Jungjong of Joseon

Not to be confused with Jeongjong of Joseon.

Jungjong of Joseon (16 April 1488 – 29 November 1544), personal name Yi Yeok (Korean: 이역; Hanja: 李懌), firstly titled Grand Prince Jinseong (Korean: 진성대군; Hanja: 晉城大君), was the 11th ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He succeeded to the throne after the deposition of his older half-brother, the tyrannical Yeonsangun.

Jungjong of Joseon 朝鮮中宗 조선 중종
King Emeritus of Joseon
Tenure	29 November 1544
Predecessor	Sejo of Joseon
Successor	Position Abolished
King of Joseon
Reign	18 September 1506 – 28 November 1544
Coronation	Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeongbok Palace, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Predecessor	Yeonsangun of Joseon
Successor	Injong of Joseon
Born	Yi Yeok (이역, 李懌) (1488-04-16)16 April 1488 Daejojeon Hall, Changdeok Palace, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Died	29 November 1544(1544-11-29) (aged 56) Hwangyeongjeon Hall, Changgyeong Palace, Hanseong, Kingdom of Joseon
Burial	Jeongneung Tomb, Seonjeongneung Cluster, Seoul, South Korea
Spouse(s)	Queen Dangyeong ​ ​ (m. 1499; div. 1506)​ Queen Janggyeong ​ ​ (m. 1506; died 1515)​ Queen Munjeong ​ (m. 1517)​
Issue	Injong of Joseon Myeongjong of Joseon
Posthumous name Joseon dynasty: King Hwimun Somu Heumin Seonghyo the Great 휘문소무흠인성효대왕 徽文昭武欽仁誠孝大王 Ming dynasty: Gonghui (공희, 恭僖) Temple name Jungjong (중종, 中宗)
Clan	Jeonju Yi clan
Dynasty	House of Yi
Father	Seongjong of Joseon
Mother	Queen Jeonghyeon
Religion	Korean Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism)

Korean name
Hangul	중종
Hanja	中宗
Revised Romanization	Jungjong
McCune–Reischauer	Chungjong
Birth name
Hangul	이역
Hanja	李懌
Revised Romanization	I Yeok
McCune–Reischauer	Yi Yŏk
Courtesy name
Hangul	낙천
Hanja	樂天
Revised Romanization	Nakcheon
McCune–Reischauer	Nakch'ŏn

Biography

Rise to power

See also: Jungjong coup

In September 1506, on the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers belonging to the coup's leaders surrounded the house of Grand Prince Jinseong. He was about to commit suicide, thinking that his older half-brother was finally going to kill him, but after being dissuaded by his wife, Lady Shin (later known as Queen Dangyeong), Grand Prince Jinseong found himself becoming the eleventh king of Joseon.

Jo Gwang-jo's reforms

Jungjong worked hard to wipe out the remnants of Yeonsangun's era by reopening Sungkyunkwan (the royal university) and the Office of Censors (which criticizes inappropriate actions of the king). However, during the early days of his reign, the new king could not exert the royal power freely as those who put him on the throne held immense control over the country. When three of the main leaders of coup died of old age or natural causes in the next eight years, Jungjong began to assert his authority and carried out large-scale reforms with the help of Jo Gwang-jo and other Sarim scholars, despite much opposition from conservative nobles who had participated in the 1506 rebellion.

Jo Gwang-jo strengthened local autonomy by establishing a self-governing system called Hyangyak, promoted Confucian writings by translating them into hangul (Korean native script) and distributing them widely, pursued a land reform that would distribute land more equally between the rich and poor, and introduced a supplementary system to recruit talents for the government. He believed that any talented people, including slaves, should be appointed as officials regardless of social status. The Annals of the Joseon dynasty state that during his time as Inspector General (Daesaheon; 대사헌), he enforced the laws strictly so that no official dared to receive a bribe or exploit the local populace.^[1]

While Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo shared a common passion for the reformist agenda, the former was chiefly interested in solidifying royal authority whereas the latter was more concerned with neo-Confucian ideology, according to which those who rule must be a virtuous example to the rest. Jo's uncompromising character and frequent remonstrations also began to irritate the king.

