak son from 1468 to 1469 and for her young grandson from 1469 to 1477...

, who was Yejong's mother, came to rule the nation instead. According to records of this era, political decisions were taken by the Queen and three subjects nominated by King Sejo.

Although his total residency was just 14 months, several incidents had occurred. In 1468, the treason of Nam I greatly influenced Joseon politics. Just before his death in 1469, Joseon started to prohibit all trade with Japan. During his residency, he granted common farmers the right to cultivate fields which originally belonged to the military.

He died when he was only 20 years old. His tomb is located in 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...

, Gyeonggido of South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

 with several other Kings' and Queens' cemeteries. After his death, the throne was not turned over to Yejong's son, but to his brother's son who became King Seongjong of Joseon

Seongjong of Joseon

Seongjong of Joseon was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.-Reign:...

.

Family

• Father: King Sejo
  Sejo of Joseon
  Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
  
   (세조)
• Mother: Queen Jeonghui of the Papyeong Yoon clan (정희왕후 윤씨, November 11, 1418-March 30, 1483)
• Consorts and their Respective Issue:

1. Han Naeng-yi, the Queen Jangsun, of the Cheongju Han clan (한냉이 장순왕후, 1445-December 1461)
   1. Yi Bun, the Grand Prince Inseong (이분 인성대군, November 30, 1461-October 29, 1463), Only Son
2. Queen Ansun of the Cheongju Han clan (안순왕후 한씨, 1445(?)-December 23, 1498)
   1. Yi Hyeon, the Grand Prince Je-an (이현 제안대군, 1466-1525), Only Son
   2. Yi Hyeol, the Prince Jalsan (이혈 잘산군)
      Seongjong of Joseon
      Seongjong of Joseon was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.-Reign:...
      
      , Adopted Son
   3. Princess Hyeonsuk (현숙공주, 1464-1502), 1st Daughter
   4. Princess Hyesun (혜순공주), 2nd Daughter
3. Choi Gwi-in (귀인 최씨) - No Issue.
4. Court Lady Gi (상궁 기씨) - No Issue.

His full posthumous name

• King Yejong Yangdo Heummun Seongmu Euiin Sohyo the Great of Korea
• 예종양도흠문성무의인소효대왕
• 睿宗襄悼欽文聖武懿仁昭孝大王