Seongjong of Joseon

Seongjong of Joseon (August 19, 1457 – January 19, 1495) was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.

Seongjong of Joseon 朝鮮成宗 조선 성종
King of Joseon
Reign	1469–1494
Predecessor	Yejong of Joseon
Successor	Yeonsangun of Joseon
Born	19 August 1457
Died	19 January 1495 (aged 37)
Consort	Queen Gonghye Queen Jeheon Queen Jeonghyeon
Issue	Yeonsangun of Joseon Jungjong of Joseon
Posthumous name King Gangjeong Inmun Heonmu Heumseong Gonghyo the Great 강정인문헌무흠성공효대왕 康靖仁文憲武欽聖恭孝大王 Temple name Seongjong (성종, 成宗)
House	Jeonju Yi
Father	Deokjong of Joseon
Mother	Queen Sohye

Seongjong of Joseon
Hangul	성종
Hanja	成宗
Revised Romanization	Seongjong
McCune–Reischauer	Sŏngchong
Birth name
Hangul	이혈
Hanja	李娎
Revised Romanization	I Hyeol
McCune–Reischauer	I Hyŏl

Biography

Seongjong was the 9th King of the Joseon period of Korea. He was born the second son of Crown Prince Uigyeong and Subin Han-ssi 수빈한씨 and was then named Prince Jalsan (잘산군). When he accessed to the throne, his father (1438-1457) was elevated to the status of King Deokjong and his mother (1437-1504) to Queen Insu.

Seongjong was the grandson of Sejo, the 7th King, and the nephew of Yejong, the 8th King. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 when the weak king died and his son was too young to succeed him. In the same move, Jalsan's older brother Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1487) was recused as having a too weak complexion. [1]

Since Seongjong was only 12 when he was crowned, his grandmother Queen Jeonghee ruled the nation in his name, along with his mother Queen Insu. In 1476, at the age of 19, he began to govern the country in his own name.

His reign was marked by the prosperity and growth of the national economy, based on the laws laid down by kings Taejong, Sejong, and Sejo. He himself was a gifted ruler. In 1474, the code of law, first ordered by King Sejo, was completed and put into effect. Seongjong also ordered revisions and improvements to the code.

Besides the law, he also encouraged Confucian scholars; He greatly expanded Hongmungwan (홍문관; 弘文館), the royal library and advisory council to the king at the same time, and strengthened so-called Three Offices (Hongmungwan, Office of Inspector General, Office of Censors) as check and balance on the Royal Court. For the first time since King Sejong, he brought many liberal Confucian scholars to his court, whose political views went against those of the conservative officials (members of the nobility) who had helped kings Taejong and Sejo to power. In this way he made his rule more effective by appointing able administrators regardless of their political views. His policy resulted in many positive innovations, increasing his number of supporters. The king himself was an artist and scholar, and liked to argue about the finer points of politics with more liberal scholars. He encouraged scholars to publish numerous books about geography and social etiquette, for example, as well as areas of knowledge that benefited the common people.

It was under Seongjong's reign that the Widow Remarriage Ban (1477) was enacted, which strengthened pre-existing social stigma against women who remarried by barring their sons from public office.[2] In 1489, Seongjong condemned a woman of the royal clan, Yi Guji, when it was discovered that she had cohabited with her slave after being widowed.[3]

He also sent several military campaigns against the Jurchens on the northern border in 1491, like many of his predecessors. The campaign, led by Gen. Heo Jong (허종; 許琮), was successful, and the defeated Jurchens led by Udige (兀狄哈) retreated to the north of Amrok River. King Seongjong was succeeded by his son, Yeonsangun (1476-1494-1506) and thereafter by another of his sons Jungjong (1488-1506-1544).