In late 1519, the conservative officials came up with a plan to further weaken Jo Gwang-jo's influence; they used honey to write Ju Cho Wi Wang ("Ju Cho will be King"; 주초위왕, 走肖爲王) on mulberry leaves so that caterpillars would leave behind the same words as if in supernatural manifestation. When the hanja characters 走 (ju) and 肖 (cho) are put together, they form the character 趙 (jo), and the expression's meaning changes to "Jo [Gwang-jo] will be King". The incident was reminiscent of another occurrence that took place before the fall of the Goryeo dynasty, when the phrase Mok Ja Deuk Guk ("Son of wood will gain the country"; 목자득국, 木子得國) became popular. In this case, the combined characters 木 ("wood") and 子 ("son") form the character 李 ("yi"), which was the surname of General Yi Seong-gye (later known as King Taejo, the founder of Joseon).

The only living leader of the 1506 coup, Hong Gyeong-ju (홍경주, 洪景舟), used this event to heighten Jungjong's suspicions and fears. Finally, in January 1520, Jo Gwang-jo was executed on charges of factionalism and many of his followers were exiled, while his radical reform programs were abruptly abandoned. The incident became known as the Third Literati Purge (Gimyo Sahwa; 기묘사화, 己卯士禍).

Rule of in-laws

After Jo Gwang-jo's elimination, Jungjong never had the chance to rule on his own again. His reign was marked by tumultuous struggle among various conservative factions, each of them backed by one of the king's wives or concubines.

In 1524, Nam Gon and Shim Jung ousted the corrupt official Gim Ahn-ro (김안로, 金安老), but he managed to return to power and took revenge by accusing Royal Noble Consort Gyeong (one of the king's concubines) of plotting against the crown prince, which led to her execution along with her only son, Prince Bokseong. Following this case, Gim Ahn-ro started using the protection of the crown prince as an excuse to begin a reign of terror against his enemies, and even attempted to depose Jungjong's third wife, Queen Munjeong, after she gave birth to a son (the future King Myeongjong). He eventually met his downfall at the hands of the queen's brothers, Yun Won-ro and Yun Won-hyeong. Despite these events, Yun Im, older brother of the late Queen Janggyeong and an ally of Gim Ahn-ro, was able to maintain his standing and preserve his nephew's position as heir to the throne.

The scholars and officials now gathered around two new centers of power and each group developed into separate political factions. Yun Im's party became known as "Greater Yun" and the Yun brothers' party as "Lesser Yun". Their conflict caused the Fourth Literati Purge (Ulsa Sahwa; 을사사화, 乙巳士禍) after Jungjong's death.

As the royal court was weakened by the continual internal conflict, foreign powers driven away by earlier monarchs returned with much greater effect. Japanese pirates often plundered the southern coastal regions, while the Jurchens attacked the northern frontier numerous times, bleeding the army dry.

Death

The king died on 29 November 1544 and was originally buried in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. He was later moved to the Seonjeongneung Cluster, in Seoul, the burial ground of his parents, King Seongjong and Queen Jeonghyeon. The tomb is called Jeongneung (정릉).

The throne passed to his eldest legitimate son, Crown Prince Yi Ho (posthumously honored as King Injong), who died without issue less than a year later and was succeeded by his younger half-brother, Grand Prince Gyeongwon (today known as King Myeongjong).

Family

• Father: King Seongjong of Joseon (20 August 1457 – 20 January 1494) (조선 성종)
  • Grandfather: Deokjong of Joseon (1438 – 2 September 1457) (조선 덕종)
  • Grandmother: Queen Sohye of the Cheongju Han clan (7 October 1437 – 11 May 1504) (소혜왕후 한씨)
• Mother: Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (21 July 1462 – 13 September 1530) (정현왕후 윤씨)^[2]
  • Grandfather: Yun Ho (1424 – 9 April 1496) (윤호)^[3]
  • Grandmother: Lady Jeon of the Damyang Jeon clan (담양 전씨)

Consorts and their respective issue(s):

