Sunjo of Joseon

Sunjo (29 July 1790 – 13 December 1834, reigned 1800–1834) was the 23rd king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He was born with the title of His Royal Highness Prince Yi Gong. Sunjo was the 2nd son of King Jeongjo which King Jeongjo had with Lady Subin, one of King Jeongjo concubines.

Biography

Sunjo ascended to the throne in 1800 upon the death of his father, King Jeongjo, at age 11.

In 1802, King Sunjo married Lady Kim of Andong, known posthumously as Queen Sunwon, daughter of Kim Jo-sun who was a leader of Andong Kim clan.

Since he ascended the throne at a young age, Queen Dowager Jeongsun, the second queen of King Yeongjo, ruled as queen regent, which allowed her to wield power over state affairs. Despite King Sunjo’s efforts to reform politics, the fundamental principles of government deteriorated. The state examination became disordered and corruption in the government personnel administration prevailed. This resulted in disorder in society and various kinds of riots broke out among the people, including the revolt by Hong Gyeongnae. The Ogajaktongbeop (五家作統法, a census registration system to group five houses as one unit) was also carried out in this period, and oppression against Roman Catholicism began in earnest.^[1]

King Sunjo died after reigning for 35 years in 1834 at the age of 44. He was first buried next to Jangneung, Paju, the tomb of King Injo and Queen Inyeo but later moved to Illeung, Seoul as the Feng Shui at the old site was deemed to be unfavourable.^[2]

Family

• Father: King Jeongjo (정조)
• Mother: Royal Noble Consort Su of the Park clan (수빈 박씨, 1770–1822)^[3]
• Consorts and their Respective Issue(s):

1. Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan (순원왕후 김씨, 15 May 1789 – 4 August 1857)^[4][5]
   1. Crown Prince Hyomyong (왕세자, 1809–1830)^[6]
   2. An unknown Prince (?, 1820–?)
   3. Princess Myeongon (명온공주, 1810–1832)
   4. Princess Bokon (복온공주, 1818–1828)
   5. Princess Deokon (덕온공주, 1828–1844)
2. Park Suk-ui (숙의 박씨)
   1. Princess Yeongon (영온옹주, 1817–1829)

His full posthumous name

• King Sunjo Seongak Yeondeok Hyeondo Gyeongin Sunhui Cheseong Eungmyeong Heumgwang Seokgyeong Gyecheon Baegeuk Yungwon Donhyu Euihaeng Soyun Huihwa Junryeol Daejung Jijeong Honghun Cheolmo Geonsi Taehyeong Changun Honggi Gomyeong Bakhu Ganggeon Sujeong Gyetong Suryeok Gongyu Beommun Anmu Jeongryeong Gyeongseong-hyo the Great of Korea
• 순조선각연덕현도경인순희체성응명흠광석경계천배극융원돈휴의행소윤희화준렬대중지정홍훈철모건시태형창운홍기고명박후강건수정계통수력공유범문안무정령경성효대왕
• 純祖宣恪淵德顯道景仁純禧體聖凝命欽光錫慶繼天配極隆元敦休懿行昭倫熙化浚烈大中至正洪勳哲謨乾始泰亨昌運弘基高明博厚剛健粹精啓統垂曆功裕範文安武靖英敬成孝大王

Ancestry

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• History of Korea

References