Family

• Father: Deokjong of Joseon (1438 – 2 September 1457) (조선 덕종)[4]
  • Grandfather: King Sejo of Joseon (2 November 1417 – 23 September 1468) (조선 세조)
  • Grandmother: Queen Jeonghui of the Papyeong Yun clan (8 December 1418 – 6 May 1483) (정희왕후 윤씨)
• Mother: Queen Sohye of the Cheongju Han clan (7 October 1437 – 11 May 1504) (소혜왕후 한씨)[5][6][7][8][9]
  • Grandfather: Han Hwak (1400 – 11 September 1456) (한확)
  • Grandmother: Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨)
• Consorts and their Respective Issue:

1. Queen Gonghye of the Cheongju Han clan (8 November 1456 – 30 April 1474) (공혜왕후 한씨)[10][11][12][13]
2. Queen Jeheon of the Haman Yun clan (15 July 1455 – 29 August 1482) (제헌왕후 윤씨)[14][15][16][17]
   1. Prince Yi Hyo-Shin (1475) (이효신)
   2. Yi Yung, Crown Prince Yeonsan (23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506) (이융 연산세자)[18]
   3. Unnamed son
3. Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (21 July 1462 – 13 September 1530) (정현왕후 윤씨)[19][20][21]
   1. Princess Sunsuk (1478 – 14 July 1488) (순숙공주)[22]
   2. Princess Shinsuk (1481 – 13 February 1486) (신숙공주)[23]
   3. Yi Yeok, Grand Prince Jinseong (16 April 1488 – 29 November 1544) (이역 진성대군)
   4. Unnamed princess[24]
   5. Unnamed princess[24]
4. Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Andong Kim clan (명빈 김씨)[25][26]
   1. Princess Hwisuk (휘숙옹주)[27]
   2. Princess Gyeongsuk (1483 – ?) (경숙옹주)[28][29]
   3. Yi Jong, Prince Musan (1490 – 1525) (이종 무산군)[30]
   4. Princess Hwijeong (휘정옹주)[31][32][33]
5. Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Chogye Jeong clan (? – 1504) (귀인 정씨)[34][35][36]
   1. Yi Hang, Prince Anyang (1480 – 1505) (이항 안양군)[37][38]
   2. Yi Bong, Prince Bongan (1482 – 1505) (이봉 봉안군)[39][40]
   3. Princess Jeonghye (1490 – 6 August 1507) (정혜옹주)[41]
6. Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Yeongwol Eom clan (? - 1504) (귀인 엄씨)[42][34][43][44]
   1. Princess Gongshin (1481 – 1549) (공신옹주)[45]
7. Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Andong Kwon clan (1471 – 1500) (귀인 권씨)[46]
   1. Yi Byeon, Prince Jeonseong (1490 – 1505) (이변 전성군)[47][48]
8. Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Uiryeong Nam clan (귀인 남씨)[49][50][51][52]
9. Royal Consort So-ui of the Lee clan (소의 이씨)[53]
10. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Namyang Hong clan (1457 – 1510) (숙의 홍씨)[54][55]
    1. Princess Hyesuk (1478 – ?) (혜숙옹주)[56][57][58]
    2. Yi Su, Prince Wanwon (1480 – 1509) (이수 완원군)[59][60]
    3. Yi Nyeom, Prince Hoesan (1481 – 1512) (이념 회산군)[61][62]
    4. Yi Don, Prince Gyeonseong (1482 – 1507) (이돈 견성군)[63]
    5. Princess Jeongsun (정순옹주) (1486 - ?)[64][65]
    6. Yi Hwoe, Prince Ikyang (이회 익양군) (1 July 1488 - 21 January 1552)[66][67][68][69]
    7. Yi Chim, Prince Gyeongmyeong (1489 - 1526) (이침 경명군)[70][71][72]
    8. Yi In, Prince Uncheon (1490 – 1524) (이인 운천군)[73][74]
    9. Yi Hui, Prince Yangwon (1492 – 1551) (이희 양원군)[75][76][77]
    10. Princess Jeongsuk (1493 – 8 February 1573) (정숙옹주)[78][79]
11. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Jinju Ha clan (숙의 하씨)[80][81]
    1. Yi Sun, the Prince Gyeseong (1478 – 1504) (이순 계성군)[82]
12. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Jeong clan (숙의 정씨)[83]
13. Royal Consort Suk-yong of the Cheongseong Sim clan (숙용 심씨) (1465 - 1515)[84]
    1. Princess Gyeongsun (1482 – ?) (경순옹주)[85][86]
    2. Princess Sukhye (1486 – 1525) (숙혜옹주)[87]
    3. Yi Gwan, Prince Yiseong (1489 – 1552) (이관 이성군)[88][89]
    4. Yi Jeon, Prince Yeongan (1490 – 11 June 1538) (이전 영안군)[90][91][92]
14. Royal Consort Suk-yong of the Kwon clan (숙용 권씨)
    1. Princess Gyeonghwi (경휘옹주) (1489 - 1525)[93][94][95]
    2. Unnamed prince[24]
15. Royal Consort Suk-Won of the Yun clan (숙원 윤씨) (? - 1533)

