The Story of King Sejong
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King Sejong the Great
King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty (reigned 1418-1450), loved his people with all his heart. He made great achievements in various fields, including politics, economy, national defense, and culture, creating a high-quality national culture and strengthening the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty.
Personal Information
- Birth Name
- Ido (李祹)
- Courtesy Name
- Wonjeong (元正)
- Postthumuous Name
- King Sejong the Great (世宗大王)
- Birthplace
- Jungsubang, Hanyang (present-day near Yeongchunmun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Tongin-dong, Seoul)
- Date of Birth
- Apr. 10, 1397 (Lunar calendar)/May 15 (Solar calendar) - Feb. 17, 1450
- Period of Reign
- Aug. 1418 – Feb. 17, 1450
- Family Relationship
- Father - King Taejong Lee Bang-won (太宗), Mother - Queen Wongyeong (元敬王后), Wife - Queen Soheon (昭憲王后), and children (18 sons and 4 daughters, including King Munjong, the fifth king of Joseon Dynasty)
- Hobby
- Study, reading
- Talent
- Absolute pitch sense (Recognized wrong notes immediately upon hearing off-key sounds of Pyeongyeong)
- Favorite Sports
- Geokgu (a game resembling polo) and Gangmu (a form of hunting) for learning martial arts and improving health
- Favorite Foods
- Meat, cherry
- Interest
- Things necessary and beneficial only for the people
- Value
- Connecting with the people. "The people are the foundation of the country; only when the foundation is strong, the country can be at peace."
- Major Achievement
- Creation of Hunminjeongeum (the Korean script), advance in science, music, and technology, and territorial expansion
Biography
- 1397
- Born as the third prince of King Taejong (6th year of King Taejo’s reign)
- 1418
- Ascended to the throne as the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty (age 21 / 18th year of King Taejong’s reign)
- 1419
- Conquered Tsushima Island (age 23 / 1st year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1420
- Established Jiphyeonjeon (an academic research institute) at the palace, and began production of Gyeongjaja (bronze metal type) (age 25 / 2nd year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1429
- Compiled Nongsajikseol (farmer’s handbook) and produced Pyeongjong (instrument) (age 33 / 11th year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1434
- Produced a Gapinja (metal type) and made Angbuilgu (sundial) (age 38 / 16th year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1437
- Produced Ilseongjeongsi (astronomical observation instrument) and conquered six towns (age 41 / 19th year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1443
- Created Hunminjeongeum (age 47 / 25th year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1445
- Complied Chiljeongsan (history book), wrote Yongbieocheonga (epic poem), improved cannons such as Cheongjapo, and created Jeongganbo (musical notation) (age 49 / 27th year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1448
- Created Singijeon (fire arrow rocket) and complied Chongtongdeungrok (technical manual for weapons) (age 52 / 30th year of King Sejong’s reign)
- 1450
- King Sejong passed away (age 54 / 32th year of King Sejong’s reign)
