King Yeonsangun: The Tyrant of Joseon

The Rise of a King

Born Yi Yung in 1476, Yeonsangun became the 10th monarch of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty in 1494, succeeding his father, King Seongjong.

His mother, Lady Yun (later posthumously honored as Queen Jeheon), had been executed by poison for striking her husband and angering the Queen Dowager Insu.

For much of his youth, Yeonsangun did not know the truth about his mother’s fate, and when he finally learned, it fueled a deep resentment and paranoia that would shape his reign.

Early Reign and Hidden Darkness

At the start, Yeonsangun’s rule appeared promising. He strengthened national defense and aided the poor, showing himself to be a capable administrator.

However, even early on, there were signs of a violent temperament. Soon after ascending the throne, he killed one of his tutors, foreshadowing the brutality to come.

The Literati Purges

Yeonsangun is infamous for two major purges of scholars and officials—the Muosahwa (1498) and Gapjasahwa (1504) massacres.

The first purge began when a scholar included a critical passage about a previous king’s coup in the royal records. Yeonsangun saw this as an insult to the throne and executed or exiled many scholars.

The second purge was even more personal. When Im Sa-hong revealed the truth about his mother’s death and showed him a blood-stained garment, Yeonsangun became consumed by vengeance.

He executed two of his father’s concubines, caused the death of his grandmother, and ordered the exhumation and beheading of a deceased official’s corpse.

Hundreds of officials and their families were killed or exiled, often for merely being present at court when his mother was executed.

A Reign of Terror

Yeonsangun’s cruelty knew no bounds. He turned Sungkyunkwan, the royal university, into a pleasure ground and converted Buddhist temples into brothels for his entertainment.

He forcibly gathered young women from across the kingdom to serve as palace entertainers and destroyed large parts of the capital to create hunting grounds, displacing thousands of citizens.

He abolished the Office of Censors and the Office of Special Advisors, silencing all opposition.

When commoners criticized him with posters written in Hangul, he banned the use of the Korean script.

Acts of Brutality

One of the most notorious episodes was the execution of Chief Eunuch Kim Cheo-seon.

When Kim dared to advise the king to change his ways, Yeonsangun used him as a target for archery and personally cut off his limbs.

He then ordered the execution of Kim’s entire family, following the ancient principle of “nine familial exterminations.”

Downfall and Exile

By 1506, the court had had enough. A group of officials, including Pak Wŏnjong and Sŏng Hŭiann, led a coup and deposed Yeonsangun, replacing him with his half-brother, Grand Prince Jinseong (King Jungjong).

Yeonsangun was demoted to “Prince Yeonsan” and exiled to Ganghwa Island, where he died of illness—likely dysentery or grief—two months later.

His favorite concubine, Jang Nok-su, who had encouraged his misrule, was beheaded. His four young sons were forced to commit suicide by poison.

Legacy of a Tyrant

Yeonsangun is the only Joseon king to be denied a temple name, reflecting his universally negative reputation.

His reign is remembered as a period of terror, marked by violence, extravagance, and the suppression of both scholars and ordinary citizens.

His tomb, Yeonsangunmyo, stands in Seoul as a silent reminder of one of Korea’s darkest chapters.

King Yeonsangun’s story is a cautionary tale of power unchecked and vengeance unbound.

His legacy is not one of glory, but of horror—a stark reminder of the dangers of absolute authority and the human capacity for cruelty.