Danjong of Joseon

Posthumous name
Joseon: King Sunjeong Anjang Gyeongsun Donhyo the Great 순정 안장 경순 돈효 대왕 純定安莊景順敦孝大王
Temple name
Danjong (단종; 端宗)

ClanJeonju Yi clanDynastyHouse of YiFatherMunjong of JoseonMotherQueen HyeondeokReligionKorean Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism)

Korean name
Hangul	단종
Hanja	端宗
Revised Romanization	Danjong
McCune–Reischauer	Tanjong
Birth name
Hangul	이홍위
Hanja	李弘暐
Revised Romanization	I Hongwi
McCune–Reischauer	Yi Hongwi

Monarchs of Korea
Joseon monarchs
Taejo 1392–1398 Jeongjong 1398–1400 Taejong 1400–1418 Sejong 1418–1450 Munjong 1450–1452 Danjong 1452–1455 Sejo 1455–1468 Yejong 1468–1469 Seongjong 1469–1494 Yeonsangun 1494–1506 Jungjong 1506–1544 Injong 1544–1545 Myeongjong 1545–1567 Seonjo 1567–1608 Gwanghaegun 1608–1623 Injo 1623–1649 Hyojong 1649–1659 Hyeonjong 1659–1674 Sukjong 1674–1720 Gyeongjong 1720–1724 Yeongjo 1724–1776 Jeongjo 1776–1800 Sunjo 1800–1834 Heonjong 1834–1849 Cheoljong 1849–1864 Gojong 1864–1897
v t e

Danjong (Korean: 단종; Hanja: 端宗; 18 August 1441 – 17 November 1457),^[1] personal name Yi Hong-wi (이홍위; 李弘暐), was the sixth monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was forced to abdicate by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (the future King Sejo), and was put to death after being exiled to Yeongwol.^[2]

Biography

The future Danjong was born during the reign of his grandfather, King Sejong. His mother, Crown Princess Consort Gwon (posthumously honored as Queen Hyeondeok), didn’t recover after giving birth and died the next day. He had one older sister, Princess Gyeonghye, and one older half-sister, Princess Gyeongsuk.

In 1452, Yi Hong-wi succeeded his father, King Munjong, at the age of 12.^[3] Since he was too young to rule, the governing of the country fell to Chief State Councillor Hwangbo In, and Left State Councillor General Kim Jong-seo, along with Princess Gyeonghye acting as his guardian.^[4]

In 1453, this government was overthrown in a coup d'état led by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (posthumously called King Sejo), who persuaded a number of scholars and officials who had served in the court of Sejong the Great to support his claim to the throne. Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo were captured and killed in front of the gate of Gyeongbok Palace.

In late January 1454, the 14 years-old king married the 15 years-old daughter of Song Hyeon-su, Lady Song the Yeosan Song clan (later known as Queen Jeongsun). In 1455, he was forced to abdicate and became the King Emeritus of Joseon while his wife became Queen Dowager Uideok.

The following year, six court officials attempted to restore him to power, but their plot was discovered and they were immediately executed.^[3] Yi Hong-wi was later demoted to Prince Nosan (Nosan Gun; 노산군, 魯山君) and exiled to Yeongwol. His wife was also kicked out of the palace after losing her status as queen dowager and being demoted to Princess Consort Nosan (Nosan Gunbuin; 노산군부인).

Initially, Sejo was hesitant to execute Danjong and showed mercy despite the attempted coup. However, he began perceiving that Danjong would present a continuing threat to his rule, Sejo accepted the advice of the court and ordered that his nephew be disposed of. In November 1457, he was put to death.^[3]

There was an attempt to honor the late king and queen during Jungjong’s reign, but he rejected the proposal. During the reign of King Sukjong scholars once again proposed the restoration of the titles. After 200 years, in 1698, the demoted Prince Nosan and his wife were finally restored, receiving the temple name "Danjong", and posthumous name “Queen Jeongsun”.

Family

• Father: King Munjong of Joseon (조선 문종; 15 November 1414 – 1 June 1452)
  • Grandfather: King Sejong of Joseon (조선 세종; 15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450)
  • Grandmother: Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan (소헌왕후 심씨; 12 October 1395 – 19 April 1446)
• Mother: Queen Hyeondeok of the Andong Gwon clan (현덕왕후 권씨; 17 April 1418 – 10 August 1441)
  • Grandfather: Gwon Jeon (권전; 1371 – 18 November 1441)
  • Grandmother: Lady Choe of the Haeju Choe clan (해주 최씨; ?–1456)

Consorts and their respective issue:

1. Queen Jeongsun of the Yeosan Song clan (정순왕후 송씨; 1440 – 7 July 1521)
2. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Sangsan Kim clan (숙의 김씨; 1440–1525)
3. Royal Consort Suk-ui of the Andong Gwon clan (숙의 권씨; 1440–1519)

Ancestry

In popular culture

• Portrayed by Lee Min-woo in the 1983 MBC TV series 500 Years of Joseon: Tree with Deep roots.
• Portrayed by Jung Tae-woo in the 1998–2000 KBS TV series King and Queen.
• Portrayed by Noh Tae-yeob in the 2011 KBS2 TV series The Princess' Man.
• Portrayed by Chae Sang-woo in the 2011 JTBC TV series Insu, The Queen Mother and the 2013 film The Face Reader
• Portrayed by Choi Dong-ah in the 2016 KBS1 TV series Jang Yeong-sil.

See also

• List of monarchs of Korea
• Politics of the Joseon dynasty

Notes

Danjong of Joseon House of Yi Born: 18 August 1441 Died: 17 November 1457
Regnal titles
Preceded by Munjong	King of Joseon 10 June 1452 – 4 July 1455	Succeeded by Sejo