Joseon (1392-1910) - 27 kings

Yi Seonggye, who was an eminent Goryeo officer, used his troops and overthrew Goryeo. He moved the capital to Seoul. Buddhism was replaced by Confucianism as the state religion and the major guideline. In the 15th century, King Sejong promulgated a phonetic alphabet, Hangeul, which consist of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. He also initiated impressive developments in scientific, philosophical, musical and technological fields. Political instability in the 16 century called a Japanese invasion. A seven-year war left the country with devastating damages. Almost all palaces, gates, and temples and houses were burned down. During this wartime, Admiral Yi Soonshin invented the world's first ironclad warship called Turtle ship. No sooner had the Japanese retreated than Manchu armies invaded Korea twice in 1627 and in 1636. After king Injo's insulting surrender near Seoul, Korea retreated into a stringent policy of isolationism and became known as the Hermit Kingdom. It was only in the late 18th century when western influence began slowly through China. However, influence of western religion began to seriously affect Korea in the late 18th century. With a series of persecutions several thousands of Korean people were executed including 12 western priests only in 1866 alone. French navy made a military expedition to Korean to retaliate the persecution in 1866. In the same year, American merchant ship named General Sherman sailed to Pyeongyang for trading with Korea but was burned with the loss of the entire crew. In 1871, American s conquered Gangwhado. In 1876 Korea reluctantly agreed to open her ports to Japan and in 1882 a treaty of friendship and commerce was signed between Korea and the United States. King Gojong founded Daehan Empire and became an emperor himself. But after his death in 1910, Japan annexed Korea, which put an end to the Joseon or Joseon Dynasty.

1) Taejo (1392-1398)
Dethroned the Gongyang-wang and founded Joseon Dynasty in 1392. Move capital to Seoul in 1394. Accepted Confucianism and made its teaching a fundamental principal of his ruling guideline of the dynasty. He stepped down from the throne in 1398, when the power struggle among the princes was in peak. He abdicated in favor of his second son Pangkwa, and lived monastic life.

2) Jeongjong (1398-1400)
Second son of Taejo. Appointed as a crown price after the struggle for the power. Abolished private troops kept by the princes and high ranking officials and joined them in the court army. Reform the court organization and opened schools in Seoul. Following the advice given by his astrologers, he abandoned Seoul and took the court to Kaesong, for Seoul reminds him of the bloodshed struggle. But he too faced an internecine feud among his brothers. After ruling out the second prince rebellion in 1400, he abdicated in favor of his brother Bangwon.

3) Taejong (1400-1418)
Fifth son of Taejo. He killed a Goryeo official Jeong Mongju in 1392 and established the foundation of the new kingdom. He rebelled when his father named his brother Bangsuk the crown prince in 1398, and killed his brothers, Bang Suk , and Bang Beon and including their supporters. The second prince rebellion led by his elder brother Bang Ghan aimed at eliminating Pangwon. But, Bang Ghan went into exile and his collaborator was executed. Bang Won took over the throne after the second prince rebellion. He improved court organization and encouraged Confucianism by closing numerous temples around the country. He also confiscated the land and slaves from the temples. Movable metal types were created. Shinmungo, a direct petition to the king by beating the huge drum hung by the palace, was introduced. He moved the capital from Gaesong to Seoul in1404.

4) Sejong (1418-1450)
Sejong was born in 1397. He was the third son of Taejong. Ascend the throne at twenty one. He opened royal academy institute. Many scholars and advisories were adopted for education, publications and political advice. Promulgated Korean alphabet, Hangeul in 1443 and proclaimed in 1446. Movable types were created. Buddhism spread under his favor. Court music was developed by Park Yon. Four libraries were built around the country including Chonchu-jon in Gyeongbok Palace. Invented rain gauge, hourglass and astrolabe. He compiled a book on astronomy and calendar. He also introduced taxation by the land fertility grade, which later changed to taxation by land product. He banned private death sentence. Stopped girl tribute to Ming Dynasty of China, and clothes replaced gold and silver. He strengthened the national security and expanded the territory. Conquered Tsushima island, the home of pirates, in 1326. He signed a trade treaty with Japan in 1327 to open 3 ports. In 1343 trade ships were limited to 50 a year from Tsushima to control the growing number of Japanese traders into Joseon.

5) Munjong (1450-1452)
Eldest son of Sejong. Installed the crown prince in 1421. In his 20 years as the crown prince, he assisted his father by taking men of talent into the government and opened the ears for the nationals. Compiled 139 volumes of books on history of Goryeo and improved draft system.

