Myeongjong of Joseon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Myeongjong of Joseon朝鮮明宗 조선 명종 |
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| King of Joseon | |||||||||
| Reign | 1545–1567 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Injong of Joseon | ||||||||
| Successor | Seonjo of Joseon | ||||||||
| Regent | Queen Munjeong (1545–1565) |
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| Born | 3 July 1534 | ||||||||
| Died | 3 August 1567 (aged 33) | ||||||||
| Consort | Queen Insun | ||||||||
| Issue | Crown Prince Sunhoe | ||||||||
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| House | Jeonju Yi | ||||||||
| Father | Jungjong of Joseon | ||||||||
| Mother | Queen Munjeong | ||||||||
| Myeongjong of Joseon | |
| Hangul |
명종
|
|---|---|
| Hanja |
明宗
|
| Revised Romanization | Myeongjong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Myŏng-jong |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul |
이환
|
| Hanja |
李峘
|
| Revised Romanization | I Hwan |
| McCune–Reischauer | I Hwan |
Myeongjong of Joseon (born 1534, died 1567) was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. He ruled from 1545 to 1567. He was the second son of King Jungjong. His mother was Queen Munjeong, King Jungjong's third queen.
Myeongjong became king in 1545 when he was just 12 years old. This happened after his older half-brother, King Injong, passed away. Because Myeongjong was so young, his mother, Queen Munjeong, ruled the country for him.
Contents
Life of King Myeongjong
Political Groups and Power Struggles
When Myeongjong became king, there were two main political groups. These groups were called factions. One was the "Greater Yun" faction, led by Yun Im. He was the uncle of the previous king, Injong. The other was the "Lesser Yun" faction. This group was led by Myeongjong's own uncles, Yun Won-hyeong and Yun Won-ro.
The Greater Yun faction had been in power before Myeongjong became king. However, they could not get rid of their rivals. This was because Queen Munjeong protected the Lesser Yun faction and other officials who opposed the Greater Yun group.
After King Injong died in 1545, the Lesser Yun faction gained power. They removed their rivals in a harsh event called the Fourth Literati Purge of 1545. Yun Im was executed, and many of his supporters were also killed.
The Rise of Yun Won-hyeong
The Lesser Yun faction continued to attack those who opposed them. In 1546, Yun Won-hyeong accused his older brother, Yun Won-ro, of wrongdoing. Yun Won-ro and his followers were executed a few days later.
With no strong opposition, Yun Won-hyeong became a very powerful official. He became Minister of Personnel in 1548. Then, he became Left State Councilor in 1551. Finally, he became the Chief State Councilor in 1563. This was the highest government position.
Even though Yun Won-hyeong's rule was harsh, Queen Munjeong was a good leader. She gave land that used to belong to rich nobles to the common people. However, she continued to rule the country even after King Myeongjong turned 20. This was the age when he was old enough to rule on his own.
Queen Munjeong's Death and King Myeongjong's Rule
Queen Munjeong died in 1565. After her death, King Myeongjong decided to rule the kingdom himself. He had his uncle, Yun Won-hyeong, put to death. Yun Won-hyeong's second wife, Jeong Nan-jeong, was also executed. She had gained power because she was close to Queen Munjeong.
Yun Won-hyeong had allowed corruption to spread in the government. During this time, the kingdom was not stable. Groups like the Jurchens and the Japanese, along with rebellious troops, caused trouble. They threatened the government itself. A rebel leader named Im Kkeok-jeong was caught and executed in 1552. But attacks from outside continued. The Joseon Dynasty had to strengthen its army and navy to protect its borders.
King Myeongjong's Final Years
After taking full control, King Myeongjong tried to improve the government. He brought back scholars who had been sent away during the purges. However, he died only two years later, in 1567. He did not have any sons who could become king. His half-nephew, King Seonjo, became the next ruler in 1567.
Royal Family
- Father: King Jungjong of Joseon (1488 – 1544)
- Grandfather: King Seongjong of Joseon (1457 – 1494)
- Grandmother: Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (1462 – 1530)
- Mother: Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan (1501 – 1565)
- Grandfather: Yun Ji-Im (1475 – 1534)
- Grandmother: Lady Lee of the Jeonui Lee clan (1475 – 1511)
- Wives and Children:
- Queen Insun of the Cheongsong Shim clan (1532 – 1575)
- Yi Bu, Crown Prince Sunhoe (1551 – 1563)
- Royal Noble Consort Gyeong of the Jeonui Lee clan (1541 – 1595)
- Royal Noble Consort Sun of the Jeong clan (? – 1592)
- Royal Consort Gwi-in of the Shin clan
- Royal Consort So-ui of the Shin clan (1533 – 1565)
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Han clan
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Jeong clan
- Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Jeong clan
His Full Posthumous Name
- King Myeongjong Gongheon Heoneui Somun Gwangsuk Gyeonghyo the Great of Korea
- 明宗恭憲獻毅昭文光肅敬孝大王
