Jeongjong of Joseon

Jeongjong (; 26 July 1357 – 24 October 1419), personal name Yi Bang-gwa, later changed to Yi Gyeong, was the second monarch of Joseon. He was the second son of King Taejo, the founder of the dynasty.

Biography Born in 1357 as the second son of Yi Seong-gye (posthumously King Taejo) and his first wife Lady Han, he was a prudent, generous, and able military officer. During the latter days of the declining Goryeo, Jeongjong followed his father to various battlefronts and fought at his side. When his father took the throne in 1392, he became a prince.

Taejo had two wives — the first one, who gave birth to six sons (including Jeongjong), died before he was crowned; the second wife was Lady Kang, with whom he had two sons. The king favored his youngest son, whose mother was Lady Kang. Chŏng Tojŏn also backed him as successor, causing much resentment in the other princes.

In 1398, Taejo's fifth son, Yi Bang-won (posthumously King Taejong) led a coup along with many military officers and killed his two younger half-brothers, Chŏng Tojŏn, and many of his faction. Yi Bang-won first tried to show that he was not interested in the throne, so he gave a push to Yi Bang-gwa (who was the eldest son by then), to be the next crown prince. King Taejo was upset and abdicated in disgust, and Yi Bang-gwa became Joseon's second ruler. The same year he moved the government back to Gaegyeong, the old Goryeo capital.

In 1400, a conflict broke out between Yi Bang-won and his elder brother, Yi Bang-gan. Yi Bang-won's force attacked and defeated that of his brother Yi Bang-gan's, who was then sent into exile along with his family. General Park Bo, who persuaded Yi Bang-gan into rebellion, was executed. King Jeongjong, knowing that he was a mere political figurehead for his younger brother, appointed him as crown prince and abdicated months later.

He was an able and wise administrator despite his short reign being marked by bloodshed within the royal family.

Jeongjong died in 1419 and was buried alongside his wife, Queen Jeongan, at Hurung , in present-day Panmun Ward, Kaesong, North Korea.

Family Father: King Taejo (; 4 November 1335 – 27 June 1408) Grandfather: Yi Ja-chun , King Hwanjo (; 20 January 1315 – 3 May 1360) Grandmother: Queen Uihye , of the Yeongheung Choe clan (?–1336) Mother: Queen Sinui , of the Cheongju Han clan (; 6 October 1337 – 25 November 1391) Grandfather: Han Gyeong , Internal Prince Ancheon Grandmother: Grand Princess Consort of Samhan State , of the Saknyeong Shin clan Stepmother: Queen Sindeok , of the Goksan Kang clan (; 20 July 1356 – 23 September 1396) Consort(s) and their respective issue Queen Jeongan , of the Gyeongju Kim clan (; 30 January 1355 – 11 August 1412) Concubine Seong , of the Chungju Ji clan Yi Hu-saeng , Prince Deokcheon (; 1397 – 7 December 1465), 10th son Yi Mal-saeng , Prince Dopyeong (; 15 September 1402 – ?), 12th son Sugui , of the Chungju Ji clan Yi Won-saeng , Prince Uipyeong (; 1391 – 16 September 1461), first son Yi Mu-saeng , Prince Seonseong (; 18 December 1392 – 2 August 1460), fourth son Yi Ho-saeng , Prince Imseong , 11th son Princess Hamyang , first daughter Sugui , of the Haengju Ki clan (? – 13 July 1457) Yi Gun-saeng , Prince Sunpyeong (; 1392 – 29 September 1456), second son Yi Ui-saeng , Prince Geumpyeong (? – 1 December 1435), third son Yi Yung-saeng , Prince Jeongseok (; 1409 – 18 November 1464), 14th son Yi Seon-saeng , Prince Murim (; 1419 – 3 April 1475), 15th son Princess Sukshin , second daughter Princess Sangwon , fifth daughter Sugui , of the Nampyeong Mun clan Yi Gwi-saeng , Prince Jongui (; 1393 – 4 June 1451), fifth son Sugui , of the Haepyeong Yun clan (; 14 January 1368 – 1 October 1417) Yi Deok-saeng , Prince Sudo (; 4 April 1393 – 7 August 1449), seventh son Yi Nok-saeng , Prince Imeon (; 1399 – 20 September 1450), eighth son Yi Bok-saeng , Prince Seokbo , ninth son Yi Bo-saeng , Prince Jangcheon (; 1418 – 19 April 1465), 13th son Princess Incheon , seventh daughter Sugui , of the Pyeongchang Yi clan (? – 1443) Yi Jong-saeng , Prince Jinnam (; 11 February 1393 – 28 December 1470), sixth son Mistress Gauigung , of the Yu clan Yi Bul-no (; 1388–1410), unacknowledged son Unknown Princess Deokcheon , third daughter Princess Goseong , fourth daughter Princess Jeonsan , sixth daughter Princess Haman , eighth daughter

Ancestry

In popular culture Portrayed by Nam Seong-sik in the 1983 KBS1 TV series Foundation of the Kingdom. Portrayed by Lee Young-ho in the 1983 MBC TV series The King of Chudong Palace. Portrayed by Tae Min-young in the 1996–1998 KBS1 TV series Tears of the Dragon. Portrayed by No Young-gook in the 2008 KBS TV series The Great King, Sejong. Portrayed by Oh Hee-joon in the 2012–2013 SBS TV series The Great Seer. Portrayed by Lee Tae-rim in the 2014 KBS1 TV series Jeong Do-jeon. Portrayed by Seo Dong-won in the 2015–2016 SBS TV series Six Flying Dragons. Portrayed by Kim Myung-soo in the 2021 KBS1 TV series The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won.