6) Danjong (1452-1455)
Son of Munjong. Succeed ed to the throne at twelve with his uncle Suyang acting as regent. Munjong asked his subjects to care his son after his death as he was young and weak. The regent usurped the throne in 1455 and several loyalists attempted to restore the rightful king to the throne. The attempt was failed and many were executed in 1456. The boy-king, kept under house-arrest, was eventually exiled to Yongwol in Gangwon Province, and murdered there on 24th of December in 1457 by his uncle's order. The usurpation became the source of a major dynastic crisis and the six men who died in the restoration attempt were still remembered for their bravery and loyalty.

7) Sejo (1455-1468)
Second son of Sejong. After murdering his nephew, he took over the throne. Reform the government by curtailing the power of the ministers, canceling local autonomous administrative offices and restructuring a military management system. Establish Five Military Commands by either abolishing or incorporating into the national army. Ended land dispute in 1466 by giving it only to the officials staying on the job. Encourage the farming by publishing the books on agriculture. He compiled several books on history, laws, military and Buddhism.

8) Yejong (1468-1469)
Second son of Sejo. Ascend the throne at nineteen, but died in thirteen months.

9) Seongjong (1469-1494)
Grandson of Sejo. Ascend the throne at thirteen. His grandmother regent ruled seven years. Completed the law and proclaimed in 1474. Confucianism spread, but Buddhism was neglected. Publish books on history from Silla to Goryeo, collection of poetical works from Silla to Joseon, ceremony and rituals, geography and music. He encouraged the learning and took talented officials and scholars into the government position.

10) Yeonsangun (1494-1506)
First son of Seongjong. Chronicle of Seongjong completed in 1498. The factionalism between Hungu and Sarim parties was at its beginning when Hungu made a plot of revenge by pointing out the word criticizing Sejo's usurpation in the chronicle. Yeonsangun became outrageous at this word, and opened the historian Kim Jongjik's tomb and beheaded the corpse for his posthumous punishment. Many Sarim loyal officials were killed, fired or exiled in 1498. Later in 1504, he killed his father's two concubines himself as their plot ousted his own mother from the palace and finally be killed when he was five. He beat his grandmother to death at her sick bed for her approval of his mother's misfortune. Many were killed and exiled. Five got posthumous punishment. Remonstrances, written in Korean words, were posted on the walls around the country. He, then, soon banned Hangeul classes and its study, and burned all the Hangeul textbooks and publications in Hangeul. He cancelled advisory office to block off the communication from the people. Schools were used for his lavish party and Confucian students were all sent out. The Girls and horses were foraged through the organized offices around the country. His tyranny and despotic rule ended in 1506, when court officials like Park Wonjong and Sung Heean dethroned him. He lived in exile at Gyodong near Gangwhado Island. He died here in the same year. From his rule, factionalism began taking a root.

11) Jungjong (1506-1544)
Second son of Seongjong. During his ruling, it was politically unstable and plots and killings continued. Japanese pirated southern coastal regions in 1510, 1522 and 1525. Many books on ethics, moral, Confucian teaching, and maps of Korea and world were published. Developed the movable type and compiled the chronicles. But, after 1519 political turmoil, he was unable to rule over the court officials. Disturbances took place in 1521, 1524, 1525, 1527 and 1531. In 1530 six garrison forts and four military outposts were built along the northern border.

12) Injong (1544-1545)
First son of Jungjong.

13) Myeongjong (1545-1567)
Second son of Jungjong. Ascend the throne at twelve with his mother regent. But, her brother Yoon Wonhyeong, often referred as small Yoon, took a power from his sister, big Yoon, in 1545. Followed a series of incidents such as dishonoring big Yoon and young king graffiti on the town wall in 1547, historian Ahn Myeongse's detailed description of the small Yoon's power usurpation from his sister in the chronicle in 1548, and thus one hundred people involved were beheaded in four years. The country was in the turmoil. Famous Yim Kokjong, a leader of chivalrous picaroons, appeared and expanded his power in the north with a support of the people. And Japanese marauders pillaged in the southern coast. With the death of regent in 1565, Gi Daehang, a civil official, ousted small Yoon and his aides including priests. He confiscated the illegally owned lands from the officials and returned to their owners. Published the law books and Chronicles.

14) Seonjo (1567-1608)
Seventh son of Jungjong. Confucianism flourished with Yi Hwang and Yi Yulgog . But, factions rivaled in the court from 1675. China invaded the north twice in 1683 and 1687 and followed by Japanese invasion led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1592 overran the country. Admiral Yi invented the world's first iron clad warship.

15) Gwanghae-gun (1608-1623)
Second son of Seonjo. He tried, but failed to rule out the age-long feud between the factions. Plots and killing repeated. The king was finally dethroned and exiled to Ganghwado and later to Jeju where he died in 1641.

