Munjong of Joseon

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Munjong of Joseon bigraphy, stories - Monarchs

Munjong of Joseon : biography

October 3, 1414 – May 14, 1452

This article is about the 5th Korean ruler during the Joseon Dynasty (r. 1450-1452), King Munjong of Joseon. For the 11th Korean ruler during the Goryeo Dynasty (r. 1046-1083), see Munjong of Goryeo.

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King Munjong (1414–1452) was the fifth King of the Joseon Dynasty, who ruled Korea from 1450 to 1452. He was the eldest son of King Sejong and succeeded him in 1450, but died of disease two years later. He was succeeded by his son, Danjong of Joseon.

Most of Munjong’s achievements were performed during his princely life. Although credited is primarily given to Jang Yeong-sil for inventing the water gauge, the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty state that it was the Crown Prince who found measures of water levels in the ground. Also, it was Munjong who took care of state affairs late during King Sejong’s reign, as Sejong developed various illnesses and disorders.

Munjong was the longest holder of the position of Crown Prince during the Joseon Dynasty, holding the position from 1421 to 1450, a record 29 years. From 1442 until his own ascension to the throne in 1450, he served as regent to King Sejong.

Family

  • Father: King Sejong (세종)
  • Mother: Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan (소헌왕후 심씨, September 28, 1395 – March 24, 1446)
  • Consorts and their Respective Issue:
  1. Royal Noble Consort HwiGiven as a temple name upon her death in 1429 of the Andong Kim clan (휘빈 김씨, 1410–1429)Daughter of Kim Oh-mun (김오문), Lord Anjeong (안정공), Magistrate Pandon-ryeong (판돈령부사); and Lady Lee (이씨 부인). Granddaughter of Kim Gu-deok (김구덕). Niece of Royal Noble Consort Myeong (명빈 김씨), thru her relationship as Kim Oh-mun’s elder sisterFirst Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor, married in 1427. Formally separated in August 18, 1429, then later committed suicide – No issue.
  2. Royal Noble Consort Sun of the Ha-eum Bong clan (순빈 봉씨, 1414–1436)Daughter of Bong Yeo (봉여), who killed her himselfSecond Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor, married in October 15, 1429. Formally separated in October 26, 1436 (instigated by Sejong himself), due to a series of scandals, involving her lie of her pregnancy, and her being caught in a lesbian act (sleeping with one of her palace maids) by Sejong himself, in 1435 – No issue.
  3. Queen HyeondeokOne of Munjong’s former concubines; Seung-hwi rank. Became Lady Hyeondeok, the Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor (현덕빈) upon her marriageWas demoted in June 26, 1457, as Lady Hyeondeok, following her son’s deposition and demotion as Deposed Prince Nosan (노산군) in June 21, 1457. Was posthumously restored back in March 12, 1513, and finally in July 15, 1699 of the Andong Kwon clan (현덕왕후 권씨, 1418–1441)Daughter of Kwon Jeon (권전), Internal Prince Hwasan (화산부원군); and Lady Haeju, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Choi clan (해주부부인 최씨)
    1. Yi Hong-wi, the Royal Prince Successor (이홍위 왕세자), Only SonFirstly ranked as "Royal Prince Successor Descendant" (왕세손), when Munjong was still "Royal Prince Successor" (왕세자) during Sejong’s reign. Became the Royal Crown Prince when his father became King
    2. An unnamed Daughter (Died in childhood)Eldest offspring
    3. Princess Gyeonghye (경혜공주, 1436 – December 30, 1473), 2nd daughterLater married Jeong Jong (정종, ?–1461 년), son of Jeong Chung-gyeong (정충경); created Military Officer Yeongyang (영양위)
  4. Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Namyang Hong clan (숙빈 홍씨)
    1. An unnamed daughter
  5. Yang Sa-chik (사칙 양씨)
    1. Princess Gyeongsook (경숙옹주, 1439–?)Later married (April 16, 1454) Kang Ja-sun (강자순), created Military Officer Banseong (반성위); which she later killed upon learning of his affair with Lee Gil-sang (이길상)’s daughter.
    2. An unnamed daughter
  6. Moon Suk-ui of the Nampyeong Moon clan (숙의 문씨, 1426 – September 26, 1508) – No issue.Daughter of Moon Min-ji (문민지)Married in 1442
  7. Kwon So-yong (소용 권씨) – No issue.
  8. Jeong So-yeong (소용 정씨)
    1. An Unnamed Son
  9. Yoon So-hoon (소훈 윤씨) – No issue.
  10. Yoo Seung-hwi (승휘 유씨) – No issue.
  11. Court Lady Jang (상궁 장씨)
    1. An unnamed Son

His full posthumous name

  • King Munjong Gongsun Heummyung Insuk Gwangmun Seonghyo the Great of Korea
  • 문종공순흠명인숙광문성효대왕
  • 文宗恭順欽明仁肅光文聖孝大王