His full posthumous name

• King Seongjong Gangjeong Inmun Heonmu Heumseong Gonghyo the Great of Korea
• Korean: 성종강정인문헌무흠성공효대왕; Hanja: 成宗康靖仁文憲武欽聖恭孝大王

Portrayal in media

• Portrayed by Yun Sun-hong in the 1985 film Eoudong.
• Portrayed by Hyun Suk in the 1995 KBS TV series Jang Nok Soo.
• Portrayed by Lee Jin-woo in the 1998-2000 KBS TV series King and Queen.
• Portrayed by Go Joo-won and Yoo Seung-ho in the 2007-2008 SBS TV series The King and I.
• Portrayed by Baek Sung-hyun and Choi Won-hong in the 2011-2012 JTBC TV series Insu, The Queen Mother.
• Portrayed by Choi Moo-sung in the 2017 MBC TV series The Rebel.
• Portrayed by Kim Jeong-hak in the 2017 KBS2 TV series Queen for Seven Days.

See also

• Seolleung and Jeongneung tombs

References

1. https://namu.wiki/w/성종(조선)
2. Uhn, Cho (1999). "The Invention of Chaste Motherhood: A Feminist Reading of the Remarriage Ban in the Chosun Era". Asian Journal of Women's Studies. 5 (3): 45–63. doi:10.1080/12259276.1999.11665854.. Issue Purchase: 30 days to view or download: EUR 127.00.
3. 성종실록 (成宗實錄) [Veritable Records of Seongjong] (in Korean and Literary Chinese). 226. 1499.
4. He was given the posthumous title "Deokjong" (덕종)
5. Posthumously granted, as she was never a Queen Consort due to her husband's early death
6. She was known as the "Dowager Queen Insu" (인수대비) during her son & her grandson's reigns (the latter as the Great Royal Dowager Queen (대왕대비))
7. 6th daughter of Hwan Hwak (한확), Lord Yangjeol (양절공), Internal Prince Seowon (서원부원군), and later Left State Councillor (좌의정); and Lady Namyang, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Hong clan (남양부부인 홍씨)
8. Two of her paternal aunts include: Consort Kang Hui Zhuang Shu Li (康惠莊淑麗妃; 강혜장숙여비), one of the 30 beautiful women hanged and buried with the Yongle Emperor (永樂帝; 영락제) after his death; and her younger sister Madame Gong Shen (恭愼夫人; 공신부인), one of the Xuande Emperor's (lesser-known) concubines
9. Married in 1450 as Princess Consort to then-Prince Dowon (도원군). Was confirmed as the Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor in 1455, given the title of Royal Noble Consort Jeong (정빈; later became to Royal Noble Consort Soo (수빈))
10. Died in Changdeok Palace (창덕궁), in the Guhyeon Hall (구현전)
11. Youngest daughter of Han Myeong-hwoe (한명회), Lord Chungseong (충성공), Internal Prince Sangdang (상당부원군); and Lady Hwangryeong, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Min clan (황려부부인 민씨). Her elder sister Han Naeng-yi (한냉이) was the predecessor king's 1st wife
12. Married in 1467 as (Lady Cheon-an (천안군부인)) Princess Consort to then-Prince Jalsan (잘산군)
13. Queen Gonghye’s personal name was Han Song-yi (송이, 松伊)
14. Posthumously granted by his infamous son, as she was known after her deposition on June 2, 1479, as the "Deposed Queen, Lady Yoon" (폐비 윤씨) thereafter