16) Injo (1623-1649)
Grandson of Seonjo. Ascend the throne by coup d'etat. King took a refuge at Gongju when Lee Kwal, an eminent military leader who successfully carried out the coup d'etat for his throne, rebelled in 1624. Injo's pro-Ming foreign policy called Manchu invasion in 1627. The Dutch named by Weltevree naturalized in 1628 and brought western culture into Korea . The second invasion launched in 1636 with 100,000 troops as Injo still takes pro-Ming attitude. King surrendered to China in Seoul and his two sons were taken as hostages, who later both returned in eight years of seizure with western culture. Northern towns bordering with China began to open for trading.

17) Hyojong (1649-1659)
Second son of Injo. Stayed in China for eight years with his brother. Hendrik Hamel from the Netherlands was wrecked offshore of Jeju Island with his 36crews in 1653. Hammel and his people were sent to Seoul next year, while rest of them fled to Nakasaki on a ship nearby. After his fourteen year seizure in the military service, he fled with his seven other fellows. He wrote his discoveries and experiences in Korea in his book, Relation du Naufrage d'un Vaisseau Hollandois. Joined Qing-Russia war in 1654 on Qing' s strong demand. Minted the coins. Published books on agriculture, calendar, women education, human relation, law and history

18) Hyeonjong (1659-1674)
Son of Hyojong. Born in Shenyang, China, when his father was in a seizure. Movable type created. Banned marriage of inter-same family name. Power struggle continued.

19) Sukjong (1674-1720)
Son of Hyeonjong. Ascend d the throne at fourteen. Power struggle between the parties of Seoin and Namin reached its peak and 80 people were killed or exiled. The court lady, Jang by winning the king's favor became the righteous wife in support of Namin, while the first wife of Seoin's support, was sent out. Jang gave birth to a son who later became the King Gyeongjong. The first wife, Inhyon, took her place with a help of Seoin in 1694. Jang was forced to drink a poison in 1701 with his brother for her mean conduct of harming the first wife in her private shrine. The king constructed two fortresses in Gaesong and YongGang . Set the border line with China by erecting the stele on the Mt. Baekdoosan. But, he had the worst time in the whole dynasty.

20) Gyeongjong (1720-1724)
Son of Sukjong. The political parties of Noron and Soron rivaled. He was supported by Soron, while his stepbrother by Noron. Sukjong expressed his wish to Noron official to have his second son on the throne succeeding Gyeongjong . Encountered with a strong challenge from Soron, but the king's idea was accepted by installing his son a crown prince in 1721. The parties fought for the matter of lineal descent of royalty, and Soron overpowered Noron by killing sixty people including four high ranking officials. One hundred seventy people were exiled in 1622.

21) Yeongjo (1724-1776)
Second son of Sukjong. He had two sons, one of whom was killed by him. His main aim was at stabilizing the shaking court laws. He began banishing Soron hardliners, who caused trouble in 1622, right after he ascended the throne. In 1627, he dismissed some of the Noron hardline officials. He continued his moderate policy by keeping the power balance. But, Soron hardliner Yi Incha rebelled with a help of Namin to overthrow the king in 1728. His troops marched to Seoul after conquering Choengju , but were deadly defeated in Anseong and Juksan. Soron, after this incident, lost their political ground in the court. He lived frugal. Banned drinks and luxury. He wrote a numerous educational books for the children. Reform social systems and banned or cancelled private punishment including posthumous punishment, branding the criminals with iron, pressing the knees with a heavy stone and tattooing the criminal on face. He encouraged farming by importing sweet potatoes from Japan and published a farming guide books. Reform tax and service law which had been a burdensome yet unfair for the people. He also cancelled caste system. He dredged the overflowing Chonggyechon River meandering Seou. Yeongjo had nearly four thousand Confucian classes and court meetings with his scholars and officials in his 52 years of reign. In 1755, an exiled official Yunji's bill criticizing the court and Noron finally caused the king to kill his own son in the rice box in 1762.

22) Jeongjo (1776-1800)
Grandson of Yongo and son of Jangheon, the first son of Yeongjo. He restored the royal dignity of the deceased father and his mother. He killed two officials and punished seventy others and published a book manifesting the crimes they committed. Open a library housing the calligraphy works, verses, chronicles of the royal family, paintings of the ancestral kings and privy seal. He continued the policy of political stabilization by employing right people and had more contacts with common people for public discontent. His policy was not much different from those of his father. Construct Suwon Hwaseong Castle after he moved his father's grave to Suwon. Publish numerous books including compendium of laws, history, geography, literature, music, ritual, Buddhism, manners and etiquette, ancestral king's remarkable achievements including his generals' deeds and exploits, military training manual and encyclopedia covering culture and life style. Expand the opportunity for local folks for government post by holding examinations in the local towns. To make these enormous works enable and successful, he developed several movable types. Catholic first introduced to Korea and comprehensive study began in 1779. High claim was raised for persecution on Catholic, but king took a generous attitude.

