Jeongjo of Joseon

Hwaseong Fortress.

King Jeongjo was a ruler of Joseon, a state in what is now Korea. Because of his various attempts to reform and improve the nation, King Jeongjo is regarded as the reformation ruler (개혁군주) in Korea. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo (1724–1776) and succeeded by his son King Sunjo (1800–1834).

He was the son of Crown Prince Sado, who was put to death by his own father, King Yeongjo. His mother, Lady Hyegyǒng wrote an autobiography, The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyǒng (한중록, 閑中錄), detailing her life as the ill-fated Crown Princess of Korea. This collection of memoirs serve as an invaluable source of historical information on the political happenings during the reigns of King Yeongjo, King Jeongjo and King Sunjo.

He made various reforms throughout his reign, notably establishing Kyujanggak (규장각), an imperial library. However, its purpose was to improve the cultural and political stance of Joseon and to recruit gifted officers to run the nation. Also, it was created to lessen the grip of various wealthy aristocrats and relatives of the queen, which had occurred various times throughout Korea's history. Jeongjo had the support of the many Silhak scholars. also, Silhak scholars aid of Jeongjo's regal power. and during the Jeongjo's reign advance of Popular culture.

Through his reforms, King Jeongjo met Hong Guk-yeong(홍국영, 洪國榮), a controversial politician who first toiled to improve the king's power, but ended up trying to assassinate the monarch.

Jeongjo spent much of his reign trying to clear his mentally-ill father's name. He also moved the court to the city of Suwon to be closer to his father's grave. He built Hwaseong Fortress to guard the tomb. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

His full posthumous name

• King Jeongjo Gyeongcheon Myeongdo Hongdeok Hyeonmo Munseonng Muryeol Seongin Janghyo the Great of Korea
• 정조경천명도홍덕현모문성무렬성인장효대왕
• 正祖敬天明道洪德顯謨文成武烈聖仁莊孝大王

Family

• Father: Crown Prince Sado.
• Mother: Lady Hyegyǒng.
• Consorts:

1. Queen Hyoeui
2. Royal Noble Consort Seon from the Seong clan.
3. Royal Noble Consort Su from the Park clan.
4. Royal Noble Consort Won from the Hong clan.
5. Royal Noble Consort Hwa from the Yun clan.

• Children:

1. Crown Prince Munhyo, Only son of Lady Seong.
2. Sunjo, Only son of Lady Park.
3. Princess Sukseon, Only daughter of Lady Park.

Portrayal in works of media

Jeongjo is portrayed in two modern dramas.

• Yi San - primarily concerns his life story.

• The Ballad of Seoul - also known as "Conspiracy in the Court", this story starts from a mystery thriller evolving into a court intrigue surrounding the king and his conservative ministers.

External links

• Official site of Hwaseong Fortress

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