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Yi Hwang (Gwanghaegun)

Type Figure Region Korean Peninsula Time 1575–1641 Also known as 光海君、Gwanghaegun、광해군

Yi Hwang (1575–1641), second son of King Seonjo of Joseon (his elder brother was Grand Prince Imhae, Yi Seong), born to Royal Noble Consort Gongbin K…

Timeline

  1. 1575–1591Hanseong · Gyeonggi ProvinceSecond son born to King Seonjo and Royal Noble Consort Gongbin Kim, whose elder brother was Grand Prince Imhae, Yi Seong. Because the queen bore no sons and his elder brother lost favor, he gradually entered the line of succession; he was not Seonjo's eldest son by a concubine.
  2. 1592–1600Uiju · North Pyongan ProvinceAfter the outbreak of the Japanese invasions he moved north with King Seonjo, was designated crown prince, took part in regency and diplomatic affairs, witnessed the entire course of the Ming-Joseon joint resistance, and accumulated political experience.
  3. 1608–1623Hanseong · Gyeonggi ProvinceHe acceded in 1608 after King Seonjo's death. That year he established the Seonhyecheong and trialed the Daedong system in Gyeonggi Province; he pursued balanced diplomacy toward Ming and Later Jin. Opposition arose from deposing his mother Queen Dowager of the West Palace and executing Grand Prince Imhae and Grand Prince Yeongchang, and he was deposed as Gwanghaegun in the Injo Restoration of 1623.

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