1. Queen Dangyeong of the Geochang Shin clan (7 February 1487 – 27 December 1557) (단경왕후 신씨) — No issue.
2. Queen Janggyeong of the Papyeong Yun clan (10 August 1491 – 16 March 1515) (장경왕후 윤씨)
   1. Yi Ok-ha, Princess Hyohye (13 June 1511 – 6 May 1531) (효혜공주 이옥하), first daughter^[4]
   2. Crown Prince Yi Ho (10 March 1515 – 7 August 1545) (왕세자 이호), fourth son
3. Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan (2 December 1501 – 5 May 1565) (문정왕후 윤씨)^[5]
   1. Yi Ok-hye, Princess Uihye (1521–1564) (의혜공주 이옥혜), seventh daughter^[6]
   2. Yi Ok-rin, Princess Hyosun (1522–1538) (효순공주 이옥린), eight daughter^[7][8]
   3. Yi Ok-hyeon, Princess Gyeonghyeon (1530–1584) (경현공주 이옥현), eleventh daughter^[9]
   4. Yi Hwan, Grand Prince Gyeongwon (3 July 1534 – 3 August 1567) (이환 경원대군), tenth son
   5. Princess Insun (1542–1545) (인순공주), twelfth daughter^[10]
4. Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Miryang Park clan (1492–1533) (경빈 박씨)^[11]
   1. Yi Mi, Prince Bokseong (28 September 1509 – 18 June 1533) (이미 복성군), first son^[12]
   2. Yi Cheol-hwan, Princess Hyesun (12 February 1512 – 1583) (혜순옹주 이철환), second daughter^[13]
   3. Yi Seok-hwan, Princess Hyejeong (27 October 1514 – 1580) (혜정공주 이석환), third daughter^[14]
5. Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Namyang Hong clan (1494–1581) (희빈 홍씨)^[15][16]
   1. Yi Yeong, Prince Geumwon (1513 – 1562) (이영 금원군), third son^[17][18]
   2. Yi Wan, Prince Bongseong (1528 – 1547) (이완 봉성군), seventh son^[19][20]
   3. Eleventh son (? – ?)^[21]
   4. Twelfth son (? – ?)^[21]
   5. Thirteenth son (? – ?)^[21]
6. Royal Noble Consort Chang of the Ansan Ahn clan (2 September 1499 – 7 November 1549) (창빈 안씨)^[22]
   1. Yi Geo, Prince Yeongyang (24 April 1521 – 27 July 1561) (이거 영양군), fifth son^[23]
   2. Yi Seon-hwan, Jeongsin (1526 – 1552) (정신옹주 이선환), tenth daughter^[24]
   3. Yi Cho, Prince Deokheung (2 April 1530 – 14 June 1559) (이초 덕흥대원군), ninth son^[25][26]
   4. Yi Su (이수)(? – ?), fourtheenth son
7. Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Cheongju Han clan (1500 – 1571) (귀인 한씨)^[27]
   1. Eight son (1528 – 1528)^[21]
8. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Naju Na clan (1489 – 1514) (숙의 나씨) — No issue.^[28]
9. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Gyeongju Yi clan (? – 1524) (숙의 이씨)^[29]
   1. Yi Gi, Prince Deokyang (1524 – 1581) (이기 덕양군), sixth son^[30][31]
10. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Namyang Hong clan (숙의 홍씨)
    1. Yi Hui, Prince Haean (15 June 1511 – 4 August 1573) (이희 해안군), second son^[32][33][34]
11. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Kim clan (? – 1562) (숙의 김씨)^[35]
    1. Yi Su-hwan, Princess Sukjeong (1525–1564) (숙정옹주 이수환), ninth daughter^[36]
12. Royal Consort Suk-won of the Yi clan (? – 1520) (숙원 이씨)^[37]
    1. Yi Jeong-hwan, Princess Jeongsun (18 December 1517 – 22 September 1581) (정순옹주 이정환), fifth daughter^[38]
    2. Yi Sun-hwa, Princess Hyojeong (29 October 1520 – 19 February 1544) (효정옹주 이순환), sixth daughter^[39]
13. Royal Consort Suk-won of the Gwon clan (숙원 권씨) — No issue.
14. Unknown
    1. Fourth Daughter (1516 – ?)

Ancestry

Ancestors of Jungjong of Joseon

16. King Sejong of Joseon (조선 세종) 8. King Sejo of Joseon (조선 세조) 17. Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan (소헌왕후 심씨) 4. King Deokjong of Joseon (조선 덕종) 18. Yun Beon, Internal Prince Papyeong & Duke Jeongjeong (파평부원군 정정공 윤번) 9. Queen Jeonghui of the Papyeong Yun clan (정희왕후 윤씨) 19. Lady Yi of the Incheon Yi clan (인천 이씨) 2. King Seongjong of Joseon (조선 성종) 20. Han Yeong-jeong (한영정) 10. Han Hwak, Internal Prince Seowon & Duke Yangjeol (서원부원군 양절공 한확) 21. Lady Gim of the Uiseong Gim clan (의성 김씨) 5. Queen Sohye of the Cheongju Han clan (소혜왕후 한씨) 22. Hong Yeo-bang (홍여방) 11. Lady Hong of the Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨) 23. Lady Jeong of the Dongnae Jeong clan (동래 정씨) 1. Jungjong of Joseon 24. Yun Geun (윤곤) 12. Yun Sam-san (윤삼산) 25. Lady Han of the Cheongju Han clan (청주 한씨) 6. Yun Ho (윤호) 13. Lady Yi of the Goseong Yi clan (고성 이씨) 3. Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (정현왕후 윤씨) 14. Jeon Jwa-myeong (전좌명) 7. Lady Jeon of the Damyang Jeon clan (담양 전씨) 15. Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨)

