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Queen Munjeong and Yun Won-hyung's Dominance

Type Event Region Asia Time 1551–1565

After the Esa literati purge (1545), Queen Munjeong served as regent for King Myeongjong (Yi Hwan), with her brother Yun Won-hyung leading the purge;…

Timeline

  1. 1545–1558Hanseong · HanseongIn the 1545 Esa literati purge, Yun Won-hyung's faction eliminated political rivals including Yun In. Queen Munjeong formally served as regent 1445–1553 (1545–1553), and even after King Myeongjong (Yi Hwan) came of age he remained constrained by his mother and maternal relatives. Yun Won-hyung served as Right State Councillor in 1551 and 1558. Kim Anguk had already died in 1543 and must not be listed as Chief State Councillor or as executed in 1565.
  2. 1563–1565Hanseong · HanseongYun Won-hyung served as Chief State Councillor 1563–1565. On May 15, 1565, Queen Munjeong died at Changdeokgung; Yun Won-hyung lost power and was exiled, and on November 18 took his own life along with his second wife Jeong Nan-jeong. The opened page records no major eunuch purge in the 1550s, and does not adopt the unverified name 'Yi Geol'.

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