Jeongjong of Joseon

Biography

Born in 1357 as Yi Bang-Gwa, he was a prudent, generous, brave, and able military officer. During the latter days of the declining Goryeo Dynasty, Jeongjong followed his father, Yi Seonggye, to various battlefronts and fought at his side. When his father became king in 1392, he became prince.

King Taejo had two wives—the first one, who gave birth to six of the king's sons including Jeongjong, died before King Taejo was crowned. Taejo had second wife, who had 2 sons from him. The king favored his youngest son, whose mother was Taejo's second wife. Prime Minister Jeong Dojeon also backed him as the successor to the throne, causing much disappointment from other princes. In 1398, King Taejo's fifth son, Yi Bang-won, who later would be King Taejong of Joseon, led a coup along with many military officers and killed his two brothers, Prime Minister Jeong, and many of his faction. Yi Bang-won first tried to show that he was not intended to take the throne, so he gave a push to his older brother Jeongjong (who was also the oldest then), to be a crown prince. King Taejo was upset and abdicated in disgust, and Jeongjong became king in the following year, 1399. The same year he moved the capital back to Gaegyeong, the old Goryeo capital.

In 1400, a conflict broke out between Yi Bang-won and his older brother, Yi Bang-gan. Yi Bang-won's force attacked and defeated that of Bang-gan's, Bang-gan was then sent into exile along with his family. General Bak Bo, who persuaded Bang-gan to fight against Bangwon, was executed. King Jeongjong, knowing the acting king of the kingdom was his younger brother Bangwon, appointed him as a crown prince, and abdicated a few days later.

He was an able, wise administrator even though his short reign was marked by bloodshed within the royal family. He banned all kinds of private troops on the advice of Crown Prince Bangwon. He died in 1419, and was buried near Kaeseong.

Family

1. Queen Jeongan of the Gyeongju Kim (22 January 1355 – 2 August 1412) (정안왕후 김씨)
2. Royal Noble Consort Seong of the Chungju Ji clan (성빈 지씨)
   1. Yi Hu-Saeng, Prince Deokcheon (1397 – 1465) (이후생 덕천군)
   2. Yi Mal-Saeng, Prince Dopyeong (1402 – 1439) (이말생 도평군)
3. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Chungju Ji clan (숙의 지씨)
   1. Yi Won-Saeng, Prince Uipyeong (? – 1461) (이원생 의평군)
   2. Yi Mu-Saeng, Prince Seonseong (10 December 1396 – 7 July 1460) (이무생 선성군)
   3. Yi Ho-Saeng, Prince Imseong (이호생 임성군)
   4. Princess Hamyang (함양옹주)
4. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Haengju Ki clan (? – 1457) (숙의 기씨)
   1. Yi Gun-Saeng, Prince Sunpyeong (? – 1456) (이군생 순평군)
   2. Yi Ui-Saeng, Prince Geumpyeong (? – 1435) (이의생 금평군)
   3. Yi Yung-Saeng, Prince Jeongseok (1409 – 1464) (이융생 정석군)
   4. Yi Seon-Saeng, Prince Murim (1410 – 1474) (이선생 무림군)
   5. Princess Sukshin (1401 – 1486) (숙신옹주)
   6. Princess Goseong (고성옹주)
   7. Princess Sangwon (상원옹주)
   8. Princess Jeonsan (전산옹주)
5. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Mun clan (숙의 문씨)
   1. Yi Gwi-Saeng, Prince Jongui (1393 – 1451) (이귀생 종의군)
6. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Lee clan (숙의 이씨)
   1. Yi Jong-Saeng, Prince Jinnam (1406 – 1470) (이종생 진남군)
7. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Haepyeong Yun clan (1368 - 1417) (숙의 윤씨)
   1. Yi Deok-Saeng, Prince Sudo (? – 1449) (이덕생 수도군)
   2. Yi Nok-Saeng, Prince Imeon (1399 – 1432) (이녹생 임언군)
   3. Yi Bok-Saeng, Prince Seokbo (1399 – 1447) (이복생 석보군)
   4. Yi Bo-Saeng, Prince Jangcheon (이보생 장천군)
   5. Princess Incheon (인천옹주)
   6. Princess Haman (함안옹주)
8. Princess Gaui of the Yu clan (가의궁주 유씨)
   1. Princess Deokcheon (덕천옹주)
9. Cho Gung-Jang (초궁장)
10. Ki-Mae (기매)

His full posthumous name

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