Prince Inseong (仁城君, December 17, 1588 (10th month, 29th day of the lunar calendar) – June 21, 1628 (5th month, 20th day of the lunar calendar)) was a royal of Joseon. He was the seventh son of King Seonjo, and his birth mother was Lady Jeongbin Min. During the reign of King Injo, he was implicated
Born~Died 1588 ~ 1628Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM
Prince Inseong (仁城君, December 17, 1588 (10th month, 29th day of the lunar calendar) – June 21, 1628 (5th month, 20th day of the lunar calendar)) was a royal of Joseon. He was the seventh son of Seonjo, and his birth mother was Lady Jeongbin Min. During the reign of Injo, he was implicated in a treason case, impeached, and ordered to die by poison.
Life
Birth and princely years
On the 29th day of the 10th month of 1588 (21st year of Seonjo's reign), he was born as the eldest son of Seonjo and Lady Jeongbin Min (靜嬪 閔氏). He was Seonjo's seventh son. His personal name was Gong (珙), and his art name was Baein (百忍).1
When he was five years old, in 1592 (25th year of Seonjo's reign), the Imjin War broke out, forcing him to flee to Uiju. In 1597 (30th year of Seonjo's reign), he was moved to Seongcheon. In the 12th month of the lunar calendar that year, he returned to Hanyang and was formally enfeoffed as Prince Inseong (仁城君).
On March 9, 1603 (36th year of Seonjo's reign), he married the daughter of Yun Seung-gil, who had served as Minister of Justice. The Veritable Records of King Seonjo strongly criticizes the wedding of Prince Inseong: although it was held just after the war, the goods used were far greater than before, and the officials in charge of the ceremony privately seized wealth and extorted property from the common people, so that their cries were so tragic that they could not be heard.2
In 1604 (37th year of Seonjo's reign), when the Hoseong Merit Subjects and the Hoseong Wonjong meritorious subjects were honored, Prince Inseong, together with his half-brother and his half-brother , was recorded as one of the first-rank Hoseong Wonjong meritorious subjects.
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After his half-brother Gwanghaegun ascended the throne, he served as Sayongwon and JongbusiDojejo.1 However, in 1612 (4th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), he saw royal censors on the road but passed by without showing any courtesy, did not dismount from his horse, and was impeached for this.3 In the intercalary 8th month of 1615 (7th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), on the 2nd day, he was even implicated in a treason plot, but all of these cases passed without incident because of Gwanghaegun's protection.4
Prince Inseong actively took part in the deposition and execution of Queen Inmok, the second wife of Seonjo, and her son Grand Prince Yeongchang, and he requested that their crimes be punished. In 1613 (5th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), he first actively urged the execution of Grand Prince Yeongchang,5 and urged that members of the royal clan who did not attend the deliberation on Grand Prince Yeongchang's crimes be dismissed from office.6 Furthermore, from 1617 (9th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), he began to lead members of the royal family in taking the lead in urging the deposition of Queen Inmok.78
Injo era
When the Injo Restoration took place in 1623 (1st year of Injo's reign), his punishment was discussed on the grounds that he had supported the deposition of Queen Inmok, but he was able to escape unharmed because Injo did not approve it.9 It is also said that Injo always called Prince Inseong his uncle and treated him with respect.1 However, in the same year, when officials of the Saheonbu who were going to work did not avoid him on the road, he raised the issue and requested that they be investigated for misconduct. When the Saheonbu did not accept this, he insulted and reproached them, and was impeached again. Even then, however, he passed without incident under Injo's protection.10
However, in the 11th month of the lunar calendar of the following year, 1624 (2nd year of Injo's reign), a treason plot was reported in which people intended to make the deposed Gwanghaegun a Retired Emperor and enthrone Prince Inseong as king.11 Because of this, many high officials requested that Prince Inseong be exiled, but Injo, saying that there was no evidence that Prince Inseong had participated in the group that led the plot, could not punish him and kept postponing his punishment.12 However, memorials requesting Prince Inseong's exile continued endlessly until the 2nd month of the lunar calendar of the following year, and in the end, unable to resist, Injo ordered Prince Inseong into exile on the 23rd day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar in 1625 (3rd year of Injo's reign). However, he also ordered that his residence at the place of exile be kept comfortable and that supplies not be lacking.13 Two days later, on the 25th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar, Prince Inseong was placed in Ganseong County in Gangwon Province. On this day, Injo not only personally explained to Prince Inseong's son, Haepyeong Dojeong, the circumstances of his exile,14 but also, on the following day, provided him with a palanquin, royal physicians, and bodyguards.15