Legacy

While Jungjong was a good and able administrator especially during the reform period led by Jo Gwang-jo, historians see him as a fundamentally weak king who was too easily swayed by both Jo Gwang-jo and the conservative ministers who placed him on the throne. Sometimes, he is seen as a tragic figure who was forced to become king and to depose his loving wife under the pressure of the coup leaders, who also killed her father. More recently, some historians have suggested that Jungjong was not actually manipulated by his ministers and in-laws, but rather used them to get rid of one another to strengthen royal authority albeit not successfully. In either case, Jungjong's reign was marred by much confusion, violence, corruption, and court intrigues. He has been especially criticized for allowing the Third Literati Purge and executing Jo Gwang-jo on false charges.

In popular culture

• Portrayed by Lee Gyung-yung in the 1988 film Diary of King Yeonsan.
• Portrayed by Choi Jong-hwan in the 2001–2002 SBS TV series Ladies of the Palace and in the 2017 SBS TV series Saimdang, Memoir of Colors.
• Portrayed by Im Ho in the 2003–2004 MBC TV series Dae Jang Geum.
• Portrayed by Park Chan-hwan in the 2006 KBS2 TV series Hwang Jini.
• Portrayed by Noh Young-hak in the 2007–2008 SBS TV series The King and I.
• Portrayed by Choi Il-hwa in the 2013 KBS2 TV series The Fugitive of Joseon.
• Portrayed by Go Kyung-pyo in the 2015 film The Treacherous.
• Portrayed by Kim Beop-rae in the 2016 MBC TV series The Flower in Prison.
• Portrayed by Baek Seung-hwan and Yeon Woo-jin in the 2017 KBS2 TV series Queen for Seven Days.
• Portrayed by Park Hee-soon in the 2018 film Monstrum.

