Jeongjo of Joseon

Who is this?

Jeongjo (Korean: 정조; Hanja: 正祖; 28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800), personal name Yi San (이산; 李祘), sometimes called Jeongjo the Great (정조대왕; 正祖大王), was the 22nd monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Crown Prince Sado and Lady Hyegyŏng, and succeeded his grandfather, King Yeongjo, in 1776. His father, Crown Prince Sado, was executed in 1762, leading to conflicts over Yi San's legitimacy as heir. As king, he sought to clear his father's name, balance political factions, and strengthen royal authority. He built the Hwaseong Fortress, reformed governance, and promoted talented scholars. Facing assassination attempts, he created the Changyongyeong royal guards. Jeongjo established the Kyujanggak royal library, expanded social mobility, and encouraged Neo-Confucian scholarship. His reign marked a cultural and political renaissance, but factional struggles persisted. He is also remembered for his various efforts to reform and improve the nation. The era of Jeongjo's rule is considered one of the highest points of the Joseon era and today he is generally considered to be among the greatest leaders in Korean history.

Career

1. 1752
   Born
2. 1800
   Passed away

Trivia

• •Place of birth: Changgyeonggung
• •Citizenship: Joseon
• •Known as: king
• •Spouse: Hyoui