Biography

Early life

He was the son of Crown Prince Sado (who was put to death when Jeongjo was 11 by his father, King Yeongjo) and Lady Hyegyeong (who wrote an autobiography, The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong detailing her life as the ill-fated Crown Princess of Korea). His elder brother Crown Prince Uiso died in infancy. His mother Lady Hyegyeong's collection of memoirs serves as a significant source of historical information on the political happenings during the reigns of King Yeongjo (her father-in-law), King Jeongjo (her son), and King Sunjo (her grandson).

In 1762, his father, Crown Prince Sado, was executed (by imprisonment in a rice chest) by King Yeongjo (Crown Prince Sado's father and Prince Yi San's grandfather) after long conflicts and Sado's years of mental illness. Crown Prince Sado opposed the ruling Noron party. He started to hate the parties of Joseon. Eight years later Yi San asked to visit Sado's living quarter but his Grandfather King Yeongjo refused. So he refused to attend Crown Prince Sado's funeral. On 21 February 1764, Yi San became the adoptive son of Crown Prince Hyojang and Princess Consort Hyosun by the order of King Yeongjo. Crown Prince Hyojang was the elder half-brother of his father, Crown Prince Sado. Crown Prince Hyojang though, had died during his childhood. King Yeongjo made Yi San a part of Hyojang's family because he was concerned that Yi San, who was Sado's son and successor, would be opposed. The Noron faction protested Yi San's legitimacy as the royal successor under the claim that Yi San was the 'Son of a prisoner' or 'Son of a madman' and thus ineligible to succeed the throne. This was a major source of vexation for King Yeongjo for an extended period.

After 1762 to 1777, some members of Noron attempted to depose Jeongjo for his relation to Crown Prince Sado and open the path of succession for his half-brothers Prince Eunjeon, Prince Euneon and, Prince Eunshin. His grand uncle Hong In-han and Jeong Hu-gyeom, adopted son of Princess Hwawan, were amongst them.

When he was the Crown Prince, King Jeongjo met Hong Guk-yeong (홍국영, 洪国荣), a controversial politician who first strongly supported Jeongjo's accession and toiled to improve the king's power, but ended up being expelled because of his desire for power. Another helper was Kim Jong-su (김종수, 金锺秀), despite being a member of Noron.

In 1775, one year before King Yeongjo's death, King Jeongjo was appointed regent. However, King Yeongjo did not give him any military power.

Reign

Before Yeongjo died, Jeongjo had his coronation in Gyeonghuigung on 10 March 1776. After his coronation, Jeongjo chose his spouse. The first thing that Jeongjo said to his officials was that he was the son of Jangjo (temple name of Crown Prince Sado) who was executed by the former king.

Jeongjo tried to empathize with his people. During his second year of reign, a great drought came. During the drought, Jeongjo was nervous just like the people and did a rainmaking ritual for his people. He also was deeply concerned about the continuing outbreaks of measles epidemics, and among other things supplied free public medicines in an attempt curb the death rates.

Concerned about political factions, Jeongjo continued his grandfather's policy of Tangpyeong (political harmony policy) in an attempt to balance political factions. By this, he tried to get rid of the parties which caused his father's death.

From the first day of the reign, Jeongjo spent much of his reign trying to clear his father's name. He also moved the court to the city of Suwon to be closer to his father's grave. He built Hwaseong Fortress to guard the tomb. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jeongjo was always threatened by some of his officials who were against his reign. He was able to overcome these challenges with the help of Hong Guk-yeong and others.

During his accession, he also issued a royal decree that his mother, Lady Hyegyeong, be a Dowager Queen since his father, her husband, was supposed to be the King before him. Thus, she became the Queen Dowager, the widow of Jangjo. From then on, King Jeongjo experienced many turbulent periods, but overcame them with the aid of Hong Guk-yeong, Kim Chong-su.

In 1776, Hong Sang-beom, Hong Kye-neung and other some member of Noron unsuccessfully attempted to stage a military coup d'état and assassinate him. Jeongjo fought the rebels who were secretly in royal palace and personally arrested his assassins. Jeongjo executed Hong Sang-beom, Hong Kye-neung, and another some member of Norons, and put to death Prince Eunjeon, Hong In-han, and Chung Hu-kyom.

Jeongjo tried to impeach Hong Guk-yeong in an attempt to stop the concentration of political power in single family but the impeachment failed.