Meanwhile, on the 18th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar that year, Censor16 Mok Seong-seon and Assistant Clerk17 Yu Seok, among others, submitted a memorial requesting his release, saying that Prince Inseong was not guilty.18 Furthermore, on the previous day, when his son Haepyeong Dojeong, who had returned from the place of exile, explained that Prince Inseong was suffering from illness, Injo ordered his release.19 However, the Censorate immediately and successively rebutted Mok Seong-seon's memorial as erroneous,20 so Prince Inseong was not released and was transferred to Wonju.21 Afterward, Injo continuously sent him physicians, medicine, and cloth,2223 and on the 1st day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar in 1626 (4th year of Injo's reign), on the grounds that his birth mother, Lady Jeongbin Min, had fallen ill, he was finally ordered released.24
However, in the following year, 1628 (6th year of Injo's reign), on the 3rd day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar, a report came in that Prince Inseong had participated in a treason plot instigated by Heo Yu (許逌), who was then a Semo,25 and others. At this time, even Queen Inmok stepped forward to request his punishment,26 and members of the royal family visited Injo every day to submit memorials urging that Prince Inseong be punished.27 In the end, on the 21st day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar, Prince Inseong was placed in Jindo in Jeolla Province, but was allowed to live together with his family.28 Afterward, the high officials continuously began to request his execution,29 and in the end, on the 14th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, Injo ordered Prince Inseong to take his own life.30 Six days later, on the 20th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, Prince Inseong died at the age of 41.1
Death and aftermath
When Injo heard of Prince Inseong's death, he ordered that he be given a yejang (royal funeral), but this too was opposed by the high officials, and a compromise was reached by changing the yejang (禮葬)31 to a hujang (厚葬).3233
Meanwhile, Prince Inseong's family, who had continued to remain at the place of exile, were transferred to Jeju Island on the 29th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar in 1628 (6th year of Injo's reign).34 Afterward, only the women and young children were released first in 1629 (7th year of Injo's reign),35 and in 1633 (11th year of Injo's reign), all of Prince Inseong's adult sons were also released.36 Then, on the 23rd day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar in 1637 (15th year of Injo's reign), all of Prince Inseong's titles and ranks were restored.37 His posthumous name is Hyomin (孝愍).38
The tomb of Prince Inseong is currently located in Geumo-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. He is buried together with his wife, Lady Yun, and it is equipped with a tombstone, a stone offering table, statues of civil officials, and stone pillars. The tomb of Prince Inseong was designated as the 3rd local cultural heritage of Uijeongbu on March 14, 1986.39
Other
The area where Prince Inseong lived after leaving the palace was called "Inseong-but-jae" (인성붓재), which was converted into Chinese characters as "Inseong-hyeon" (仁城峴) and later shortened to "Inhyeon" (仁峴). This name became the origin of the name of the present-day Inhyeon-dong in Jung-gu, Seoul.40
Prince Haeyang, the youngest son of Prince Inseong, recorded what he saw and heard on Jeju Island in his collected writings, Gyuchang-jip (葵窓集), at the time when he was transferred to Jeju Island. This is evaluated as an important historical source for studying the appearance of Jeju Island at that time.41
Family
Prince Inseong married the second daughter of Yun Seung-gil of the Haepyeong Yun clan, and had five sons and two daughters.42 The eldest son was Haepyeong Gun Yi Gil, and the second son was Haean Gun Yi Eok. Haepyeong Gun and Haean Gun were both adopted into the household of Prince Sunhwa, the son of Seonjo and Lady Sunbin Kim. The third son was Haewon Gun Yi Geon, the fourth son was Haeryeong Gun Yi Geup, and the fifth son was Prince Haeyang Yi Hui.1
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 1st month, 20th day (Imo), 1st article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 1st month, 20th day (Imo), 2nd article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 1st month, 21st day (Gyemi), 2nd article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 5th month, 2nd day (Imsul), 2nd article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 5th month, 14th day (Gapsul), 1st article ↩
Meaning "a funeral carried out with proper ceremony," but also refers to funerals of the Retired Emperor, emperors, crown princes, crown grandsons, and their consorts. See Naver Korean Dictionary, "Yejang"↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Revised Records of the Seonwon Genealogy Abridged (璿源譜略修正儀軌), 1874 edition ↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Seonwonrok, held by the Jangseogak Archives, Korean Studies Academy ↩
Prince Inseong (仁城君, December 17, 1588 (10th month, 29th day of the lunar calendar) – June 21, 1628 (5th month, 20th day of the lunar calendar)) was a royal of Joseon. He was the seventh son of Seonjo, and his birth mother was Lady Jeongbin Min. During the reign of Injo, he was implicated in a treason case, impeached, and ordered to die by poison.
