Grand Prince Neungwon

Grand Prince Neungwon (15 May 1598 – 26 January 1656), personal name Yi Bo was a Korean politician of the late Joseon period. He was also a Korean Royal Prince as the second son of Wonjong of Joseon and Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan. He was the younger brother of Injo of Joseon.

Early life
The future Grand Prince Neungwon was born on 15 May 1598 (31st year reign of Seonjo of Joseon) in Seongcheon, Pyeongan-do, Joseon as the second son of Prince Jeongwon and Princess Consort Yeonju of the Neungseong Gu clan  during the Late Imjin War periods. Since child, he was spent a brief childhood in Pyeongyang-si, Pyeongan-do and grew up in his father's private residence in Hanseong-bu.

Meanwhile, later in 1608 (41st year reign of his grandfather, Seonjo of Joseon), at 11 years old, Bo was adopted as his 1st uncle, Prince Uian 's son. However, Prince Uian at 12 years old and later, in 1601, Bo was given royal title Master Neungwon at first and later changed into Prince Neungwon  in 1608.

During Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign
In 1608 (Gwanghaegun's ascension to the throne), immediately after Yu Yeong-Gyeong 's death in prison, the Prince become of Jeongunwonjonggongsin rank 1. Later, in 1613 (5th year reign of Gwanghaegun), after Prince Imhae was imprisoned, he became Iksawonjonggongsin rank 1. However, 4 years later in 1617 (10th year reign of Gwanghaegun), he was participated in the discussion on the abolition of Dowager Queen Inmok as the senior person in the palace. Other bureaucrats whom participated in these discussion were punished, but he wasn't got punished.

During Injo of Joseon's reign
Later, on 13 March 1623, his big brother, Prince Neungyang make a rebellion and then ascended the throne. However, when their youngest brother, Prince Neungchang was exiled to Gyo-dong on charges of treason in 1615 (7th year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon), he was immediately killed and died in there. Heard if the youngest brother was death, their father, Wonjong was so heartbroken over this and while drinking the alcohol, he died on 2 February 1619 (11st year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon) at 40 years old.

Then, on 22 December in the same year, Neungwon became an officer in Sodeokdaebu. However, in March 1625 (Injo's 3rd year reign), a man named Jeong Yeong-Sin, the servant of Neungwon's adopted father was beaten and got killed.

At this time, there were some ministers accused him, but Injo only believed the words of the servants who betrayed him and didn't conducted the investigation fairly, instead ordered the ministers to left. Afterwards, both of Yun Sun-Ji and Gim-Yu  were filed an appeal for fear that the state's words would be blocked and Injo then apologized for being too excessive.

However, on 28 November 1625 (Injo's 3rd year reign), when his mother, Lady Gyewoon became critically ill, Injo specially offered Hyeollokdaebu  to Neungwon in order to comfort his biological mother. Later, when their mother died on 10 February 1626, Neungwon become the resident instead of Injo. Numerous ministers argued that Neungwon, who had already been adopted by Prince Uian, couldn't be Lady Gyewoon's resident, but Injo didn't grant permission and refused it. After that, Neungwon must faced a difficult life because he was being dismissed from the office and must divorced from his wife, Lady Yu because her father was failed in conspiracy to make Prince Inseong, the first son of Seonjo of Joseon and Royal Noble Consort Jeong of the Yeoheung Min clan as the new King to succeed Gwanghae in the throne, so King Injo demanded him to divorced from her. At first, he refused this, but later removed her title and demoted to just be his concubine. Although that, she can still able to lived in his home. Meanwhile, when Injo concerned about his small house, Injo fell wrong with this and gave him a special palace in Yihyeon, Hanseong-bu as his house. Later, on 17 September 1628 (Injo's 5th year reign), Neungwon became Somuwonjonggongsin rank 1.

After military service and ranks
Later, after Injo's ascension to the throne, their father was honoured as King Wonjong and their mother was honoured as Queen Inheon. Then, on 4 May 1623 (Injo's 10th year reign), he was honoured as Grand Prince Neungwon along with his younger brother who died as Grand Prince Neungchang. In 1645 (Injo's 23rd year reign), he received a portion of the envoys from Dorgon who was the Prince regent of Qing dynasty.

