Hangul 성종 Hangul 이혈 Died 1494 McCune–Reischauer Songchong Role King | Revised Romanization Seongjong Name Seongjong Joseon Hanja 成宗 Hanja 李娎 | |
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Spouse Deposed Queen Lady Yun (m. 1476–1482) Successor Yeonsangun of Joseon, Jungjong of Joseon Similar People Yeonsangun of Joseon, Jungjong of Joseon, Deposed Queen Lady Yun, Myeongjong of Joseon, Taejo of Joseon | ||
Seongjong of Joseon (August 20, 1457 – January 20, 1494) was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.
Contents
Biography
He was the grandson of King Sejo, nephew of Yejong and second son of Crown Prince Uigyeong (Crown Prince Uigyeong's first son was Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1487), who was King Seongjong's elder brother). He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 when the weak king died and his son was too young to succeed him. Since he was too young to govern the kingdom effectively (he was 13 when he was crowned), Queen Jeonghee, his grandmother, ruled the nation in his name, along with the king's mother, Queen Insu (whose husband had never actually been king, but he was ascended to throne posthumously). In 1476, at the age of 20, 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.
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 Amrokgang. King Seongjong was succeeded by his son, Yeonsangun, in 1494.
Family
- Queen Gonghye of the Cheongju Han clan (8 November 1456 – 30 April 1474) (공혜왕후 한씨)
- Queen Jeheon of the Haman Yun clan 15 July 1455 – 29 August 1482 (제헌왕후 윤씨)
- Prince Yi Hyo-Shin (1475) (이효신)
- Yi Yung, Crown Prince Yeonsan (23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506) (이융 연산세자)
- Unnamed son
- Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (21 July 1462 – 13 September 1530) (정현왕후 윤씨)
- Yi Yeok, Grand Prince Jinseong (16 April 1488 – 29 November 1544) (이역 진성대군)
- Princess Sunsuk (1478 – 14 July 1488) (순숙공주)
- Princess Shinsuk (1481 – 13 February 1486) (신숙공주)
- Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Andong Kim clan (명빈 김씨)
- Yi Jong, Prince Musan (1490 – 1525) (이종 무산군)
- Princess Hwisuk (휘숙옹주)
- Princess Gyeongsuk (1483 – ?) (경숙옹주)
- Princess Hwijeong (휘정옹주)
- Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Chogye Jeong clan (? – 20 March 1504) (귀인 정씨)
- Yi Hang, Prince Anyang (1480 – 1505) (이항 안양군)
- Yi Bong, Prince Bongan (1482 – 1505) (이봉 봉안군)
- Princess Jeonghye (1490 – 6 August 1507) (정혜옹주)
- Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Yeongwol Eom clan (? - 20 March 1504) (귀인 엄씨)
- Princess Gongshin (1481 – 1549) (공신옹주)
- Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Andong Kwon clan (1471 – 1500) (귀인 권씨)
- Yi Byeon, Prince Jeonseong (1490 – 1505) (이변 전성군)
- Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Uiryeong Nam clan (귀인 남씨)
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Lee clan (소의 이씨)
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Ha clan (숙의 하씨)
- Yi Sun, the Prince Gyeseong (1478 – 1504) (이순 계성군)
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Namyang Hong clan (1457 – 1510) (숙의 홍씨)
- Yi Su, Prince Wanwon (1480 – 1509) (이수 완원군)
- Yi Nyeom, Prince Hwoesan (1481 – 1512) (이념 회산군)
- Yi Don, Prince Gyeonseong (1482 – 1507) (이돈 견성군)
- Yi Hwoe, Prince Ikyang (이회 익양군)
- Yi Chim, Prince Gyeongmyeong (1489 – 1526) (이침 경명군)
- Yi In, Prince Euncheon (1490 – 1524) (이인 은천군)
- Yi Hui, Prince Yangwon (1492 – 1551) (이희 양원군)
- Princess Hyesuk (1478 – ?) (혜숙옹주)
- Princess Jeongsun (정순옹주)
- Princess Jeongsuk (1492 – 8 February 1573) (정숙옹주)
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Jeong clan (숙의 정씨)
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Kim clan (숙의 김씨)
- Royal Consort Suk-yong of the Shim clan (숙용 심씨)
- Yi Gwan, Prince Yiseong (1489 – 1552) (이관 이성군)
- Yi Jeon, Prince Yeongan (1490 – 1538) (이전 영안군)
- Princess Gyeongsun (1482 – ?) (경순옹주)
- Princess Sukhye (1486 – 1525) (숙혜옹주)
- Royal Consort Suk-yong of the Kwon clan (숙용 권씨)
- Princess Gyeonghwi (경휘옹주)
- Royal Consort Suk-Won of the Yun clan (숙원 윤씨)