Injo of Joseon
Encyclopedia
Injo of Joseon was the sixteenth king of the Korea
n Joseon Dynasty
. He was the grandson of Seonjo
, son of Grandprince Jeongwon
(정원군). King Injo was king during both the first and second Manchu invasions, which ended with the surrender of Joseon to the Qing Dynasty
in 1636.
, whose father was the ruling monarch King Seonjo
. In 1607 Grandprince Jeongwon
's son was given the title son of Prince Neungyang (綾陽都正 ,능양도정) and later Prince Neungyang (綾陽君 ,능양군) and lived as just plain royal family member, unsupported by any political factions which was in control of Korean politics at the time.
In 1608, King Seonjo fell sick and died, and his son Gwanghaegun
succeeded him to the throne. At the time, the government was divided by various political factions; liberal Eastern faction came out strong after Seven Year War, which most of Eastern fought actively against Japanese. Then Eastern split during the last days of King Seonjo; Northern faction wanted radical reform, while Southern faction supported moderate reform. At the time of Seonjo's death, Northerners, who gained control of the government at the time, was divided into left-wing Greater Northerne and less radical Lesser Northerners. As Gwanghaegun inherited the throne, Greater Northern, who supported him as heir to the crown, became major political faction in the royal court. Meanwhile, conservative Western faction stayed as minor faction, far from gaining power. However many members of Westerners faction still looked for chance to return to the politics as ruling faction.
In 1623, ultra-conservative Westerners Kim Ja-jeom, Kim Ryu, Yi Gwi, Yi Gwal
launched a coup and dethroned Gwanghaegun, who was sent into exile in Jeju Island. Jeong In-hong and Yi Yicheom were killed, and all of a sudden the Westerners replaced the Greater Northerners as the ruling faction. The Westerners brought Injo to the palace and crowned him as the new king Injo; although Injo was king, he did not have any authority since almost all of the power was held by the Western faction that dethroned Gwanghaegun.
, who thought he was treated unfairly and received too small reward for his role in the coup, rebelled against Injo, since almost every other major leader of the coup was called to the court while he was sent to Northern front as military commander of Pyongyang
to fight against the expanding Manchus. Yi Gwal led 12,000 troops including 100 Japanese (who defected to Joseon during Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598)) to the capital, Hanseong
. At the Battle of Jeotan, Yi Gwal defeated a regular army under the command of General Jang Man, and surrounded Hanseong. Injo fled to Gongju
and Hanseong fell to the rebels.
On February 11th, 1624, Yi Gwal enthroned Prince Heungan (興安君, 흥안군) as the new king; however, General Jang Man soon came back with another regiment and defeated Yi Gwal's forces. Soon the Korean army recaptured the capital and Yi Gwal was murdered by his bodyguard, and the rebellion was ended. Even though Injo was able to keep his throne, the rebellion showed how the royal authority was weakened and proved the superiority of the aristocrats, who gained even more power by the fighting against the rebellion. Also, the economy, which was in a slight recovery from Gwanghaegun's reconstruction, was ruined again and Korea would remain poor for a few centuries.
, which was Joseon's traditional ally. However, after the fall of Gwanghaegun, conservative Westerners took hard-line policy toward the Manchus, keeping their alliance with Ming Dynasty. The Manchus, who remained mostly friendly to Joseon, began to regard Joseon as an enemy. Han Yun, who participated in the rebellion of Yi Gwal, fled to Manchuria and urged the Manchu leader Nurhaci
to attack Joseon; thus the friendly relationship between Manchu and Korea ended.
In 1627, 30,000 Manchu cavalry under General Amin (阿敏) and former Korean General Gang Hong-rip
invaded Joseon, calling for restoration of Gwanghaegun and execution of Westerners leaders including Kim Ja-jeom. General Jang Man again fought against the Manchus, but was unable to repel the invasion. Once again, Injo fled to Ganghwa Island
; meanwhile, the Manchus had no reason to attack Korea and decided to go back to prepare for war against China, and soon peace settled; Later Jin
and Joseon were declared as brother nations and the Manchus withdrew from Korea. The war is called First Manchu invasion of Korea
.
