Danjong of Joseon

Biography

The future Danjong was born during the reign of his grandfather, King Sejong. His mother, Crown Princess Consort Gwon (posthumously honored as Queen Hyeondeok), didn't recover after giving birth and died the next day. He had one older sister, Princess Gyeonghye, and one older half-sister, Princess Gyeongsuk.

In 1452, Yi Hong-wi succeeded his father, King Munjong, at the age of 10. Since he was too young to rule, the governing of the country fell to Chief State Councillor Hwangbo In, and Left State Councillor General Kim Chongsŏ, along with Princess Gyeonghye acting as his guardian.

In 1453, this government was overthrown in a coup d'état led by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (posthumously called King Sejo), who persuaded a number of scholars and officials who had served in the court of Sejong the Great to support his claim to the throne. Hwangbo In and Kim Chongsŏ were captured and killed in front of the gate of Gyeongbokgung.

In late January 1454, the 14 years-old king married the 15 years-old daughter of Song Hyeon-su, Lady Song the Yeosan Song clan (later known as Queen Jeongsun). In 1455, he was forced to abdicate and became the King Emeritus of Joseon while his wife became Queen Dowager Uideok.

The following year, six court officials attempted to restore him to power, but their plot was discovered and they were immediately executed. Yi Hong-wi was later demoted to Prince Nosan (Nosan Gun; 노산군, 魯山君) and exiled to Yeongwol. His wife was also kicked out of the palace after losing her status as queen dowager and being demoted to Princess Consort Nosan (Nosan Gunbuin; 노산군부인).

Initially, Sejo was hesitant to execute Danjong and showed mercy despite the attempted coup. However, he began perceiving that Danjong would present a continuing threat to his rule, Sejo accepted the advice of the court and ordered that his nephew be disposed of. In November 1457, he was put to death.

Sejo ordered his body to be dumped in a river where it flowed to Yeongwol and decreed that anyone giving him a proper burial would face execution. According to legend, a villager recovered his body provided him with a respectful burial. To escape retribution, he went into hiding for the remainder of his life. Honored by Koreans as a “loyal subject to the rightful king,” his courageous act continues to be commemorated annually in the village, where locals reenact the king’s funeral. The town also features a statue him holding Danjong’s body.

There was an attempt to honor the late king and queen during Jungjong's reign, but he rejected the proposal. During the reign of King Sukjong scholars once again proposed the restoration of the titles. After 200 years, in 1698, the demoted Prince Nosan and his wife were finally restored, receiving the temple name "Danjong", and posthumous name "Queen Jeongsun".

Family

Parents

• Father: King Munjong of Joseon (; 15 November 1414 – 1 June 1452)
  • Grandfather: King Sejong of Joseon (; 15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450)
  • Grandmother: Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan (; 12 October 1395 – 19 April 1446)
• Mother: Queen Hyeondeok of the Andong Gwon clan (; 17 April 1418 – 10 August 1441)
  • Grandfather: Gwon Jeon (; 1371 – 18 November 1441)
  • Grandmother: Lady Choe of the Haeju Choe clan (; 1438–1456)

Consorts

• Queen Jeongsun of the Yeosan Song clan (; 1440 – 7 July 1521)
• Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Sangsan Kim clan (; 1440–1525)
• Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Andong Gwon clan (; 1440–1519)

Ancestry

() () () () () (조선 태조)|17=17. Queen Sinui of the Cheongju Han clan (신의왕후 한씨)|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;|18=18. Min Je, Internal Prince Yeoheung & Duke Mundo(여흥부원군 문도공 민제)|20=20. Shim Deok-bu(심덕부)|24=24. Gwon Jeong-jung(권정중)|13=13. Lady Gwon(권씨)|15=15. Lady Ji of the Chungju Ji clan(충주 지씨)|19=19. Lady Song of the Yeosan Song clan(여산 송씨)|22=22. Ahn Cheon-bo(안천보)|21=21. Lady Mun of the Incheon Mun clan(인천 문씨)|23=23. Lady Kim of the Yeongju Kim clan()}}

Notes

References

References

1. Lee, Jeong-bong. (1 June 2011). "A hamlet rich in history and art". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
2. (November 16, 2019). "Murder, misery and mercy: Boy-king's life brutally cut short".
3. (4 April 2014). "Forgotten story of Princess Gyeonghye".
4. Callahan, Chrissy. (January 23, 2023). "Jamie Chung learns she's related to a 'big deal' in Korean history: 'No way!'".
5. "Far from Home".