Yejong of Joseon

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Yejong of Joseon
Hangul: 예종
Hanja: 睿宗
Revised Romanization: Yejong
McCune-Reischauer: Yejong
Birth name
Hangul: 이광
Hanja: 李晄
Revised Romanization: I Gwang
McCune-Reischauer: I Kwang

King Yejong of Joseon was the 8th monarch of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He succeeded his father, King Sejo in 1468, but was too physically ill to govern, and died a year later.

One of the most prominent incidents during Yejong's reign was the trial and death of General Nam-I (남이;南怡). As the son of King Sejo's fourth daughter Princess Jeongsun, Yejong was Nam-I's maternal uncle. Nam-I was famous for having suppressed Yi Si-Ae's (이시애의 난) rebellion along with General Gang-Sun and others. At age 28, he was appointed to Minister of War (병조판서). However, when Yejong became king, a minister named Yu Ja-Gwang (유자광;柳子光) who was jealous of Nam-I accused him of treason when he found out that Yejong himself was not fond of Nam-I. Yu also involved the Prime Minister Gang Sun (강순;康純) and initiated a trial witnessed by the King himself. They were found guilty and executed while Yu Ja-Gwang was promoted to a high office and given a title of prince. After this incident, there were many cases of Yu accusing ministers who were apprently more prestigious than himself.

Preceded by
Sejo
Emperor of Korea
(Joseon Dynasty)
1468–1469
Succeeded by
Seongjong

[edit] See also

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