Later, in September 1646 (24th year reign of Injo of Joseon), after Sim Gi-won 's rebellion case was ended, Neungwon became Yeonggukgongsin and then Yeonggukwonjonggongsin  in September 1646 (Injo's 24th year reign).

Faction
Famous figures of his faction were such as the Politician Yi Jin-Yong  and the playwright Yi Hae-Rang. Meanwhile, since the Prince was adopted by his 1st uncle, his faction was sometimes called as Prince Uian Faction.

Died and later life
He later died on 26 January 1656 (7th year reign of his nephew, Hyojong of Joseon) at 57 years old and received his posthumous name, then, was buried in Nokchon-ri, Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province along with his wife. On the other hand, it was said that he also claimed the theory of Cheokhwa together with Gim Sang-Heon, who was a presiding officer at the time, despite the growing public opinion insisting on strengthening the Qing dynasty.

He was also ignorant of Buddhism and didn't even look the cause, but after his 1st father in-law, Yu Hyo-Rib was punished and exiled, he faced his wife, wept and complained about this. It was said that he lived together as before without any regrets.

Family
Grand Prince Neungwon had 20 grandchildren and 45 middle-grandsons, almost of them were lived with prospering. His Sindo was written by Song Siyeol  and Jo Sa-U.

Sibling(s):
 * Father:
 * Biological - Wonjong of Joseon (2 August 1580 – 29 December 1619)
 * Adopted (Uncle) - Yi Seong, Prince Uian (1577 – 20 March 1588)
 * Grandfather - Seonjo of Joseon (26 November 1552 – 16 March 1608)
 * Grandmother - Royal Noble Consort In of the Suwon Kim clan (1555 – 10 December 1613)
 * Mother - Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan (17 April 1578 – 14 January 1626)
 * Grandfather - Gu Sa-maeng, Duke Munui, Internal Prince Neungan (1531 – 1 April 1604)
 * Grandmother - Internal Princess Consort Pyeongsan of the Pyeongsan Sin clan (1538–1562)
 * Older brother - Yi Jong, Grand Prince Neungyang (7 December 1595 – 17 June 1649)
 * Sister-in-law - Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan (16 August 1594 – 16 January 1636)
 * Nephew - Yi Wang, Crown Prince Sohyeon (5 February 1612 – 21 May 1645)
 * Nephew - Yi Ho, King Hyojong (3 July 1619 – 23 June 1659)
 * Nephew - Yi Yo, Grand Prince Inpyeong (10 December 1622 – 13 May 1658)
 * Nephew - Yi Gon, Grand Prince Yongseong (24 October 1624 – 22 December 1629)
 * Unnamed niece (1626–1626)
 * Unnamed nephew (1629–1629)
 * Unnamed nephew (12 January 1635 – 16 January 1635)
 * Sister-in-law - Queen Jangryeol of the Yangju Jo clan (16 December 1624 – 20 September 1688) — No issue.
 * Younger brother - Yi Jeon, Grand Prince Neungchang (16 July 1599 – 17 November 1615)
 * Sister-in-law - Grand Princess Consort Gu of the Neungseong Gu clan
 * Adoptive nephew - Yi Yo, Grand Prince Inpyeong (1622–1658); 3rd son of King Injo
 * Consorts and their Respective Issue(s):
 * 1) Grand Princess Consort Munhwa of the Munhwa Ryu clan (27 October 1598 – 3 August 1676)
 * 2) Grand Princess Consort of the Yeongam Kim clan (9 March 1610 – 25 January 1696)
 * 3) Yi Sik, Prince Yeongpung (?–1692)
 * 4) Yi Ham, Prince Yeongeun
 * 5) Yi Hyeong, Prince Yeongsin
 * 6) Yi Jeong, Prince Yeongchun
 * 7) Yi Yu
 * 8) Lady Yi
 * 9) Lady Yi Yeong-Jeong (1639–1657)
 * 10) Lady Yi

Legacy

 * His tomb designated as Gyeonggi Province Cultural Heritage Material No. 115 on 16 September 2002 by the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea.