Loading

Joseon

North Korea, 1392–1897. Draft, not yet reviewed

Joseon was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in 1897. Neo-Confucianism was installed as the new state's ideology. The kingdom was severely weakened by failed Japanese invasions in 1592 and 1598, which were followed by invasions by the Later Jin dynasty in 1627 and the Qing dynasty in 1636-1637.

Seat of power: Hanseongbu

Rulers

Taejong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1400–1418

Taejong was the third monarch of Joseon and the father of Sejong the Great. He ascended to the throne upon the abdication of his elder brother, King Jeongjong. He also helped in the founding of Joseon by assassinating powerful officials who remained loyal to Goryeo, most prominently Chŏng Mongju.

Sejong the Great

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1418–1450

Sejong was the fourth monarch of the Koreanic state Joseon and ruled from 1418 to his death in 1450. He is widely regarded as the greatest king in Korean history, and is particularly remembered for the creation of Hangul, the native alphabet of the Korean language. Sejong's reign was marked by major developments in science, technology, medicine, agriculture, and the arts.

Seongjong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1469–1495

Seongjong was the ninth monarch of Joseon. He ascended to the throne upon the death of his sickly uncle, King Yejong.

Jungjong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1506–1544

Jungjong was the 11th monarch of Joseon. Jungjong worked hard to wipe out the remnants of Yeonsangun's era by reopening Sungkyunkwan (the royal university) and the Office of Censors (which criticizes inappropriate actions of the king). However, during the early days of his reign, the new king could not exert the royal power freely as those who put him on the throne held immense control over the country.

Myeongjong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1545–1567

Myeongjong was the 13th monarch of Joseon. He ascended to the throne at the age of 11, upon the death of his childless half-brother, King Injong. Since he was too young to govern, his mother became regent.

Seonjo of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1567–1608

Seonjo was the 14th monarch of Joseon. At the beginning of his reign, he promoted Confucianism and attempted reforms. However, he later gained infamy due to the political discord and incompetent leadership during the Imjin War.

Portrait of Seonjo of Joseon: 朝鮮画师, Public domain, file

Gwanghaegun of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1608–1623

Gwanghaegun was the 15th monarch of Joseon. He was deposed in a coup d'état led by his nephew, Prince Neungyang (King Injo). Gwanghaegun acted as the de facto ruler of Joseon beginning in 1592, commanding battles and taking care of the reconstruction of the nation after the devastating wars in place of old and weak King Seonjo.

Injo of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1623–1649

Injo was the 16th monarch of Joseon. Today, he is considered a weak and incompetent king, as during his reign the country experienced Yi Kwal's Rebellion, the Later Jin invasion, the Qing invasion, and an economic recession, while the government was corrupt and ineffective.

Hyeonjong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1659–1674

Hyeonjong was the 18th monarch of Joseon. His reign was characterized by heavy conflict among the political factions on various issues, particularly on funeral rites. He is also remembered as the only king in Joseon's more than 500 years of history who did not take concubines.

Sukjong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1674–1720

Sukjong was the 19th monarch of Joseon. A skilled legislator, he reduced the influence of the scholar-officials and strengthened royal authority by alternating his support between the Namin (Southerners), Seoin (Westerners), Soron and Noron political factions. Nevertheless, the chaotic changes of government did not affect the general populace significantly, and his reign is considered one of more prosperous times.

Portrait of Sukjong of Joseon: 河應達, Public domain, file

Yeongjo of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1724–1776

Yeongjo was the 21st monarch of Joseon. Yeongjo is most remembered for his reform of the taxation system, and persistent efforts to reconcile the various political factions through his Tangpyeong policy. His reign of nearly 52 years was also marked by the highly contentious execution of his only surviving son, Crown Prince Sado, in 1762.

Portrait of Yeongjo of Joseon: Chae Yong-sin / Jo Seokjin, Public domain, file

Jeongjo of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1776–1800

Jeongjo was the 22nd monarch of Joseon. Despite the persistence of factional struggles, his reign marked a cultural and political renaissance, and is considered one of the high points of the Joseon period. He encouraged the publication of literary collections and legal codes, established the Jangyongyeong Guard and the Kyujanggak Royal Library, and ordered the construction of Hwaseong Fortress.

Portrait of Jeongjo of Joseon: Aitadzh Z, CC BY-SA 4.0, file

Sunjo of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1800–1834

Sunjo was the 23rd monarch of Joseon. He ascended to the throne at the age of 10, upon the death of his father, King Jeongjo. His reign was marked by the persecution of Catholics and his failed attempts at reforms that resulted in riots, notably Hong Kyŏngnae's Rebellion.

Portrait of Sunjo of Joseon: AnonymousUnknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0, file

Heonjong of Joseon

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1834–1849

Heonjong was the 24th monarch of Joseon. Although King Heonjong ascended to the throne, he had no political control over Joseon. Heonjong was the youngest monarch to ascend the throne in Joseon's history.

Portrait of Heonjong of Joseon: peintre anonyme, Public domain, file

Gojong of the Korean Empire

king of Joseon Dynasty, 1863–1897

He ruled Korea for 43 years, from 1864 until his forced abdication in 1907, initially as the 26th king of Joseon, and then as the first emperor of the Korean Empire. His biological father, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon, acted as regent until he reached the age of majority, although he continued holding power until 1874. In 1876, Japan forcefully opened up Korea and began a decades-long process of moving the peninsula into its own sphere of influence.

Portrait of Gojong of the Korean Empire: This photo was taken in 1907., Public domain, file

Culture

Picture

Changdeokgung was established in 1405 as the second palace in Seoul, after Joseon's official main palace Gyeongbokgung.

Image: 문화재청, KOGL Type 1, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.