However, most Westerners kept their hard-line policy despite the war. Nurhaci, who had generally good opinion toward Korea, did not invade Korea again. However, when Nurhaci died and Hong Taiji
succeeded him as ruler of the Manchus, the Manchus again began to seek for chance for another war. When Ming General Mao Wenrong came to Korea fleeing from the Manchus along with his unit, Injo gave refuge to them and it caused the Manchus to invade Korea again.
In 1636, Hong Taiji officially called his nation The Qing Dynasty
, and invaded Joseon himself. The Manchus avoided battle with General Im Gyeong Eop
, who guarded Uiju
fortress; for he was a famous army commander. A 128,000 Manchurian army went straight to Hanseong before Injo could escape to Ganghwa Island, and they drove him to Namhansanseong
and cut all of his supply lines. Injo, who was running out of food supplies at last surrendered to Qing Dynasty, and agreed for the Treaty of Samjeondo, where Injo bowed to the Hong Taiji
nine times as his servant, and his first and second son was taken to China as captives. Joseon became the tributary state
to Qing, which went on to conquer Ming Dynasty in 1644. The war is called Second Manchu invasion of Korea
.
, brought many new products from the western world including Christianity
, and urged Injo for reform. However, the conservative Injo would not accept the opinion; and the crown prince was found dead in the king's room, bleeding severely from the head. Many people including his wife tried to find out what happened to the prince, but Injo ordered burial and later he accused Sohyeon's wife for treason and executed her. Prince Bongrim, who also returned from China, was appointed as new Crown Prince and later became King Hyojong
.
(KBS2, 2010).
Injo is portrayed as a tyrant who wipe out all his political opponents in Korean drama Iljimae
(SBS,2008).
also portrayed in "the return of iljimae" also a tyrant the storyline is different than iljimae but just as good.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. He was the grandson of Seonjo
Seonjo of Joseon
King Seonjo ruled in Korea between 1567 and 1608. He was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign, although political chaos and his incompetent leadership during the Japanese invasions of Korea...
, son of Grandprince Jeongwon
Grandprince Jeongwon
Prince Jeongwon or GreatPrince Jeongwon was Prince of Joseon Dynastys. illegitimate son of 14th King Seonjo. half brother of King Gwanghaegun of Joseon. father of Injo. his name was Lee Boo....
(정원군). King Injo was king during both the first and second Manchu invasions, which ended with the surrender of Joseon to the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
in 1636.
Birth and Background
King Injo was born in 1595 as a son of Grandprince JeongwonGrandprince Jeongwon
Prince Jeongwon or GreatPrince Jeongwon was Prince of Joseon Dynastys. illegitimate son of 14th King Seonjo. half brother of King Gwanghaegun of Joseon. father of Injo. his name was Lee Boo....
, whose father was the ruling monarch King Seonjo
Seonjo of Joseon
King Seonjo ruled in Korea between 1567 and 1608. He was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign, although political chaos and his incompetent leadership during the Japanese invasions of Korea...
. In 1607 Grandprince Jeongwon
Grandprince Jeongwon
Prince Jeongwon or GreatPrince Jeongwon was Prince of Joseon Dynastys. illegitimate son of 14th King Seonjo. half brother of King Gwanghaegun of Joseon. father of Injo. his name was Lee Boo....
's son was given the title son of Prince Neungyang (綾陽都正 ,능양도정) and later Prince Neungyang (綾陽君 ,능양군) and lived as just plain royal family member, unsupported by any political factions which was in control of Korean politics at the time.