In 1785 he established Changyongyeong (장용영, 壮勇营) as the King's royal bodyguards. Jeongjo had started selecting officers by competitive examination since 1782 to recruit them into the Changyongyeong unit, to replace the Naekeunwe (corps of Joseon Dynasty royal bodyguards created by Taejong of Joseon in 1407), which he no longer trusted.

Renaissance

King Jeongjo led the renaissance of Joseon, but was initially busy continuing the policy of Yeongjo's Tangpyeong ("Magnificent Harmony"; 荡平, 탕평) policy of political reconciliation between the parties. He tried to control the politics of the whole nation to advance and further national progress.

He made various reforms throughout his reign, notably establishing Kyujanggak (규장각), a royal library. The primary purpose of Kyujanggak was to improve the cultural and political stance of Joseon and to recruit gifted officers to help run the nation. Jeongjo also spearheaded bold new social initiatives, including opening government positions to those who were previously barred because of their social status.

He cultivated knowledge of humanities and philosophy (Neo-Confucianism). He was known to be studious and well-read. Among the King's entourage, one that had a great influence and became both a great teacher and father figure for him was Kim Jong-su. Jeongjo also had the support of the many Silhak scholars who favored regal power over the parties, including scholars Jeong Yak-yong, Pak Ji-won, Pak Je-ga and Yu Deuk-gong. His reign also saw the further growth and development of Joseon's popular culture.

Jeongjo favored members of the Soron and Namin party over those of the powerful Noron faction, as a way to establish checks and balances and strengthen royal authority.

He was opposed to new fashions in the composition style of Korean writing and personally taught composition to some intellectuals and bureaucrats called Munchebanjong (문체반정 文体反正 – literary criticism/reform).

In 1791, Jeongjo got a report from Chae Je-gong that the people were having difficulty surviving by selling the fruit of their labor. Jeongjo then established the new law of Shinhae Tonggong (free trade law), which allowed anyone to sell their goods at the market. This abolished the previous law of Gumnanjeonguoun (금난전권), which reserved this right exclusively to members of merchant groups in the capital.

Death

In his final years, Jeongjo arranged for the marriage of his second son and successor Sunjo of Joseon to Lady Kim of the Andong clan, daughter of Kim Jo-sun, but did not live to see his son's marriage. In 1800, Jeongjo died suddenly under uncertain circumstances at the age of 47, without seeing much of his life's work come to fruition under his son, Sunjo. There are many books regarding the mystery behind his death, and speculation as to the cause of his death continues even today.

He is buried with his wife, Queen Hyoui, at the royal tomb of Geonneung (건릉, 健陵) in the city of Hwaseong.

On 7 December 1899, Jeongjo posthumously became Jeongjo Sanghwangjae.

Family

• Biological father: Yi Seon, King Jangjo of Joseon (조선 장조 이선) (13 February 1735 – 12 July 1762)

　• Grandfather: King Yeongjo of Joseon (조선 영조) (31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776)

　• Biological grandmother: Royal Noble Consort Yeong of the Jeonui Yi clan (영빈 이씨) (15 August 1696 – 23 August 1764)

　• Adoptive grandmother: Queen Jeongseong of the Daegu Seo clan (정성왕후 서씨) (12 January 1693 – 3 April 1757)

• Adoptive father: Yi Haeng, King Jinjong of Joseon (조선 진종 이행) (4 April 1719 – 16 December 1728)

• Biological mother: Queen Heongyeong of the Pungsan Hong clan (헌경왕후 홍씨) (6 August 1735 – 13 January 1816)

　• Grandfather: Hong Bong-han (홍봉한) (1713 – 1778)

　• Grandmother: Lady Yi of the Hansan Yi clan (한산 이씨) (1713 – 1755)

• Adoptive mother: Queen Hyosun of the Pungyang Jo clan (효순왕후 조씨) (8 January 1716 – 30 December 1751)

Consorts and their respective issue(s):

• Queen Hyoui of the Cheongpung Kim clan (효의왕후 김씨) (5 January 1754 – 10 April 1821) – No issue.