15. One of Seongjong's former concubines; Suk-ui rank, before Queen Gonghye died. Elevated to the rank of Queen Consort after giving birth to the first-born son
16. Daughter of Yoon Gi-gyeon (윤기견, ?-?; also known as Yoon Gi-mo (윤기무)), Internal Prince Ham-an (함안부원군), and later Chief State Councillor (영의정); and Lady Shin of the Goryeong Shin clan (부부인 신씨)
17. According to the Annals (3rd year of Prince Yeonsan's rule), her beauty was said to resemble Princess Noguk's face.
18. After his deposition on September 2, 1506, he was given the title "Demoted Prince Yeonsan" (연산군)
19. Also one of Seongjong's former concubines; also Suk-ui rank, in 1473. Elevated to the rank of Queen Consort in 1479, soon after Lady Yoon had been deposed
20. Daughter of Yoon Ho (윤호, 1424–1496), Lord Pyeongjeong (평정공), Internal Prince Yeongwon (영원부원군); and Lady Yeon-an, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Jeon clan (연안부부인 전씨). Elder cousin of Yoon Pil-sang (윤필상, 1427 – April 14, 1504)
21. Queen Jehyeon’s personsal name is Yun Changnyeon (창년, 昌年)
22. Died at the age of 10-11
23. Died at the age of 4-5
24. Died prematurely
25. Differentiated from one of Taejong's concubines with the same clan and rank
26. Is also mostly known as Royal Consort Suk-won of the Andong Kim clan (숙원 김씨, 淑媛 金氏).
27. Later married Im Sung-jae (임숭재), 2nd son of Im Sa-hong (임사홍); created Military Officer Pungwon (풍원위). His elder brother (Im Gwang-jae (임광재)) is the husband of the predecessor king's daughters
28. Her personal name was Yi Hab-hwan (합환, 合歡)
29. Later married Min Ja-bang (민자방, 閔子芳) and had a daughter and a son. Through her son, she became the great-grandmother of King Seongjo’s concubine, Royal Noble Consort Jeong of the Yeoheung Min clan.
30. Later married Princess Consort Shin of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (군부인 평산 신씨, 郡夫人 平山申氏), and had 12 children (8 sons and 4 daughters).
31. Her personal name was Yi Bok (복, 福)
32. Later married Nam Seob-won (남섭원, 南燮元) of the Uiryeong Nam clan (의령 남씨, 宜寧 南氏), and had a daughter, Nam Nan-hyang (남난향, 南蘭香).
33. She became the sister-in-law to Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Uiryeong Nam clan
34. Both women were beaten to death, in Changgyeong Palace (창경궁), ordered by Prince Yeonsan in response to the Gapja Sahwa (갑자사화)
35. Daughter of Jeong In-seok (정인석, 1424–1504)
36. Personal name was Jeong Geum-yi (금이, 金伊)
37. Married Princess Consort Myeoncheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (면천군부인 능성 구씨, 沔川郡夫人 綾城具氏) (a daughter of Gu Soo-yeong; Queen Jeongsun’s cousin-in-law) and had a son.
38. Had an unnamed concubine
39. Married Princess Consort Uichun of the Pungyang Jo clan (의춘군부인 평양 조씨, 宜春郡夫人 平壤趙氏), and had a son; Yi Gyeong, Prince Heungwon (흥원군 경, 興原君 瓊)
40. His adoptive grandson, Yi Hyeon, Prince Giseong (기성군 현, 箕城君 俔), is the grandson of his older half-brother, Prince Ikyang
