Prince Sado
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Prince Sado | |
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Hangul: | 장조 |
Hanja: | 莊祖 |
Revised Romanization: | Jangjo |
McCune-Reischauer: | Changjo |
Birth name | |
Hangul: | 사도 |
Hanja: | 思悼 |
Revised Romanization: | Sado |
McCune-Reischauer: | Sado |
Prince Sado (1735 - 1762) was born as the second son of the Korean king Yeongjo of Joseon. Because his older brother Prince Hyojang died young, in 1728, Prince Sado was born the royal heir. However, he was mentally ill, wantonly killed people, and was very erratic. This was a disappointment to his father, who forced him into suicide by putting him in a rice casket. He died within eight days. His son became Jeongjo of Joseon after Prince Sado's death. Emperor Jeongjo spent much of his reign trying to clear his father's name. He also moved the court to Suwon to be closer to his father's grave, and built a wall around Sado's grave that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.