23) Sunjo (1800-1834)
Son of Jeongjo . Ascend the throne at eleven with mother regent. In 1801 first persecution began on Catholics and Chinese priest, father James Chu Munmo shed his blood for the faith. He tried to strengthen the royal power as his ancestral kings did, but only baffled by the challenge of a few noble families, peasant rebellion led by Hong Gyeongrae and the unprecedented eleven year drought in 1809.The rebellion was due to the public discontent and conflicts of social system and less opportunity for the learned group. In 1827, he had to descend the throne as his maternal grandfather enthroned Sunjo's son, who ruled for three years until his death. Sunjo took the throne again, but much distracted and flinched, he did not fully rule the kingdom since then.

24) Heongjong (1834-1849)
Son of Ikjong. Ascend the throne at eight with a grandmother regent. Persecution on Catholics in 1839. Power struggle between Kim and Cho clan grew and ignited the persecution on Catholics. Three French missionaries, bishop Imbert, father Maubant and father Chastan were martyred along with 118 people. In the third persecution in 1846, Andrew Kim Daegeon , a Korea 's first father, and Charles Hyun Sokmun were beheaded including many martyrs. They are easily located as the government organized every five families in one unit, and five units in one Tong, five Tong in one Ri, unit of one village back then. It was first organized in 1485 with an idea of census and to efficiently manage and control taxation and service. His rule ended with leaving people in a hard time and with high claim. He had no son.

25) Cheoljong (1849-1863)
Third son of Jang Chongye, who was the grandson of Jangheon. Returning from his exile in Gangwhado , ascend the throne at nineteen. Kim clan's despotic rule reached its peak with growing number of rebellions around the country. The country was in the state of growing threat from Japan . Catholic, a western learning, was expanding in a great speed, and the court had already lost their ruling authority. Donghak rebellion based on eastern learning, led by Choi Jewoo, won the public support and swept the country with a great number of followers. The court ruled out the rebellion in 1863 by executing a leader. But, his thought lived in the people and later formed a new religion. Cheoljong died of disease without ceasing the power struggle.

26) Gojong (1863-1907)
Second son of Lee Haung, a grandson of Yeongjo. Ascend the throne at twelve with a grandmother regent. But, later his father became a regent and ruled for ten years. Reformed the government organizations and employed able men on the public positions. Established three army and constructed fortresses on Gangwhado. Rebuilt Gyeongbok Palace. 8,000 Catholics martyred in his 1866 persecution. French admiral Roze Pierre Gustavo launched military expeditions for the massacre. In the same year, American merchant ship called General Sherman sailed to Pyeongyang for a trade, but was refused and burned with a loss of twenty three crews. Admiral Rodgers John came in with 1,235 navies and 85 guns in five battle ships in 1871 and conquered Gangwhdo . Korea's tepid attitude in opening the port to Japan, finally caused their invasion by to Japan in 1875, which led the country into the world for the first time in its h istory by reluctantly agreed to open the ports to Japan. In 1882 a treaty of friendship and commerce was signed between Korea and the United States. Donghak revolution in 1894 led the Japan-Qing war.   Japan won the war in 1895 and Russia in 1905. In 1895 queen Min, the wife of Gojong, was murdered by Japanese plot, and Gojong took a refuge at Russian legation for one year. He founded Daehan Empire in 1897 and became an emperor himself. In 1904,  Japan took a police authority by signing an agreement and by doing so their intervention in domestic politics began. Diplomatic right was taken by Japanese authority in 1905. Japan dethroned  Gojong for charging the case of Hague Peace Talk incident in 1907.

27) Sunjong (1907-1910)  
The last king of Joseon dynasty. Second son of Gojong. Korean military was disarmed by Japan. Gojong's son was taken to  Japan under the name of study overseas. Closed ministry of national defense and of justice and reorganized them under their administrative office, which was opened in 1906. Japanese viceroys were assigned in turn, and angry nationals demonstrated against the disabled court and politicians. Ito Hirobumi was assassinated by Ahn Junggeun in China. With the death of  Gojong in 1910, Japan annexed  Korea. Thus the Joseon or Joseon  Dynasty ended in 519 years after foundation and opened the era of Japanese colony.