In 1608, King Seonjo fell sick and died, and his son Gwanghaegun
Gwanghaegun of Joseon
Gwanghaegun or Prince Gwanghae was the fifteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty. His personal name was Yi Hon. Since he was deposed in a coup, later official historians did not give him a temple name like Taejo or Sejong...
succeeded him to the throne. At the time, the government was divided by various political factions; liberal Eastern faction came out strong after Seven Year War, which most of Eastern fought actively against Japanese. Then Eastern split during the last days of King Seonjo; Northern faction wanted radical reform, while Southern faction supported moderate reform. At the time of Seonjo's death, Northerners, who gained control of the government at the time, was divided into left-wing Greater Northerne and less radical Lesser Northerners. As Gwanghaegun inherited the throne, Greater Northern, who supported him as heir to the crown, became major political faction in the royal court. Meanwhile, conservative Western faction stayed as minor faction, far from gaining power. However many members of Westerners faction still looked for chance to return to the politics as ruling faction.
The Coup of 1623
Although King Gwanghaegun (光海君 ,광해군) was an outstanding administrator and great diplomat, he was largely unsupported by many politicians, scholars and aristocrats since he was not the first-born and because he was born from a concubine. Greater Northerners tried to stomp out those opinions, suppressing Lesser Northerners and killing Prince Imhae (臨海君 ,임해군), the oldest son of Seonjo, and Grand Prince Yeongchang (永昌大君 ,영창대군), the queen's son. It was not Gwanghaegun's plan to keep his throne; he actually tried to bring minor factions to government, which was blocked by Greater Northerners such as Jeong In-hong and Yi Icheom. The actions made Gwanghaegun even more unpopular among wealthy aristocrats and finally they began to plot against him.In 1623, ultra-conservative Westerners Kim Ja-jeom, Kim Ryu, Yi Gwi, Yi Gwal
Yi Gwal
Yi Gwal was a general during the Joseon Dynasty, Korea. His family belonged to the Gosung Yi clan.Perhaps he is best known for his rebellion against the government of King Injo in 1624, but prior to that date, he was a very able and brilliant commander.-Background:In 1622, he joined the Injo...
launched a coup and dethroned Gwanghaegun, who was sent into exile in Jeju Island. Jeong In-hong and Yi Yicheom were killed, and all of a sudden the Westerners replaced the Greater Northerners as the ruling faction. The Westerners brought Injo to the palace and crowned him as the new king Injo; although Injo was king, he did not have any authority since almost all of the power was held by the Western faction that dethroned Gwanghaegun.
Yi Gwal Rebellion
In 1624, Yi GwalYi Gwal
Yi Gwal was a general during the Joseon Dynasty, Korea. His family belonged to the Gosung Yi clan.Perhaps he is best known for his rebellion against the government of King Injo in 1624, but prior to that date, he was a very able and brilliant commander.-Background:In 1622, he joined the Injo...
, who thought he was treated unfairly and received too small reward for his role in the coup, rebelled against Injo, since almost every other major leader of the coup was called to the court while he was sent to Northern front as military commander of Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
to fight against the expanding Manchus. Yi Gwal led 12,000 troops including 100 Japanese (who defected to Joseon during Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598)) to the capital, Hanseong
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. At the Battle of Jeotan, Yi Gwal defeated a regular army under the command of General Jang Man, and surrounded Hanseong. Injo fled to Gongju
Gongju
Gongju , also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It is located at .- History :Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo...
and Hanseong fell to the rebels.
On February 11th, 1624, Yi Gwal enthroned Prince Heungan (興安君, 흥안군) as the new king; however, General Jang Man soon came back with another regiment and defeated Yi Gwal's forces. Soon the Korean army recaptured the capital and Yi Gwal was murdered by his bodyguard, and the rebellion was ended. Even though Injo was able to keep his throne, the rebellion showed how the royal authority was weakened and proved the superiority of the aristocrats, who gained even more power by the fighting against the rebellion. Also, the economy, which was in a slight recovery from Gwanghaegun's reconstruction, was ruined again and Korea would remain poor for a few centuries.
War with Manchus
Gwanghaegun, who was the wise diplomat, kept his neutral policy between growing Manchus and Chinese Ming DynastyMing Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, which was Joseon's traditional ally. However, after the fall of Gwanghaegun, conservative Westerners took hard-line policy toward the Manchus, keeping their alliance with Ming Dynasty. The Manchus, who remained mostly friendly to Joseon, began to regard Joseon as an enemy. Han Yun, who participated in the rebellion of Yi Gwal, fled to Manchuria and urged the Manchu leader Nurhaci
Nurhaci
Nurhaci was an important Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late sixteenth century in what is today Northeastern China...
to attack Joseon; thus the friendly relationship between Manchu and Korea ended.
