Yeongjo of Joseon

Uncommon card · No. 112105

Yeongjo (Korean: 영조; Hanja: 英祖; 31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776), personal name Yi Geum, was the 21st monarch of Joseon. The second son of King Sukjong, he acceded to the throne upon the death of his elder half-brother, King Gyeongjong. His life was characterized by political infighting and resentment due to his biological mother's low-born origins. Yeongjo is most remembered for his reform of the taxation system, and persistent efforts to reconcile the various political factions through his Tangpyeong policy (탕평책; 蕩平策; lit. ''Policy of Magnificent Harmony''), which focused on keeping a strict numerical balance of officials from opposing factions in key government offices. His reign of nearly 52 years was also marked by the highly contentious execution of his only surviving son, Crown Prince Sado, in 1762. However, in spite of this controversy, Yeongjo has earned a positive reputation in Korean history.

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