Sukjong of Joseon

Timeline

1. 1661–1674Gyeonghuigung · HanseongBorn in the Hoeuijeon Hall of Gyeonghuigung in Hanseong, his name was Yi Gwang, later changed to Yi Sun, style name Myeongbo. Eldest legitimate son of Hyunjong and Queen Myeongseong of the Kim clan, he was invested as crown prince in 1667. He received royal lectures and Neo-Confucian education in the Eastern Palace, and before age fourteen had already taken part in court rites such as the funeral of Queen Inseon, preparing the Confucian discourse he would later deploy in ritual disputes and factional strife.
2. 1674–1694Injeongjeon Hall, Changdeokgung · HanseongAfter Hyunjong's death in 1674, the fourteen-year-old crown prince, following declinations and mourning rites, ascended the throne at Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung. He first employed the Nam-in Heo Chip; the Gyeongsin hwan'gyo of 1680 executed Heo Chip and Yun Gi-seon on charges of treason, bringing the Seoin to power. The Seoin soon split into Noron (Song Si-yeol) and So-ron. The Gisi hwan'gyo of 1689, over making Consort Jang's son crown prince and deposing Queen Inhyeon, brought the Nam-in back and Song Si-yeol was forced to die. The Gapseo hwan'gyo of 1694 again expelled the Nam-in, restored Inhyeon, and demoted Consort Jang; royal power rose amid repeated purges.
3. 1694–1720Gyeonghuigung · HanseongAfter Gapseo the Seoin again held power; in 1701 Consort Jang was forced to die on charges of sorcery. Sukjong promoted the Daedong law, minted coinage, and relaxed career prospects for sons of concubines. In 1696 Tsushima acknowledged Ulleungdo as Joseon's. In 1712 he demarcated the Yalu and Tumen borders with Qing envoys. Noron supported Prince Yeon-gyeong, son of Noble Consort Choi (later King Yeongjo), while So-ron supported the crown prince, son of Consort Jang (later King Gyeongjong). After 1717 the crown prince governed on his behalf. He died in 1720, temple name Sukjong, buried at Myeongneung.