• Royal Noble Consort Su of the Bannam Park clan (수빈 박씨) (1 June 1770 – 6 February 1823)

• #Crown Prince Yi Gong (왕세자 이공) (29 July 1790 – 13 December 1834), second son

• #Princess Sukseon (숙선옹주) (1 March 1793 – 7 June 1836), second daughter

• Royal Noble Consort Ui of the Changnyeong Seong clan (의빈 성씨) (6 August 1753 – 4 November 1786)

• #Miscarriage (8 December 1780)

• #Miscarriage (July 1781)

• #Yi Sun, Crown Prince Munhyo (문효세자 이순) (13 October 1782 – 6 June 1786), first son

• #First daughter (20 March – 12 May 1784)

• #Unborn child (4 November 1786)

• Royal Noble Consort Won of the Pungsan Hong clan (원빈 홍씨) (27 May 1766 – 7 May 1779) – No issue.

• Royal Noble Consort Hwa of the Namwon Yun clan (화빈 윤씨) (11 April 1765 – 14 January 1824) – No issue.

Ancestry

In popular culture

• Portrayed by Kim Yong-gun in the 1989 MBC TV series 500 Years of Joseon Dynasty: Pa Mun.

• Portrayed by Jung Jae-gon in the 2001 MBC TV series Hong Guk-yeong.

• Portrayed by Lee Seo-jin and Park Ji-bin in the 2007 MBC TV series Lee San, Wind of the Palace.

• Portrayed by Ahn Nae-sang in the 2007 KBS2 TV series Conspiracy in the Court.

• Portrayed by Kim Sang-joong and Park Gun-tae in the 2007 CGV TV series Eight Days, Assassination Attempts against King Jeongjo.

• Portrayed by Bae Soo-bin in the 2008 SBS TV series Painter of the Wind.

• Portrayed by Han Myeong-goo in the 2008 film Portrait of a Beauty.

• Portrayed by Jo Sung-ha in the 2010 KBS2 TV series Sungkyunkwan Scandal.

• Portrayed by Hong Jong-hyun in the 2011 SBS TV series Warrior Baek Dong-soo.

• Portrayed by Hyun Bin and Goo Seung-hyun in the 2014 film The Fatal Encounter.

• Portrayed by Lee Je-hoon, Kim Woo-suk, and Kim Dan-yool in the 2014 SBS TV series Secret Door.

• Portrayed by Go Woo-rim in the 2015 KBS2 Drama Special Crimson Moon.

• Portrayed by So Ji-sub and Lee Hyo-je in the 2015 film The Throne.

• Portrayed by Lee Jun-ho and Lee Joo-won in the 2021 MBC TV series The Red Sleeve.

早年

英祖二十八年九月二十二日，生于昌庆宫景春殿。英祖三十五年，获册封为王世孙。英祖三十八年五月十三日，其父庄献世子遭英祖饿死于米柜。英祖四十年二月二十日，英祖命李祘承孝章世子之嗣，次年命其代理听政。

即位

1776年（英祖五十二年）三月五日，英祖升遐于庆熙宫集庆堂。三月十日，即位于西内庆熙宫之崇政门。

后世认为正祖是极为仁孝的君王，因为朝鲜的礼法制度，他没有办法尊母亲惠庆宫洪氏为王大妃，但对其相当的孝顺，为其屡上尊号。正祖在十一岁那年目睹了父亲庄献世子的惨死，即位后除了追尊宗法父亲孝章世子为真宗外，对亲生父亲的追慕活动也无休无止，先是将垂恩墓升格为永佑园，祠堂垂恩庙升格为景慕宫，并为其屡次加上尊号。正祖十三年，决定将永佑园迁至风水吉地——京畿道水原郡华山脚下，仿照世祖的光陵加以扩建，并更名为显隆园。正祖十八年在水原八达山麓开工建设水原华城和水原行宫。正祖计划将华城修建为农、工、商兼备的城市，从南方拱卫汉城。

逝世

正祖二十四年（1800年）六月二十八日，正祖去世于昌庆宫迎春轩。在位二十四年，终年四十七岁。葬于杨州健陵。关于正祖之死，老论派散布的「毒杀」之说在岭南的南人党之间广泛流传，丁若镛的《与犹堂全书》对此也有相同记载。 在正祖去世前18天，即六月十日，他告诉众大臣，自己身上长出脓疮，并开始涂药去脓。之后病情逐渐恶化。六月十四日医官开了夹纸膏与杏仁膏，并制作加减逍遥散。但正祖将脓包自行诊断为心里的火气病，并饮用了两服白虎汤，之后全身开始出现滚热的症状。六月十六日正祖命令呈上四顺清凉饮、金莲茶与五颗牛黄，之后又服用了乳粉托里散和三仁田螺膏、贝母膏、香薷调中汤。六月二十五日服用了龙脑安神丸和牛黄清心丸，六月二十六日服用了琼玉膏、八物汤，吃了五钱人参。六月二十八日服用了三钱人参，之后在昌庆宫永春轩接见左承旨金祖淳时病情突然恶化，以致说不出话来。此时贞纯王后命人送去藿香正气散，正祖服用后不久就在子时（晚上11时）停止了呼吸。正祖死后，贞纯王后垂帘听政，解散了正祖创设的壮勇营，大举镇压天主教徒。

