Yongjo

Yŏngjo was the second son of King Sukjong, by his concubine Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haeju Choe clan. He was born in 1694 at Bogyeongdang Hall in Changdeok Palace. He was adopted by Queen Inwon, Sukjong's first wife, who had no children of her own. He was known as Prince Yeoning before ascending to the throne. He became the crown prince in 1720, after the death of his older half-brother, King Gyeongjong. He faced opposition from the political factions who resented his low-born mother's influence. He ascended to the throne in 1724, after Gyeongjong's sudden death. He took the reign name of Yŏngjo, meaning "perpetual prosperity". Yŏngjo's reign lasted for 52 years, the longest in Joseon history. He was a reformer who tried to improve the administration, economy, and military of the country. He implemented the Tangpyeong policy, which aimed to balance the power of the rival political factions and promote harmony among them. He also reformed the taxation system, reducing the burden on the peasants and increasing the revenue of the state. He revised the legal codes, abolishing some harsh punishments and protecting the rights of the commoners. He promoted education, culture, and science, and supported the publication of many books and maps. He was a patron of the arts, especially music and painting. He was also a devout follower of Confucianism, and respected the rituals and ceremonies of the court. Yŏngjo's reign was also marked by some tragedies and controversies. He had a strained relationship with his only son, Crown Prince Sado, who suffered from mental illness and violent tendencies. Yŏngjo tried to discipline and educate his son, but Sado's condition worsened over time. In 1762, Yŏngjo ordered Sado to climb into a wooden rice chest and locked him inside, where he died after eight days. This incident shocked and saddened the nation, and tarnished Yŏngjo's reputation. Yŏngjo's grandson, Yi San, became the crown prince and later succeeded him as King Jeongjo. Yŏngjo also had to deal with external threats, such as the Qing invasion of 1739 and the Japanese invasion of 1764. He maintained a cautious and pragmatic foreign policy, trying to avoid conflicts and preserve the sovereignty of Joseon. Yŏngjo died in 1776, at the age of 81, at Jipgyeongdang Hall in Gyeonghui Palace. He was buried with his second wife, Queen Jeongsun, in the royal tomb of Wonneung in Guri, Gyeonggi Province. He was posthumously honored with various titles and epithets, such as King Igmun Seonmu Huigyeong Hyeonhyo the Great, meaning "the great king who displayed benevolence, propagated martial arts, displayed loyalty and filial piety, and manifested filial piety". He is regarded as one of the most successful and enlightened rulers of Joseon, and one of the greatest kings in Korean history.