Life
Birth and princely years
On the 29th day of the 10th month of 1588 (21st year of Seonjo's reign), he was born as the eldest son of Seonjo and Lady Jeongbin Min (靜嬪 閔氏). He was Seonjo's seventh son. His personal name was Gong (珙), and his art name was Baein (百忍).1
When he was five years old, in 1592 (25th year of Seonjo's reign), the Imjin War broke out, forcing him to flee to Uiju. In 1597 (30th year of Seonjo's reign), he was moved to Seongcheon. In the 12th month of the lunar calendar that year, he returned to Hanyang and was formally enfeoffed as Prince Inseong (仁城君).
On March 9, 1603 (36th year of Seonjo's reign), he married the daughter of Yun Seung-gil, who had served as Minister of Justice. The Veritable Records of King Seonjo strongly criticizes the wedding of Prince Inseong: although it was held just after the war, the goods used were far greater than before, and the officials in charge of the ceremony privately seized wealth and extorted property from the common people, so that their cries were so tragic that they could not be heard.2
In 1604 (37th year of Seonjo's reign), when the Hoseong Merit Subjects and the Hoseong were honored, Prince Inseong, together with his half-brother and his half-brother , was recorded as one of the first-rank Hoseong Wonjong meritorious subjects.
After his half-brother Gwanghaegun ascended the throne, he served as Sayongwon and JongbusiDojejo.1 However, in 1612 (4th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), he saw royal censors on the road but passed by without showing any courtesy, did not dismount from his horse, and was impeached for this.3 In the intercalary 8th month of 1615 (7th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), on the 2nd day, he was even implicated in a treason plot, but all of these cases passed without incident because of Gwanghaegun's protection.4
Prince Inseong actively took part in the deposition and execution of Queen Inmok, the second wife of Seonjo, and her son Grand Prince Yeongchang, and he requested that their crimes be punished. In 1613 (5th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), he first actively urged the execution of Grand Prince Yeongchang,5 and urged that members of the royal clan who did not attend the deliberation on Grand Prince Yeongchang's crimes be dismissed from office.6 Furthermore, from 1617 (9th year of Gwanghaegun's reign), he began to lead members of the royal family in taking the lead in urging the deposition of Queen Inmok.78
Injo era
When the Injo Restoration took place in 1623 (1st year of Injo's reign), his punishment was discussed on the grounds that he had supported the deposition of Queen Inmok, but he was able to escape unharmed because Injo did not approve it.9 It is also said that Injo always called Prince Inseong his uncle and treated him with respect.1 However, in the same year, when officials of the Saheonbu who were going to work did not avoid him on the road, he raised the issue and requested that they be investigated for misconduct. When the Saheonbu did not accept this, he insulted and reproached them, and was impeached again. Even then, however, he passed without incident under Injo's protection.10
However, in the 11th month of the lunar calendar of the following year, 1624 (2nd year of Injo's reign), a treason plot was reported in which people intended to make the deposed Gwanghaegun a Retired Emperor and enthrone Prince Inseong as king.11 Because of this, many high officials requested that Prince Inseong be exiled, but Injo, saying that there was no evidence that Prince Inseong had participated in the group that led the plot, could not punish him and kept postponing his punishment.12 However, memorials requesting Prince Inseong's exile continued endlessly until the 2nd month of the lunar calendar of the following year, and in the end, unable to resist, Injo ordered Prince Inseong into exile on the 23rd day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar in 1625 (3rd year of Injo's reign). However, he also ordered that his residence at the place of exile be kept comfortable and that supplies not be lacking.13 Two days later, on the 25th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar, Prince Inseong was placed in Ganseong County in Gangwon Province. On this day, Injo not only personally explained to Prince Inseong's son, Haepyeong Dojeong, the circumstances of his exile,14 but also, on the following day, provided him with a palanquin, royal physicians, and bodyguards.15
