Queen Sunwon facts for kids

Queen Sunwon (순원왕후; 8 June 1789 – 21 September 1857) was a powerful queen of the Joseon kingdom. She was born into the Andong Kim clan and became the wife of King Sunjo. After her husband passed away in 1834, she was known as Queen Dowager Myeonggyeong.

Queen Sunwon held a lot of power. She served as a Regent (someone who rules when the king is too young or unable to) two times. First, she was regent from 1834 to 1841 for her young grandson, King Heonjong. Later, she was regent again from 1849 to 1852 for her adopted son, King Cheoljong. She was later given the special title Sunwon, the Respectful Empress after her death.

Biography

Early Life and Marriage

Queen Sunwon was born on June 8, 1789. Her birth name was Lady Kim. She was the first daughter of Kim Jo-sun and Lady Sim of the Cheongsong Sim clan. Her family, the Andong Kim clan, was very important and powerful in Joseon.

In 1802, when she was 13 years old, Lady Kim married King Sunjo. She then became the Queen of Joseon.

Life as Queen and Regent

As Queen, she had five children with King Sunjo. Her children included Crown Prince Hyomyeong (born in 1809), Princess Myeongon (born in 1810), Princess Bokon (born in 1818), and Princess Deokon (born in 1828). One son sadly passed away when he was a baby in 1820.

When King Sunjo died in 1834, their grandson, Heonjong, became king. He was only eight years old. Because he was so young, Queen Sunwon became the regent. This meant she ruled the country for him. During this time, her family, the Andong Kim clan, held most of the political power.

However, in 1840, the power shifted. It went to the family of King Heonjong's mother, Queen Sinjeong, who belonged to the Pungyang Jo clan. This change happened after the Catholic persecution of 1839, a time when followers of Catholicism faced difficulties.

Queen Sunwon faced personal sadness, outliving all her children. Her daughter, Princess Deokon, passed away in 1844.

In 1849, her grandson, King Heonjong, died. Queen Sunwon became regent again, this time for her adopted son, King Cheoljong. She used her influence to arrange for King Cheoljong to marry a girl from her own clan in 1851. This girl became Queen Cheorin. Queen Sunwon continued to rule as regent until 1852, the fourth year of King Cheoljong's reign.

Queen Sunwon passed away at Changdeok Palace on September 21, 1857. After her death, the power of the Andong Kim clan slowly faded away. This happened when Queen Sinjeong adopted Internal Prince Heungseon’s son, Yi Myeong-bok, to be the next king. Queen Sinjeong then gave all power to Internal Prince Heungseon, which ended the influence of both the Andong Kim clan and the Pungyang Jo clan.

Queen Sunwon is buried with her husband, King Sunjo, in a place called Inreung. This burial site is in Naegok-dong, Seocho District, Seoul.

Family

• Father: Kim Jo-sun (1765–1832)
• Mother: Internal Princess Consort Cheongyang of the Cheongsong Sim clan (1766 - 1828)
• Husband: King Sunjo of Joseon (1790–1834)
  • Father-in-law: King Jeongjo of Joseon (1752–1800)
  • Mother-in-law: Royal Noble Consort Su of the Bannam Park clan (1770–1823)
• Children:
  • Crown Prince Hyomyeong (1809–1830)
    • Wife: Crown Princess Jo of the Pungyang Jo clan (1809–1890)
      • Grandson: King Heonjong of Joseon (1827–1849)
  • Princess Myeongon (1810–1832)
  • Princess Bokon (1818–1828)
  • An unnamed son (1820)
  • Princess Deokon (1828–1844)
• Adopted Son: King Cheoljong of Joseon (1831–1864)
  • Wife: Queen Cheorin of the Andong Kim clan (1837–1878)