李祘的庙号原为正宗，諡号明道洪德显谟文成武烈圣仁庄孝大王（清朝赐諡恭宣王）。高宗建立大韩帝国后，于1899年（光武三年）追尊太祖及继统的四世先祖为皇帝，将其庙号改为正祖、諡号改为敬天明道洪德显谟文成武烈圣仁庄孝宣皇帝。

朝政

朝鲜正祖时期，天主教开始传入朝鲜，1777年（正祖元年）秋，权哲身、丁若铨等在京畿道走鱼寺讲学修习天主教义。1784年正祖八年初，朝鲜冬至使书状官李承薰在北京接受天主教的洗礼，成为朝鲜第一个天主教徒。在回国之后开始从事秘密传教工作，暗中携带大量天主教书籍及圣画、圣像，并为李檗、权日身洗礼，到1784年秋已有数十人受洗。北京教区1790年派澳门人吴约翰抵达中朝边境凤凰城，未得朝鲜教徒迎接而折返。1793年，权哲身派燕行使译官尹有一、池璜再次恳请派神父，北京教区派中国苏州人周文谟赴朝，他在中朝边境滞留10个月后，得尹有一、池璜等人的迎接化装成朝鲜人，于1795年初潜入朝鲜境内传教，后由于天主教的势力在朝鲜不断增大，加上礼仪之争的延烧，朝鲜政府不断进行打压，而1801年更有「辛酉邪狱」的发生。

1785年春发生乙巳秋曹摘发事件。大臣纷纷上疏称天主教为「邪教」政府进行打压。1786年，李承薰复建教会，封权日身为主教，崔昌显等人为神父，建立「假圣职制度」。1787发生丁未泮会事件。1791年发生辛亥邪狱又称辛亥珍山事件。1795年天主教徒崔仁吉、尹有一、池璜被捕，被打死于捕盗厅。

朝鲜崇尚儒学，朝鲜正祖笃信程朱理学，认定天主教为「邪教」。他反覆强调「正学明则邪说息」，「予意则使吾道大明，正学丕阐，则如此邪说可以自起自灭」，天主教是陆王心学、佛教道教一类，无需厉行禁止，只要儒生熟读儒家经典、不看杂书，便可迎刃而解。弘扬性理之学，加大管控中国进口书籍，严禁士人阅读明清文集稗官小说，焚毁相关书籍。不断有大臣上疏请求镇压天主教，正祖只在告发的情况下加以惩治，避免事态扩大化，左议政（后为领议政）南人蔡济恭说「佛道中派别」「禁之之道亦难矣」，「必当自起而自灭，恐不足过费圣意矣」。对南人天主教徒庇护。

评论

朝鲜正祖被认为是朝鲜后期有作为的君主，在他在位期间，朝鲜开始出现复兴。可惜在他去世后，贞纯王后临朝称制，将他的改革几乎废除殆尽，朝鲜开始走向衰退。

家庭

王妃

后宫

子

女

后代

朝鲜正祖的男系后代，随著他的曾孙朝鲜宪宗在1849年无嗣而薨就断绝了。而的后代，由于是正祖的「外裔」而受到王室关注。淑善翁主仅有一子洪佑喆，两个孙子洪承干、洪承亿。淑善翁主、驸马洪显周都是贞明公主夫妇的后代，使得洪承亿一度出继成为贞明公主的奉祀孙；但是洪承亿的哥哥洪承干在1845年夭折，没有留下后代。因此二十年后，神贞王后下旨取消洪承亿的养子身分，按兄终弟及原则回到本家。不过洪承亿也没有亲生子女，随著他在1882年过世，若不计从旁系过继的后嗣，正祖的所有直系后代至此完全断绝。

附注

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电视剧

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