Meanwhile, on the 18th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar that year, Censor16 Mok Seong-seon and Assistant Clerk17 Yu Seok, among others, submitted a memorial requesting his release, saying that Prince Inseong was not guilty.18 Furthermore, on the previous day, when his son Haepyeong Dojeong, who had returned from the place of exile, explained that Prince Inseong was suffering from illness, Injo ordered his release.19 However, the Censorate immediately and successively rebutted Mok Seong-seon's memorial as erroneous,20 so Prince Inseong was not released and was transferred to Wonju.21 Afterward, Injo continuously sent him physicians, medicine, and cloth,2223 and on the 1st day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar in 1626 (4th year of Injo's reign), on the grounds that his birth mother, Lady Jeongbin Min, had fallen ill, he was finally ordered released.24
However, in the following year, 1628 (6th year of Injo's reign), on the 3rd day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar, a report came in that Prince Inseong had participated in a treason plot instigated by Heo Yu (許逌), who was then a Semo,25 and others. At this time, even Queen Inmok stepped forward to request his punishment,26 and members of the royal family visited Injo every day to submit memorials urging that Prince Inseong be punished.27 In the end, on the 21st day of the 1st month of the lunar calendar, Prince Inseong was placed in Jindo in Jeolla Province, but was allowed to live together with his family.28 Afterward, the high officials continuously began to request his execution,29 and in the end, on the 14th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, Injo ordered Prince Inseong to take his own life.30 Six days later, on the 20th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, Prince Inseong died at the age of 41.1
Death and aftermath
When Injo heard of Prince Inseong's death, he ordered that he be given a yejang (royal funeral), but this too was opposed by the high officials, and a compromise was reached by changing the yejang (禮葬)31 to a hujang (厚葬).3233
Meanwhile, Prince Inseong's family, who had continued to remain at the place of exile, were transferred to Jeju Island on the 29th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar in 1628 (6th year of Injo's reign).34 Afterward, only the women and young children were released first in 1629 (7th year of Injo's reign),35 and in 1633 (11th year of Injo's reign), all of Prince Inseong's adult sons were also released.36 Then, on the 23rd day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar in 1637 (15th year of Injo's reign), all of Prince Inseong's titles and ranks were restored.37 His posthumous name is Hyomin (孝愍).38
The tomb of Prince Inseong is currently located in Geumo-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. He is buried together with his wife, Lady Yun, and it is equipped with a tombstone, a stone offering table, statues of civil officials, and stone pillars. The tomb of Prince Inseong was designated as the 3rd local cultural heritage of Uijeongbu on March 14, 1986.39
Other
The area where Prince Inseong lived after leaving the palace was called "Inseong-but-jae" (인성붓재), which was converted into Chinese characters as "Inseong-hyeon" (仁城峴) and later shortened to "Inhyeon" (仁峴). This name became the origin of the name of the present-day Inhyeon-dong in Jung-gu, Seoul.40
Prince Haeyang, the youngest son of Prince Inseong, recorded what he saw and heard on Jeju Island in his collected writings, Gyuchang-jip (葵窓集), at the time when he was transferred to Jeju Island. This is evaluated as an important historical source for studying the appearance of Jeju Island at that time.41
Family
Prince Inseong married the second daughter of Yun Seung-gil of the Haepyeong Yun clan, and had five sons and two daughters.42 The eldest son was Haepyeong Gun Yi Gil, and the second son was Haean Gun Yi Eok. Haepyeong Gun and Haean Gun were both adopted into the household of Prince Sunhwa, the son of Seonjo and Lady Sunbin Kim. The third son was Haewon Gun Yi Geon, the fourth son was Haeryeong Gun Yi Geup, and the fifth son was Prince Haeyang Yi Hui.1
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 1st month, 20th day (Imo), 1st article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 1st month, 20th day (Imo), 2nd article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 1st month, 21st day (Gyemi), 2nd article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 5th month, 2nd day (Imsul), 2nd article ↩
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo 18, 6th year (1628, Mujin / Ming Tianqi 8) 5th month, 14th day (Gapsul), 1st article ↩
Meaning "a funeral carried out with proper ceremony," but also refers to funerals of the Retired Emperor, emperors, crown princes, crown grandsons, and their consorts. See Naver Korean Dictionary, "Yejang"↩