41. Later married Han Gi (한기, 韓紀) (1490 - 1558) of the Cheongju Han clan. Had no issue
42. Her personal name was Eom Eunsoyi (엄은소이, 銀召史)
43. Daughter of Eom San-soo (엄산수)
44. Was known before as Royal Consort Suk-ui (숙의 엄씨, 淑儀 嚴氏), then as Royal Consort So-yong (소용 엄씨, 昭容 嚴氏)
45. Later married Han Gyeong-chim (한경침), son of Han Bo (한보) (Lord Yangho; 양호공), grandson of Han Myeong-hoe (한명회), nephew of Queen Gonghye; created Military Officer Cheongryeong (청령위)
46. Known before as Royal Consort Suk-ui (숙의 권씨)
47. Married Princess Consort Danyang of the Andong Kwon clan (단양군부인 안동 권씨, 丹陽郡夫人 安東權氏), and had an adoptive son
48. His adoptive son was a son of older half-brother, Prince Ikyang
49. Known before as Royal Consort Suk-ui (숙의 남씨, 淑儀 南氏)
50. Had no issue
51. Princess Hwijeong, a daughter of Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Andong Kim clan, became her sister-in-law through her older brother, Nam Seob-won (남섭원)
52. The consort’s nephew, Yun Nae (윤내, 尹鼐), through her sister, married Princess Gyeonghwi, a daughter of Royal Consort So-yong of the Andong Kwon clan
53. No issue
54. Originally of So-yong (소용) rank, elevated under Prince Yeonsangun to Suk-yong (숙용), and after the September 2, 1506 coup, to Suk-ui (숙의) (along with her title "Palace of Motherly Kindness and of Long Life" (자수궁; 慈壽宮)
55. Daughter of Hong Il-dong (홍일동), Magistarte Dongjijungchu (동지중추부사)
56. Later married (April 27, 1490) Shin Hang (신항) (1477 - 1507), son of Shin Jong-ho (신종호); created Military Officer Gowon (고원위)
57. Her personal name was Yi Suran (수란, 秀蘭)
58. Her adoptive son was Shin Soo-gyeong (신수경, 申秀涇) of the Goryeong Shin clan
59. Married Princess Consort Myeoncheon of the Jeonju Choi clan (면천군부인 전주 최씨, 沔川郡夫人 全州崔氏), and had a daughter
60. Remarried to Princess Consort Jeongseon of the Yangcheon Heo clan (정선군부인 양천 허씨, 旌善郡夫人 陽川許氏), and had 4 children (2 sons and 2 daughters)
61. Married Princess Consort Yeongwon of the Juksan Ahn clan (영원군부인 죽산 안씨, 寧原郡夫人 竹山安氏), and had two children (1 daughter, 1 adoptive son)
62. His adoptive son was a son of his younger brother, Prince Gyeongseong
63. Married Princess Consort Yeongyang of the Pyeongsan Shin clan (영양군부인 평산 신씨, 永陽郡夫人 平山申氏), and 3 children (2 sons, 1 daughter)
64. Her personal name was Yi Bok-ran (복란, 福蘭)
65. Married Jeong Won-joon (정원준, 鄭元俊) of the Bonghwa Jeong clan (봉화 정씨, 奉化 鄭氏), and had a son; Jeong Eung (정응, 鄭譍) (1504 - ?)
66. Married Princess Consort Suncheon of the Yeonil Jeong clan (순천군부인 영일 정씨, 順川郡夫人 迎日鄭氏), and had 7 children (4 sons and 3 daughters)
67. His third son, Yi Su-rin, Prince Hwangyang (황양군 수린, 荒壤君 壽麟), married Queen Insun’s cousin, Lady Sim of the Cheongseong Sim clan
68. His second son, Yi Su-gi, Prince Gwangcheon (광천군 수기, 廣川君 壽麒), became the adoptive son of his older half-brother, Prince Jeonseong
