Danjong of Joseon


Danjong of Joseon was the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He was forced to abdicate by his uncle, who became Sejo of Joseon, and exiled to Yeongwol County, where he was later put to death and his remains are buried.

Biography

The day after his birth, his mother, Queen Hyeondeok, died in childbirth.
King Danjong succeeded his father, Munjong of Joseon, at the age of 12. Since he was too young to rule, the government of the kingdom fell to the premier, Hwangbo In, and his vice-premier, General Kim Jong-seo, with his sister, Princess Gyeonghye acting as his guardian.
In 1453, this government was overthrown in a coup led by the king's uncle, Sejo of Joseon, 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 seized and murdered in front of the gate of Gyeongbokgung; in 1455 Danjong was forced to abdicate and exiled to Yeongwol County.
The following year, six officials of the court attempted to restore him to power, but their plot was discovered and they were immediately executed. Perceiving that he would present a continuing threat to his rule, Sejo then accepted the advice of the court and ordered that Danjong be disposed of. In 1457, he was put to death at his place of exile.
Danjong had been stripped of his title at the time he was exiled, and was afterwards referred to as "Prince Nosan". In the reign of King Sukjong, scholars at his court proposed that his title be restored, and in 1698, the demoted Prince Nosan was posthumously restored, receiving the posthumous name of "Danjong", and thereafter was referred to as King Danjong.

Family

  1. Queen Jeongsun of the Yeosan Song clan
  2. Consort Suk-Ui of the Sangsan Kim clan
  3. Consort Suk-Ui of the Andong Kwon clan

    His full posthumous name