In 1627, 30,000 Manchu cavalry under General Amin (阿敏) and former Korean General Gang Hong-rip
Gang Hong-rip
Gang Hong-rip was a Korean general during the Joseon Dynasty.Under repeated requests from Ming China, Gwanghaegun commanded Gang Hong-rip to help Ming forces with ten thousand soldiers against the Manchus in 1619. However, Ming armies were crushed in the Battle of Sarhū. The Korean army under...
invaded Joseon, calling for restoration of Gwanghaegun and execution of Westerners leaders including Kim Ja-jeom. General Jang Man again fought against the Manchus, but was unable to repel the invasion. Once again, Injo fled to Ganghwa Island
Ganghwa Island
Ganghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. Ganghwa Island is separated from Gimpo, on the mainland, by a narrow channel, which is spanned by two bridges. The main channel of the Han River separates the island from Gaeseong in North Korea.About...
; meanwhile, the Manchus had no reason to attack Korea and decided to go back to prepare for war against China, and soon peace settled; Later Jin
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
and Joseon were declared as brother nations and the Manchus withdrew from Korea. The war is called First Manchu invasion of Korea
First Manchu invasion of Korea
The First Manchu invasion of Korea occurred in 1627, when Hong Taiji led the Manchu army against Korea's Joseon dynasty. It was followed by the Second Manchu invasion of Korea.-Background:...
.
However, most Westerners kept their hard-line policy despite the war. Nurhaci, who had generally good opinion toward Korea, did not invade Korea again. However, when Nurhaci died and Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji , also transliterated as Huang Taiji based on the Chinese language transcription of his name, was the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.Hong Taiji was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty after acceding to the title in 1636...
succeeded him as ruler of the Manchus, the Manchus again began to seek for chance for another war. When Ming General Mao Wenrong came to Korea fleeing from the Manchus along with his unit, Injo gave refuge to them and it caused the Manchus to invade Korea again.
In 1636, Hong Taiji officially called his nation The Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, and invaded Joseon himself. The Manchus avoided battle with General Im Gyeong Eop
Im Gyeong Eop
Im Gyeong Eop was a prominent Korean general during the Joseon Dynasty. He participated in Korea's war against the Manchurian invasions of the 16th century.-Early life:...
, who guarded Uiju
Uiju
Ŭiju is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. The county has an area of 420 km², and a population of 110,018 .-Location:...
fortress; for he was a famous army commander. A 128,000 Manchurian army went straight to Hanseong before Injo could escape to Ganghwa Island, and they drove him to Namhansanseong
Namhansanseong
Namhansanseong is a park at an elevation of 480m above sea level, immediately to the southeast of Seoul. It is located on Namhansan . It contains fortifications that date to the 17th century, and a number of temples.- Early history :Tradition connects the site of Namhansanseong with Onjo, founder...
and cut all of his supply lines. Injo, who was running out of food supplies at last surrendered to Qing Dynasty, and agreed for the Treaty of Samjeondo, where Injo bowed to the Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji , also transliterated as Huang Taiji based on the Chinese language transcription of his name, was the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.Hong Taiji was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty after acceding to the title in 1636...
nine times as his servant, and his first and second son was taken to China as captives. Joseon became the tributary state
Tributary state
The term tributary state refers to one of the two main ways in which a pre-modern state might be subordinate to a more powerful neighbour. The heart of the relationship was that the tributary would send a regular token of submission to the superior power...
to Qing, which went on to conquer Ming Dynasty in 1644. The war is called Second Manchu invasion of Korea
Second Manchu invasion of Korea
The second Manchu invasion of Korea occurred in 1636, when the Manchu Qing Empire brought Korea's Joseon dynasty into submission. It followed the first Manchu invasion of Korea of 1627.-Background:...
.
