Yeonsangun of Joseon facts for kids

Yeonsangun of Joseon (born Yi Yung, 23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506) was the tenth ruler of the Joseon dynasty in Korea. He is often remembered as one of the most difficult rulers in Korean history. He was known for his harsh actions, including punishing many scholars and officials who disagreed with him. He also used royal buildings for his own fun and took away land from people. Yeonsangun's rule was very different from his father's more open and fair leadership. Because he was removed from power, he did not receive a special "temple name" like other kings.

Biography of King Yeonsangun

His Mother's Story

Yeonsangun's biological mother, Lady Yun, became the second wife of his father, King Seongjong. This happened after the king's first wife passed away without an heir. Lady Yun gave birth to Yi Yung, who would later become Yeonsangun.

However, Lady Yun was known for being very jealous of the king's other wives. One night, she even hurt the king. When the king's mother, Royal Queen Dowager Insu, found out, Lady Yun was sent away from the palace. Later, officials decided she should be removed from her position.

The Scholar Purges

Yeonsangun grew up believing that Queen Jeonghyeon, his father's third wife, was his mother. He became king in 1495. At first, he was a good ruler. He worked to make the country's defenses stronger and helped people who were struggling.

However, he also showed a quick temper. Soon after becoming king, he punished one of his teachers.

Later, Yeonsangun discovered the truth about his biological mother. He wanted to give her back her royal titles and honor her memory. But many government officials, especially those from the Sarim group, disagreed. They said they were following King Seongjong's wishes. This made Yeonsangun very angry, and he began to look for ways to remove these officials.

In 1498, a scholar named Gim Il-son wrote something in the royal records that criticized an earlier king, King Sejo. This led to the First Literati Purge. During this time, many scholars were punished or removed from their positions.

In 1504, a man named Im Sa-hong told Yeonsangun all the details about his mother's removal. He even showed him a piece of cloth that was said to have her blood on it. After this, Yeonsangun became even more furious. He punished two of his father's other wives, Lady Jeong and Lady Eom, because he believed they played a part in his mother's fate. His grandmother, Grand Royal Queen Dowager Insu, also passed away after an argument with him.

Yeonsangun then ordered the punishment of many officials who had supported his mother's removal. He even ordered the grave of a deceased official, Han Myeong-hoe, to be opened and the body to be further dishonored. This period of harsh punishments is known as the Second Literati Purge.

Controlling Speech and Learning

Yeonsangun took control of Sungkyunkwan, which was the royal university. He also closed the Wongaksa Temple. He turned these important places into his own private pleasure grounds.

He also destroyed a large part of the capital city. He forced 20,000 people to leave their homes to build hunting grounds for himself. Many ordinary people were made to work on these projects without pay. Some people wrote messages in hangul (the Korean alphabet) to criticize him. In response, Yeonsangun banned the use of hangul.

When court officials tried to tell him that his actions were wrong, he removed the offices that were supposed to advise the king and criticize his policies. He made his ministers wear signs that warned them to be careful with their words.

Even the Chief Eunuch, Gim Cheo-sun, who had served three kings, tried to advise Yeonsangun. But the king reacted very harshly, punishing him and his family.

Yeonsangun's Removal from Power

In 1506, after 12 years of his rule, a group of officials decided they could no longer tolerate Yeonsangun's actions. These officials, including Park Won-jong and Seong Hui-an, planned to remove him from the throne.

They carried out their plan in September 1506. They removed Yeonsangun from power and made his younger half-brother, Grand Prince Jinseong, the new king. Yeonsangun was given the title "Prince Yeonsan" and sent away to Ganghwa Island. He passed away there about two months later. His concubine, Jang Nok-su, who had supported his harsh rule, was also punished.

Family

• Father: King Seongjong of Joseon (조선 성종) (19 August 1457 – 20 January 1495)
  • Grandfather: King Deokjong of Joseon (조선 덕종) (3 October 1438 – 2 September 1457)
  • Grandmother: Queen Sohye of the Cheongju Han clan (소혜왕후 한씨) (7 October 1437 – 11 May 1504)
• Biological mother: Deposed Queen Yun of the Haman Yun clan (폐비 윤씨) (15 July 1455 – 29 August 1482)
  • Grandfather: Yun Gi-gyeon (윤기견)
  • Grandmother: Lady Shin of the Goryeong Shin clan (고령 신씨)
• Adoptive mother: Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (정현왕후 윤씨) (21 July 1462 – 13 September 1530)

Consorts and their respective issue(s):

1. Deposed Queen Shin of the Geochang Shin clan (폐비 신씨) (15 December 1476 – 16 May 1537)
   1. Yi Su-eok, Deposed Princess Hwisin (폐휘신공주 이수억) (2 September 1491 – ?)
   2. Deposed Crown Prince Yi Hwang (폐세자 이황) (10 January 1498 – 24 September 1506)
   3. Yi Seong, Deposed Grand Prince Changnyeong (폐창녕대군 이성) (18 June 1500 – 24 September 1506)
2. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-ui of the Yangseong Yi clan (폐숙의 이씨)
   1. Yi In, Deposed Prince Yangpyeong (폐양평군 이강수) (1498 – 1506)
3. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-ui of the Haepyeong Yun clan (폐숙의 윤씨) (1481 – 1568)
4. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-ui of the Hyeonpung Gwak clan (폐숙의 곽씨)
5. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-ui of the Gwon clan (폐숙의 권씨)
6. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-ui of the Yeoheung Min clan (폐숙의 민씨) (? – 1519)
7. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-yong of the Heungdeok Jang clan (폐숙용 장씨) (? – 1506)
8. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-yong of the Damyang Jeon clan (폐숙용 전씨) (? – 1506)
9. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-yong of the Jo clan (폐숙용 조씨)
10. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-won of the Choe clan (폐숙원 최씨)
11. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-won of the Gim clan (폐숙원 김씨) (? – 1506)
12. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-won of the Jang clan (폐숙원 장씨)
13. Deposed Royal Consort Sug-won of the Yi clan (폐숙원 이씨)

See also

In Spanish: Yeonsangun de Joseon para niños

• List of monarchs of Korea
• History of Korea
• Politics of the Joseon dynasty