Biography
Jeongjo, whose personal name was Yi San, was born in 1752 at Changgyeong Palace, the son of Crown Prince Sado and Lady Hyegyeong. In 1762 his grandfather King Yeongjo had Sado put to death by confinement in a rice chest, and two years later Yi San was formally adopted into the line of Sado's late elder half-brother so that his claim to the throne would not be tainted. Members of the powerful Noron faction still questioned his right to succeed and some worked to remove him.
He was named regent shortly before Yeongjo's death and became the 22nd king of Joseon in 1776. Early in his reign he openly declared himself Sado's son, defeated a palace plot to depose and kill him, and spent years restoring his father's reputation. He kept up his grandfather's policy of balancing the court factions, while favouring talented officials regardless of party and drawing on reform-minded Silhak scholars.
His reign is remembered as a cultural and political high point of the dynasty. He founded the Kyujanggak royal library, created the Jangyongyeong royal guard, sponsored the compilation of books and legal codes, opened some offices to men previously barred by birth, and in 1791 loosened the monopoly of the capital's licensed merchants. He spent much time at Suwon, near his father's grave, and had Hwaseong Fortress built to guard the tomb.
Jeongjo died suddenly in 1800 at the age of 47, in circumstances that are still debated. His young son Sunjo succeeded him, and the marriage Jeongjo had arranged for him with the Andong Kim clan helped open the era of in-law domination of the court. He was posthumously honoured as an emperor in 1899.