Death of the crown prince
In 1644, after Qing conquered entire China, the two princes returned to Korea. Injo's first son, Crown Prince SohyeonCrown Prince Sohyeon
Crown Prince Sohyeon was the first son of King Injo of Joseon Dynasty.Sohyeon was detained in Shenyang, by treaty of peace after War in 1636. He moved to Beijing in 1644, and communicated with Johann Adam Schall von Bell...
, brought many new products from the western world including Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, and urged Injo for reform. However, the conservative Injo would not accept the opinion; and the crown prince was found dead in the king's room, bleeding severely from the head. Many people including his wife tried to find out what happened to the prince, but Injo ordered burial and later he accused Sohyeon's wife for treason and executed her. Prince Bongrim, who also returned from China, was appointed as new Crown Prince and later became King Hyojong
Hyojong of Joseon
King Hyojong was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for expedition to Manchu Qing dynasty and his campaigns against the Russian Empire by the request of Qing Dynasty...
.
Legacy
Today, Injo is mostly regarded as a weak, indecisive and unstable ruler; for he caused the Yi Gwal Rebellion, two wars with the Manchus, and a devastation of the economy. He is often compared to his predecessor, Gwanghaegun, who accomplished many things and was dethroned, while Injo had almost no achievements during his reign and was still given a temple name. Many people regard him as the model for politicians not to follow, and he is also blamed for not taking care of his kingdom. However, he reformed the military and expanded the defense of the nation to prepare for war, since the nation had several military conflicts from 1592 to 1636. He died in 1649.Family
- Father: King Wonjong
- Mother: Queen Inheon of the Neungsung Gu clan (인헌왕후 구씨)
- Consorts:
- Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan (인렬왕후 한씨)
- Queen Jangryeol of the Yangju Jo clan (장렬왕후 조씨)
- Deposed Jo Gwi-in (폐귀인 조씨)
- Jang Gwi-in (귀인 장씨)
- Issue:
- Prince Successor Sohyeon (소현세자Crown Prince SohyeonCrown Prince Sohyeon was the first son of King Injo of Joseon Dynasty.Sohyeon was detained in Shenyang, by treaty of peace after War in 1636. He moved to Beijing in 1644, and communicated with Johann Adam Schall von Bell...
, 1612-1645) - 1st Son of Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan. - Grand Prince Bongrim (봉림대군Hyojong of JoseonKing Hyojong was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for expedition to Manchu Qing dynasty and his campaigns against the Russian Empire by the request of Qing Dynasty...
, 1619-1659) - 2nd Son of Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan. - Grand Prince Inpyeong (인평대군, 1622-1658) - 3rd Son of Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan.
- Grand Prince Yongseong (용성대군) - 4th Son of Queen Inryeol of the Cheongju Han clan.
- Prince Sungseon (숭선군) - 1st Son of Deposed Jo Gwi-in.
- Prince Nakseon (낙선군) - 2nd Son of Deposed Jo Gwi-in.
- Princess Hyomyeong (효명옹주) - Only Daughter of Deposed Jo Gwi-in.
His full posthumous name
- King Injo Gaecheon Joun Jeonggi Seondeok Heonmun Yeolmu Myeongsuk Sunhyo the Great of Korea
- 인조개천조운정기선덕헌문열무명숙순효대왕
- 仁祖開天肇運正紀宣德憲文烈武明肅純孝大王
Modern depictions
Injo is portrayed in the Korean drama ChunoChuno (TV series)
Chuno is a South Korea action historical drama, starring Jang Hyuk, Oh Ji Ho and Lee Da Hae. It was produced by the Korean Broadcasting System and aired on January 6, 2010....
(KBS2, 2010).
Injo is portrayed as a tyrant who wipe out all his political opponents in Korean drama Iljimae
Iljimae
Iljimae is a Korean drama broadcast from May to July 2008 on SBS. It is loosely based on a comic by Ko Woo Yung that was based on a Chinese folktale from the Ming dynasty. It was produced by Lee Yong Suk. The plot is different from the original comic because the production company could not get...
(SBS,2008).
also portrayed in "the return of iljimae" also a tyrant the storyline is different than iljimae but just as good.