Yun Won-hyeong facts for kids

Yun Won-hyeong (Korean: 윤원형, 尹元衡; 1509 – 18 November 1565) was an important political figure in Korea during the Joseon period. He was the younger brother of Queen Munjeong, who was the third wife of King Jungjong. This made him the maternal uncle of the 13th King, Myeongjong.

Yun Won-hyeong held a very high position as Chief State Councillor from 1563 to 1565. His courtesy name, which was a special name used by scholars, was Eonpyung (Hangul: 언평; Hanja: 彦平). In 1565, after his sister Queen Munjeong passed away, Yun Won-hyeong and his wife, Jeong Nan-jeong, were sent away from the capital city. They were unable to return to power and later died by taking poison.

Yun Won-hyeong's Early Life and Family

Yun Won-hyeong was born in 1509. He was the fourth son and youngest child of Yun Ji-im and Lady Lee. His family was part of the Papyeong Yun clan, a powerful aristocratic family.

• His older sister, Lady Yun, later became Queen Munjeong. She married King Jungjong and became the new Queen Consort in March 1515.
• Queen Munjeong and King Jungjong had a son named Grand Prince Gyeongwon, who later became King Myeongjong. This made Yun Won-hyeong the uncle of a future king!

Yun Won-hyeong's family was very connected to the royal family. His niece, Royal Noble Consort Suk, even became a concubine to King Injong.

Yun Won-hyeong's Political Journey

In 1533, Yun Won-hyeong passed the national examinations. These were very difficult tests that people had to pass to become government officials. After passing, he was appointed to a position in the literature department.

While working as an officer, Yun Won-hyeong also worked hard to make sure his nephew, Grand Prince Gyeongwon, would become the next king of Joseon. This caused some problems, and he was temporarily sent away from the capital. However, he returned in 1544.

He faced conflicts with other powerful relatives who were also officials, like Yun Im and Kim Ahn-ro. These situations were tricky because of family ties. For example, Kim Ahn-ro's granddaughter was married to Yun Won-hyeong's own nephew. Also, Yun Im was the uncle of King Injong.

Rise to Power and Later Years

Big changes happened in the royal family. King Jungjong died in 1543, and King Injong died in 1545. After these events, Yun Won-hyeong gained a lot of power. He removed his opponents and relatives who supported his third cousin, including Yun Im. His own brother, Yun Won-ro, was also killed during a political event known as the Eulsa massacre.

By 1546, Yun Won-hyeong had a strong hold on political power. He quickly rose through the ranks:

• In 1547, he became the Minister of Personnel (Ijo Panseo).
• In 1551, he became the Left State Councillor.
• In 1563, he reached the highest position: Chief State Councillor.

However, when his powerful sister, Queen Munjeong, died in 1565, Yun Won-hyeong lost all his political influence. This led to him and his second wife, Jeong Nan-jeong, ending their lives.

Family Connections

• Father: Yun Ji-im (Hangul: 윤지임; Hanja: 尹之任; 1475 – 1534)
• Mother: Internal Princess Consort Jeonseong of the Jeonui Lee clan (Hangul: 전성부부인 전의 이씨; Hanja: 全城府夫人 全義李氏; 1475–1511)
• Siblings:
  • Older brother: Yun Won-gae (Hangul: 윤원개; Hanja: 尹元凱; 1493–1535)
  • Older brother: Yun Won-ryang (Hangul: 윤원량; Hanja: 尹元亮; 1495–1569)
    • Niece: Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Papyeong Yun clan (숙빈 윤씨; 1520–?)
      • Nephew-in-law: Yi Ho, King Injong of Joseon (조선 인종; 1515 — 1545)
  • Older brother: Yun Won-pil (Hangul: 윤원필; Hanja: 尹元弼; 1496 – 1547)
  • Older sister: Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (Hangul: 윤씨; 1499–?)
  • Older sister: Queen Munjeong of the Papyeong Yun clan (Hangul: 문정왕후 윤씨; Hanja: 文定王后 尹氏; 1501 – 1565)
    • Brother-in-law: Yi Yeok, King Jungjong of Joseon (Hangul: 조선 중종; 1488 – 1544)
  • Older brother: Yun Won-ro (Hangul: 윤원로; Hanja: 尹元老; 1503–1546)
• Wives and Children:
  • Lady Kim of the Yeonan Kim clan (Hangul: 연안 김씨; born 1509)
    • Daughter: Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨; born 1536)
    • Son: Yun Chong-won (Hangul: 윤충원; Hanja: 尹忠源; born 1540)
    • Son: Yun Hyo-won (Hangul: 윤효원; Hanja: 尹孝源; born 1550)
  • Jeong Nan-jeong (Hangul: 정난정; Hanja: 鄭允謙) of the Chogye Jeong clan (Hangul: 초계 정씨; Hanja: 草溪 鄭氏; 1509–1565)
    • Daughter: Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (Hangul: 파평 윤씨; born 1545)

See also

• Eulsa massacre
• Jeong Nan-jeong
• Yi Gi
• Yun Im, Yun's third cousin
• Queen Jeonghui, Yun's ancestor through his father
• Queen Janggyeong, Yun's third cousin
• Kim Ahn-ro