Sunjo of Joseon

Sunjo (29 July 1790 – 13 December 1834), personal name Yi Gong, was the 23rd monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Jeongjo by his concubine, Royal Noble Consort Su of the Bannam Park clan.

Biography
He was born with the title of His Royal Highness Prince Yi Gong on 29 July 1790 (18 June 1790 in lunar calendar). Upon the death of his father, King Jeongjo, Yi Gong ascended to the throne at age 10 on 4 July 1800, lunar calendar.

In 1802, aged 13, King Sunjo married Lady Kim, known posthumously as Queen Sunwon, daughter of Kim Jo-sun, who was a leader of the Andong Kim clan.

Since he ascended the throne at a young age, Queen Dowager Jeongsun, the second queen of King Yeongjo, ruled as queen regent, which allowed her to wield power over state affairs. Queen Jeongsun's influence was to such extent that during Sunjo's reign, the status of Lady Hyegyeong, the mother of Jeongjo and the grandmother of Sunjo, became a point of contention. During Jeonjo's reign, Lady Hyegyeong was treated with respect and as the mother of King Jeongjo despite the fact that Lady Hyegyeong was married to Crown Prince Sado who had been forced to commit suicide during the reign of Yeongjo, which had greatly affected Hyegyeong's status due to the controversy surrounding Sado's suicide. Following Sunjo's ascension, her status was lowered and despite Sunjo's efforts to reverse this later in his reign, they were unsuccessful. Despite King Sunjo's efforts to reform politics, the fundamental principles of government deteriorated. The state examination became disordered and corruption in the government personnel administration prevailed. This resulted in disorder in society and various riots broke out among the people, including the revolt by Hong Gyeong-nae in 1811–1812. The Ogajaktongbeop (五家作統法), a census registration system to group five houses as one unit, was carried out in this period, and oppression against Roman Catholicism began in earnest. In 1811 the last diplomatic envoys were sent by Korea to Japan. Based on records of that trip, a reconstruction of the diplomatic vessel has been made for the National Maritime Museum of Korea.

King Sunjo died after reigning for 35 years in 1834 at the age of 44. He was first buried next to Jangneung, Paju, the tomb of King Injo and Queen Inryeol but later moved to Illeung, Seoul as the Feng Shui at the old site was deemed to be unfavourable.

Family
Consort(s) and their respective issue
 * Father: King Jeongjo of Joseon (28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800)
 * Grandfather: King Jangjo of Joseon (13 February 1735 – 12 July 1762)
 * Grandmother: Queen Heongyeong of the Pungsan Hong clan (6 August 1735 – 13 January 1816)
 * Mother: Royal Noble Consort Su of the Bannam Park clan (8 May 1770 – 26 December 1822)
 * Grandfather: Park Jun-won (1739–1807)
 * Grandmother: Lady Won of the Wonju Won clan (1740–1783)
 * Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan (8 August 1789 – 21 September 1857)
 * Yi Yeong, Crown Prince Hyomyeong (18 September 1809 – 25 June 1830), first son
 * Princess Myeongon (1810–1832), first daughter
 * Princess Bokon (1818–1832), third daughter
 * Second son (1820–1820)
 * Princess Deokon (1822–1844), fourth daughter
 * Yi Byeon, King Cheoljong of Joseon (25 July 1831 – 16 January 1864), adopted son
 * Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Miryang Park clan (1791 – 1854)
 * Princess Yeongon (1817–1829), second daughter

In popular culture

 * Portrayed by Kim Seung-soo in the 2016 KBS2 TV series Love in the Moonlight.