69. With a concubine from the Hwasun Choi clan (화순 최씨), he had 2 sons
70. Married Princess Consort Kangyang of the Papyeong Yun clan (강양군부인 파평 윤씨, 江陽郡夫人 坡平尹氏), and had 4 children (2 daughters, 2 sons)
71. His grandson (from his second son), Yi Jeong, Yeongcheon (영천군 정, 靈川君 侹), became the adoptive son of Prince Yangwon’s (his younger brother) son, Yi Su-ryeon, Prince Hamnyeong (함녕군 수련, 咸寧君 壽鍊)
72. One of his grandsons from his second son became the adoptive son of King Jungjong’s sixth son
73. Married Princess Consort Hakseong of the Andong Kwon clan (학성군부인 안동 권씨, 鶴城郡夫人 安東權氏) (1 January 1489 - 4 September 1565), and 5 children (4 daughters, 1 adoptive son)
74. His adoptive son is the second son of his older half-brother, Prince Wanwon
75. Married Princess Consort Mooncheon of the Pungyang Jo clan (문천군부인 풍양 조씨, 文川郡夫人 豊壤趙氏) (? - 14 December 1517)
76. Remarried to Princess Consort Yanggeun of the Munhwa Yu clan (양근군부인 문화 유씨, 楊根郡夫人 文化柳氏) (? - 4 June 1527), and had a son; Yi Su-seon, Prince Hamnyeong (함녕군 수선, 咸寧君 壽璿) (24 March 1524 - 12 January 1579)
77. With 3 concubines, he had 11 children (3 sons, 8 daughters)
78. Her personal name was Yi Yeo-ran (여란, 如蘭)
79. Married Yun Seob (윤섭, 尹燮) (1492 - 1516), and an adoptive son; Yun Ji-ham (윤지함, 尹之諴) (1518 - 1547), son of Yun Yeob (윤엽)
80. Daughter of Ha Yeon (하연)
81. Known before as Court Lady Ha (궁인 하씨), then as Royal Consort Suk-won (숙원 하씨)
82. Married Princess Consort Ahnseong of the Wonju Won clan (안성군부인 원주 원씨, 安城郡夫人 原州元氏), and had an adoptive son; Yi Yu, Prince Gyerim (계림군 유, 桂林君 瑠), son of Prince Wolsan (Queen Insu’s son)
83. No issue
84. Known before as Royal Consort Suk-won (숙원 심씨, 淑媛 沈氏)
85. Her personal name was Yi Ok-hwan (옥환, 玉環)
86. Married Nam Chi-won (남치원, 南致元), and had a son, Nam Gi (남기, 南沂)
87. Married Jo Mu-kang (조무강, 趙無疆) (1488 - 1541) of the Pungyang Jo clan, and had a son, Jo Yeon-sun (조연손, 趙連孫)
88. Married Princess Consort Gonsan of the Nampyeong Moon clan (곤산군부인 남평 문씨, 昆山郡夫人 南平文氏); no issue
89. Remarried to Princess Consort Pungsan of the Andong Kwon clan (풍산군부인 안동 권씨, 豊山郡夫印 安東權氏), and had 6 children (5 sons, 1 daughter)
90. Married Princess Consort Geumreung of the Cheongseong Sim clan (금릉군부인 청송 심씨, 金陵郡夫人 靑松沈氏) (? - 4 May 1524), and had 2 daughters; Yi Ui-jeong (이의정, 李懿貞) (1508 - ?), Yi Gyeong-jeong (이경정, 李敬貞) (1510 - ?)
91. Remarried to Princess Consort Gyoseong of the Gyeongju Jeong clan (교성군부인 경주 정씨, 交城郡夫人 慶州鄭氏) (? - 8 May ?) — no issue
92. With 5 concubines, he had 7 children (4 sons, 3 daughters)
93. Her personal name was Yi Jeong-bok (정복, 貞福)
94. Married Yun Nae (윤내, 尹鼐) (? - 1552) of the Papyeong Yun clan, and had a son, Yun Hwi-ro (윤희로, 尹希老)
95. Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Uiryeong Nam clan is her aunt-in-law

• 성종 (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia.