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King Seongjong of Joseon (1457 - 1494), was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.
He was grandson of King Sejo, nephew of Yejong. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 when the weak king died without any sons to succeed him. Since he was too young to govern the kingdom effectively (he was 13 when he was crowned), Queen Jeonghee, his grandmother, ruled the nation in his name, along with the king's mother, Queen Insu (whose husband had never actually been king). In 1476, at the age of 20, he began to govern the country in his own name.
His reign was marked by the prosperity and growth of the national economy, based on the laws laid down by kings Taejong, Sejong, and Sejo. He himself was a gifted ruler. In 1474, the code of law, first ordered by King Sejo, was completed and put into effect. Seongjong also ordered revisions and improvements to the code.
Besides the law, he also encouraged Confucian scholars; He established Hongmungwan (홍문관, 弘文館), the royal library and secretary to the king at the same time. For the first time since King Sejong, he brought many liberal Confucian scholars to his court, whose political views went against those of the conservative officials (members of the nobility) who had helped kings Taejong and Sejo to power. In this way he made his rule more effective by appointing able administrators regardless of their political views. His policy resulted in many positive innovations, increasing his number of supporters. The king himself was an artist and scholar, and liked to argue about the finer points of politics with more liberal scholars. He encouraged scholars to publish numerous books about geography and social etiquette, for example, as well as areas of knowledge that benefitted the common people.
He also sent several military campaigns against the Jurchens on the northern border in 1491, like many of his predecessors. The campaign, led by Gen. Heo Jong (허종, 許琮) was successful and the defeated Jurchens led by Udige (兀狄哈) retreated to the north of Abrokgang. King Seongjong was succeeded by his son, Yeonsangun, in 1494.
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Family
- Father: Prince Successor Uigyeong (의경세자)1
- Mother: Queen Sohye of the Han clan (소혜왕후 한씨)
- Consorts:
- Queen Gonghye of the Han clan (공혜왕후 한씨)
- Queen Jeheon of the Yun clan (제헌왕후 윤씨)2
- Queen Jeonghyeon of the Yun clan (정현왕후 윤씨)
- Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Kim clan (명빈 김씨)
- (1st) Jeong Gwi-in (귀인 정씨)
- (2nd) Jeong Gwi-in (귀인 정씨)
- Eom Gwi-in (귀인 엄씨)
- Ha Suk-ui (숙의 하씨)
- Hong Suk-ui (숙의 홍씨)
- Kim Suk-ui (숙의 김씨)
- Shim Suk-yong (숙용 심씨)
- Kwon Suk-yong (숙용 권씨)
- Children:
- Prince Yeonsan (연산군), Only Son of Queen Jeheon of the Yun clan.
- Grand Prince Jinseong (진성대군), Only Son of Queen Jeonghyeon of the Yun clan.
- Prince Musan (무산군), Only Son of Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Kim clan.
- Prince Anyang (안양군), 1st Son of (1st) Jeong Gwi-in.
- Prince Bongan (봉안군), 2nd Son of (1st) Jeong Gwi-in.
- Prince Jeonseong (전성군), Only Son of (2nd) Jeong Gwi-in.
- Prince Gyeseong (계성군), Only Son of Ha Suk-ui.
- Prince Wanwon (완원군), 1st Son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Hoesan (회산군), 2nd Son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Waseong (와성군), 3rd Son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Ikyang (익양군), 4th Son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Gyeongmyeong (경명군), 5th Son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Yangwon (양원군), 6th Son of Hong Suk-ui.
- Prince Iseong (이성군), 1st Son of Shim Suk-yong.
- Prince Yeongan (영안군), 2nd Son of Shim Suk-yong.
- Princess Sunsuk (순숙공주), 1st Daughter of Queen Jeonghyeon of the Yun clan.
- Princess Sinsuk (신숙공주), 2nd Daughter of Queen Jeonghyeon of the Yun clan.
- Princess Jeonghye (정혜옹주), Only Daughter of (1st) Jeong Gwi-in.
- Princess Gongshin (공신옹주), Only Daughter of Eom Gwi-in.
- Princess Hyesuk (혜숙옹주), 1st Daughter of Hong Suk-ui.
- Princess Jeongsun (정순옹주), 2nd Daughter of Hong Suk-ui.
- Princess Jeongsuk (정숙옹주), 3rd Daughter of Hong Suk-ui.
- Princess Hwisuk (휘숙옹주), 1st Daughter of Kim Suk-ui.
- Princess Gyeongsuk (경숙옹주), 2nd Daughter of Kim Suk-ui.
- Princess Hwijeong (휘정옹주), 3rd Daughter of Kim Suk-ui.
- Princess Gyeongsun (경순옹주), 1st Daughter of Shim Suk-yong.
- Princess Sukhye (숙혜옹주), 2nd Daughter of Shim Suk-yong.
- Princess Gyeonghwi (경휘옹주), Only Daughter of Kwon Suk-yong.
His full posthumous name
- King Seongjong Gangjeong Inmun Heonmu Heumseong Gonghyo the Great of Korea
- 성종강정인문헌무흠성공효대왕
- 成宗康靖仁文憲武欽聖恭孝大王
Portrayal in Media
He was portrayed in the 2008 television series The King and I.
References
- ^ He was given the title "Deokjong" (덕종)
- ^ Afterwards known as 폐비 윤씨 (or 폐제헌왕후), "Deposed Queen Yun"
See also
| Preceded by Yejong |
Rulers of Korea (Joseon Dynasty) 1469–1494 |
Succeeded by Yeonsangun |
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