See also

• Seonjeongneung

References

1. [Jungjong Sillok, year 16].
2. More popularly known as "Dowager Queen Jasun" (자순대비)
3. His father was a first cousin of Han Myeong-hoe and a second cousin of Queen Jeonghui.
4. Married Kim Hui (김희, 金禧) (? - 1531), a son of Kim Ahn-ro. They had a daughter, Kim Seon-ok (김선옥, 金善玉) (1531 - ?), who married Queen Munjeong’s nephew, Yun Baek-won (윤백원, 尹百源) (1528 - 1589).
5. She is a third cousin of Queen Janggyeong
6. Married Han Gyeong-rok (한경록, 韓景祿) and had 4 children (3 sons and 1 daughter)
7. Married Gu Sa-ahn (구사안, 具思顔) (1523 - 22 April 1562) and had an adoptive son, Gu Hong (구홍, 具弘)
8. Her husband’s younger brother, Gu Sa-maeng (구사맹, 具思孟) (1531 - 1604), is the father of Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (the wife of King Wonjong and mother of King Injo)
9. Married Shin Ui (신의, 申檥) (1530 - 1584), and had a son, Shin Sa-jeong (신사정, 申士楨) (1546 - 1593). Her husband was the adoptive grandson of Princess Hyesuk (a daughter of King Seongjong)
10. Died at the age of 2-3
11. Biological daughter of Park Soo-rim; adopted daughter of Park Won-jong (the maternal uncle of Queen Janggyeong), one of the minority officials who helped Jungjong rise to the throne.
12. Married Princess Consort Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (군부인 파평 윤씨, 郡夫人 坡平尹氏) (19 July ? - 10 August 1530), and had 3 children (1 daughter and 2 adoptive sons)
13. Married Kim In-gyeong (김인경, 金仁慶) (1515 - 1583) of the Gwangsan Kim clan (광산 김씨, 光山 金氏), and had an adoptive son, Kim Ho-su (김호수, 金虎秀)
14. Married Hong Yeo (홍여, 洪礪) (? - 1533), and had a daughter, Hong Ok-hwan (홍옥환, 洪玉環) (1531 - ?), who married Yun Ho (윤호, 尹琥) (a grandson of Yun Im and a grandnephew of Queen Janggyeong)
15. Daughter of Hong Gyeong-ju (홍경주, 洪景舟) (? - 20 June 1521), one of the minority officials who helped Jungjong rise on the throne, and Lady Kwon of the Andong Kwon clan (안동 권씨, 安東 權氏)
16. Her mother, Lady Kwon of the Andong Kwon clan, is the maternal granddaughter of Jeong In-ji
17. Married Princess Consort Pajing of the Haeju Jeong clan (파징군부인 정씨, 波澄郡夫人 鄭氏) (1513 - 1560), and had 2 children (1 daughter and 1 adoptive son)
18. His adoptive son, Yi In, Prince Hareung (하릉군 이인, 河陵君 李鏻), is the older brother of King Seonjo.
19. Married Princess Consort Jeong (군부인 정씨) and had 1 daughter. Adopted Yi Geon, Prince Munseong (문성군 이건, 文城君 李健), the 4th son of his first cousin Yi Su-ryeon, Prince Annam (안남군 수련, 安南君 李壽鍊). Prince Annam was the second son of Prince Gyeongmyeong (son of King Seongjong by his concubine, Royal Consort Sug-ui of the Namyang Hong clan).
20. His daughter married Sim Chong-gyeom (심충겸, 沈忠謙) (1545 - 1594); who was the younger brother of Queen Insun and the nephew of Yi Ryang. They eventually became the 5th great-grandparents of Queen Danui (the wife of King Gyeongjong)
21. Died prematurely
22. Daughter of Ahn Tan-dae (안탄대, 安坦大) and Lady Hwang (정경부인 황씨, 貞敬夫人 黃氏)
23. Married Princess Consort Gyeongyang of the Sunheung Ahn clan (경양군부인 순흥 안씨, 景陽郡夫人 順興安氏) (10 August 1522 - 25 July 1594), and had an adoptive son
24. Married Han Gyeong-woo (한경우, 韓景祐) (1522 - ?) of the Cheongju Han clan, and had 4 children (1 son, Han Jin (한진, 韓璡); 1541- ?) and 3 daughters, Han Yeong-suk (한영숙, 韓英淑); 1545 - ?), Han Gyeon-suk (한견숙, 韓堅淑); 1547 - ?), and Han Jong-suk (한종숙, 韓終淑); 1552 - ?).
25. See Heungseon Daewongun for another example of a Daewongun.
26. To become the father (1552) of Seonjo of Joseon.
27. Daughter of Han Sun (한순, 韓恂) (1453 - 1541), who was the younger brother of Queen Ansun, and Lady Lee.
28. Daughter of Na Suk-dam (나숙담, 羅叔聃) and Lady Shin of the Yeongwol Shin clan (영월 신씨, 寧越 辛氏)
29. Daughter of Yi Hyeong-shin (이형신, 李亨臣)
30. Married Princess Consort Yeongga of the Andong Kwon clan (영가부부인 권씨, 永嘉郡夫人 權氏), and had a son, Yi Jong-rin, Prince Pungsan (풍산군 이종린, 豊山君 李宗麟) (1538 - 8 September 1611).
31. With a concubine, he had 4 children (3 sons and 1 daughter)
32. Married Lady Ryu of the Jinju Ryu clan (진주 류씨) (1506 - 1532); no issue
33. Remarried to Lady Shin of the Geochang Shin clan (거창 신씨) (1514 - 1567), and had a daughter
34. With a concubine, he had 6 sons.
35. Known before as Royal Consort Suk-yong (숙용 김씨, 淑容 金氏)
36. Married Gu Han (구한, 具澣) (1524 - 1558), and had 6 children (3 sons, 3 daughters)
37. Daughter of Lee Baek-seon (이백선, 李白先)
38. Married Song In (송인, 宋寅) (1517 - 1584) of the Yeosan Song clan, and had a son, Song Yoo-ui (송유의, 宋惟毅). She eventually adopted two more sons from her husband’s concubine.
39. Married Jo Ui-jeong (조의정, 趙義貞) of the Hanyang Jo clan, and had a son, Jo Cheon-gye (조천계, 趙天啓)

External links

• 중종 (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia.

Jungjong of Joseon House of Yi Born: 16 April 1488 Died: 29 November 1544
Regnal titles
Preceded by Yeonsangun	King of Joseon 18 September 1506 – 28 November 1544	Succeeded by Injong