Sejong the Great of Joseon
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| Sejong the Great of Joseon | |
|---|---|
 Sejong the Great of Joseon |
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| Hangul: | 세종대왕 |
| Hanja: | 世宗大王 |
| Revised Romanization: | Sejong Daewang |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Sejong Taewang |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul: | 이도 |
| Hanja: | 李祹 |
| Revised Romanization: | I Do |
| McCune-Reischauer: | I To |
Sejong the Great (May 6, 1397 – May 18, 1450, r. 1418 - 1450) was the fourth king of the Choson Dynasty of Korea. He is best remembered for creating the native Korean alphabet Hangul, despite strong opposition from the scholars educated in hanja (Chinese script). Sejong is one of only two Korean rulers posthumously honored with the appellation "the Great," the other being Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo.
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[edit] Early life
Sejong was the third son of King Taejong. When he was sixteen, he became Grand Prince Chungnyeong (충녕대군; 忠寧大君) and married a daughter of Sim On (심온; 沈溫) of Cheongsong (청송; 靑松), commonly known as Lady Sim (심씨; 沈氏), who later was given the title Princess-Consort Soheon (소헌왕비; 昭憲王妃).
As a young prince, Sejong excelled in various studies and was favored by King Taejong over his two older brothers.
Sejong's rise to the throne was different from most other kings. The eldest prince, Yangnyung (양녕대군), viewing himself as lacking in the requisite skills for kingship, believed that Sejong was destined to become king. Together with the second prince Hyoryung (효령대군), he believed it was their duty to place Sejong as king. So they acted extremely rudely in the court, and soon were banished from Seoul. This ploy of the two princes ultimately brought Sejong to the throne. The eldest prince became a wandering traveler and lived in the mountains. The second son travelled to a Buddhist temple, where he became a monk.
In June 1418, King Taejong abdicated, and Sejong was crowned King of Joseon (in August of the same year) and began his rule. (Taejong helped in military as ex-king for 4 years, and died in 1422)
[edit] Hangul
King Sejong the Great made the the greatest impact on Korean history after his introduction of Hangul, the native phonemic alphabet system for Korean language.
[edit] Strengthening of Korean Military
King Sejong was an effective military planner. During his era, he sent an army to destroy the increasing number of Japanese pirates appearing on Korean shores. Naval engagements quieted much pirate activity, and led to the invasion of the Japanese island of Tsushima. Korea controlled the island after this and Korean civilians were allowed to live in Tsushima. After King Sejong's rule, however, Tsushima fell back into Japanese control.
On the northern border, he established four forts and six posts to safeguard his people from the hostile Chinese and Manchurian nomads living in Manchuria. He also created various military regulations to strengthen the safety of his kingdom. King Sejong supported the advancement of Korean military technology and cannon development increased. Different kinds of mortars and fire arrows were tested as well using gunpowder.
In 1433, Sejong sent Kim Jong-seo (김종서), a prominent general, north to destroy the Manchu. Kim's military campaign captured several castles, pushed north, and restored Korean territory, roughly the present-day border between North Korea and China.
[edit] Literature
Sejong overall, supported literature, and encouraged high class officials and scholars to study at the court. King Sejong also oversaw the creation of Hangul and announced it to the Korean people in the Hunminjeongeum (훈민정음), which was an announcement composed of both Hangul and Hanja.
Although most of the government officials and the aristocracy opposed the usage of Hangul, lower classes embraced it, became literate, and were able to communicate among one another easily.
Sejong's personal writings are also highly regarded. He composed the famous Yongbi Eocheon Ga (“Songs of Flying Dragons”, 1445), Seokbo Sangjeol (“Episodes from the Life of Buddha”, July 1447), Worin Cheon-gang Jigok (“Songs of the Moon Shining on a Thousand Rivers”, July 1447), and the reference Dongguk Jeong-un (“Dictionary of Proper Sino-Korean Pronunciation”, September 1447).
Sejong established the Hall of Worthies (집현전; 集賢殿; Jiphyeonjeon) in 1420 in the royal palace, Sejong gathered intellectuals from around Korea. The scholars of the Hall of Worthies documented history, drafted documents and compiled books on various topics. Korea culturally advanced through King Sejong's encouragement.
Following the principles of Neo-Confucianism, Sejong was also a humanitarian who proclaimed that there must be three trials before a final judgment is reached, and he prohibited brutality in the punishment of criminals, such as flogging.
[edit] Technology
Sejong is also credited with technological advances during his reign. During his rule, Jang Yeong-sil (장영실) (also, Chang Yongsil), who worked for the Palace Guard, became known as a prominent inventor. Jang was naturally a creative and smart thinker as a young person. However, Jang was at the bottom of the social class.
Sejong noticed Jang's skill and immediately called him to his court in Seoul. Upon giving Jang a government position and power to invent anything, the officials protested, believing that a low class person could not rise to power as a noble or a higher class. Sejong instead believed that Jang had the skill and supported his projects.
Jang invented the world's first rain gauge and created some significant water clocks and sundials.
King Sejong wanted to help the farmers so he decided to create the farmer's handbook. The book contained information about the different farming techniques that he told the scientists to gather in different regions in Korea.
Depending on the land of the farmers, he allowed them to pay more or less taxes. By this action, many farmers had fewer worries about keeping alive. Once the palace had a surplus of food, King Sejong shared the food with the poor peasants or farmers who needed it.
He was famous for his words, "The people's happiness is my happiness."
[edit] End of Reign 1450
Sejong died at the age of 53 and was buried at the Yeong Mausoleum (영릉; 英陵) in 1450. His successor was his first son, Munjong.
The street Sejongno and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts – both located in central Seoul – are named after King Sejong, and he is depicted on the South Korean 10,000-Won note.
[edit] Family
- Father: King Taejong (태종)
- Mother: Queen Wongyeong (원경왕후)
- Consorts:
- Queen Soheon (소헌왕후)
- Children:
- King Munjong (문종), 1st Son.
- Grand Prince Su-yang (수양대군), 2nd Son. later King Sejo.
- Grand Prince Anpyeong (안평대군), 3rd Son.
- Grand Prince Im-yeong (임영대군), 4th Son.
- Grand Prince Gwangpyeong (광평대군), 5th son.
- Grand Prince Gumseong (금성대군), 6th son.
- Grand Prince Pyeongwon (평원대군), 7th son.
- Grand Prince Youngeung (영응대군), 8th son.
- Princess Jeongso (정소공주), 1st daughter.
- Princess Jeong-eui (정의공주), 2nd daughter.
[edit] Further reading
- King Sejong the Great: the Light of Fifteenth Century Korea, Young-Key Kim-Renaud, International Circle of Korean Linguistics, 1992, softcover, 119 pages, ISBN 1-882177-00-2
| Preceded by Taejong |
Korean monarchs (Joseon Dynasty) 1418–1450 |
Succeeded by Munjong |
[edit] See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- History of Korea
- List of Kings of Korea
- Sejongno
