Yeongjo of Joseon
21st king of Joseon from 1724 to 1776 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Yeongjo (Korean: 영조; Hanja: 英祖; 31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776), personal name Yi Geum (이금; 李昑), was the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Sukjong by his concubine, Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haeju Choe clan. Before ascending to power, he was known as Prince Yeoning (연잉군; 延礽君). His life was characterized by political infighting and resentment due to his biological mother's low-born origins.
Yeongjo of Joseon 조선 영조 朝鮮英祖 | |||||||||
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King of Joseon | |||||||||
Reign | 16 October 1724 – 22 April 1776 | ||||||||
Coronation | Injeongmun Gate, Changdeok Palace, Hanseong | ||||||||
Predecessor | Gyeongjong | ||||||||
Successor | Jeongjo | ||||||||
Regent |
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Regent of Joseon | |||||||||
Tenure | 4 December 1721 – 16 October 1724 | ||||||||
Monarch | Gyeongjong | ||||||||
Born | Yi Geum (이금; 李昑) (1694-10-31)31 October 1694 Bogyeongdang Hall, Changdeok Palace, Hanseong, Joseon | ||||||||
Died | 22 April 1776(1776-04-22) (aged 81) Jipgyeongdang Hall, Gyeonghui Palace, Hanseong, Joseon | ||||||||
Burial | |||||||||
Spouse(s) | |||||||||
Issue among others... | Crown Prince Sado | ||||||||
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Clan | Jeonju Yi clan | ||||||||
Dynasty | House of Yi | ||||||||
Father | Sukjong of Joseon | ||||||||
Mother |
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Religion | Korean Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism) |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 영종, later 영조 |
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Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Yeongjong, later Yeongjo |
McCune–Reischauer | Yŏngjong, later Yŏngjo |
Birth name | |
Hangul | 이금 |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | I Geum |
McCune–Reischauer | Yi Kŭm |
Courtesy name | |
Hangul | 광숙 |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Gwangsuk |
McCune–Reischauer | Kwangsuk |
Art name | |
Hangul | 양성헌 |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Yangseongheon |
McCune–Reischauer | Yangsŏnghŏn |
In 1720, a few months after the accession of his elder half-brother, Yi Yun (posthumously King Gyeongjong), as the 20th king, Yeoning became the crown prince. This induced a large controversy between the political factions. Nevertheless, four years later, at the death of Gyeongjong, he ascended to the throne.
Yeongjo is most remembered for his persistent attempts to reform the taxation system, and reconcile the various factions under his Tangpyeong policy (탕평; 蕩平; lit. 'Magnificent Harmony'). His reign of nearly 52 years was also marked by the highly controversial execution of his only surviving son, Crown Prince Sado, in 1762. However, in spite of this controversy, Yeongjo has earned a positive reputation in Korean history due to his efforts to rule by Confucian ethics.