# Jeongjo of Joseon

> 22nd King of Joseon (r. 1776–1800)

**Wikidata**: [Q26530](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26530)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeongjo_of_Joseon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jeongjo-of-joseon

## Summary
Jeongjo of Joseon, also known as Chŏngjo or Hongjae Yi, was the 22nd monarch of the Joseon dynasty, ruling from 1776 to 1800. He is recognized for his efforts in strengthening royal authority, promoting administrative reforms, and supporting cultural and intellectual development during his reign.

## Biography
- Born: Date and place not specified in provided material
- Nationality: Joseon (Korean)
- Education: Not detailed in the source material
- Known for: Reigning as the 22nd King of Joseon and implementing significant political and cultural reforms
- Employer(s): Monarch of Joseon
- Field(s): Governance, statecraft, cultural patronage

## Contributions
Jeongjo's contributions are primarily in the realm of governance and cultural patronage:
- Strengthened royal authority by reducing the power of aristocratic factions
- Initiated administrative reforms to improve government efficiency
- Promoted scholarly activities and supported the compilation of important texts
- Founded the Kyujanggak (Inner Royal Library) in 1776 to serve as a research institute and royal library
- Advocated for the rights of commoners and sought to reduce social discrimination
- Encouraged the compilation of the Genealogy of the Royal Lineage to legitimize his father’s posthumous elevation

## FAQs
**Who was Jeongjo of Joseon?**  
Jeongjo was the 22nd king of the Joseon dynasty, reigning from 1776 to 1800. He was known for his reformist policies and efforts to centralize power.

**What were Jeongjo of Joseon’s major accomplishments?**  
Jeongjo strengthened royal authority, reformed the administration, and promoted cultural and intellectual development. He also founded the Kyujanggak, a royal research institute.

**What is the Kyujanggak, and why is it significant?**  
The Kyujanggak was an institution established by Jeongjo in 1776 to serve as both a royal library and a research center. It played a key role in preserving and producing scholarly works and was central to his cultural reforms.

**What was Jeongjo’s real name?**  
Jeongjo's birth name was Yi Sun (이선), though he is known by several aliases including Hongjae Yi, Song Yi, and Mangi.

**What reforms did Jeongjo implement during his reign?**  
He reduced the influence of powerful aristocratic factions, reformed the tax system, promoted merit-based appointments, and supported the rights of commoners.

**What titles or aliases is Jeongjo known by?**  
Jeongjo is also referred to as Chŏngjo, Hongjae Yi, Song Yi, Mangi, King of Korea Chŏngjo, ho Hongje, Yi Hongjae, Chongjo roi de Corée, and Yi Chongjo.

## Why They Matter
Jeongjo's reign marked a pivotal period in Joseon history where royal authority was reasserted after decades of factional conflict. His reforms laid the groundwork for a more centralized and efficient government. The establishment of the Kyujanggak symbolized his commitment to intellectual growth and cultural preservation. His policies influenced later monarchs and contributed to the dynasty's administrative resilience. Without Jeongjo’s reforms, the Joseon dynasty may have experienced a faster decline due to internal factionalism and weakened royal authority.

## Notable For
- Reigning as the 22nd King of Joseon from 1776 to 1800
- Establishing the Kyujanggak in 1776
- Reducing the influence of the aristocratic Noron and Soron factions
- Advocating for administrative and social reforms
- Supporting scholarly and cultural activities
- Promoting the rights of commoners and reducing social discrimination
- Posthumously legitimizing his father through the compilation of the Genealogy of the Royal Lineage

## Body
### Early Life and Accession
Jeongjo ascended to the throne in 1776 following the death of his grandfather, King Yeongjo. His father, Crown Prince Sado, had been executed during Yeongjo's reign, a traumatic event that deeply influenced Jeongjo's later policies. He was determined to restore honor to his father's legacy and strengthen royal authority to prevent factional infighting from destabilizing the throne.

### Reign and Reforms
Jeongjo's reign is noted for its reformist character. He sought to reduce the power of entrenched political factions such as the Noron and Soron, which had dominated court politics for generations. His efforts included:
- Reforming the administrative system to improve governance and reduce corruption
- Promoting officials based on merit rather than lineage
- Supporting the rights of commoners and reducing class-based discrimination
- Encouraging agricultural development and economic reforms to stabilize the state

### Cultural and Intellectual Patronage
Jeongjo was a patron of learning and culture. In 1776, he founded the Kyujanggak, an institution that functioned as both a royal library and a research institute. The Kyujanggak became a center for scholarly activity, compiling important texts and preserving historical documents. This institution was central to his broader cultural agenda, which aimed to promote Confucian learning and intellectual discourse.

### Legacy and Influence
Jeongjo's reign is often viewed as a period of renewal for the Joseon dynasty. His efforts to centralize power and implement reforms helped stabilize the monarchy during a time of internal and external challenges. His legacy includes:
- The institutionalization of royal scholarship through Kyujanggak
- A more meritocratic approach to governance
- A cultural renaissance that influenced later intellectual movements in Korea

### Personal Identity and Posthumous Recognition
Jeongjo worked to legitimize his father's status by commissioning the Genealogy of the Royal Lineage, which formally recognized his father as a legitimate royal heir. This act not only restored his father's honor but also reinforced his own claim to the throne and strengthened the royal lineage.

### Death and Succession
Jeongjo died in 1800 and was succeeded by his son, who later became King Sunjo. His reign is remembered for its balance of political pragmatism and cultural innovation, making him one of the more notable reformist monarchs in Joseon history.

## References

1. Union List of Artist Names. 2014
2. China Biographical Database
3. Catalog of the German National Library
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. IdRef
9. FactGrid
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File