Founding of Joseon

Overview

The founding of Joseon refers to the event in which Yi Song-gye (King Taejo) ascended the throne at Suchang Palace (壽昌宮) in Kaesong on the 17th day of the 7th lunar month of 1392 (5 August in the Gregorian calendar), replacing the Goryeo dynasty. Immediately after his accession, the state was still called "Goryeo," but after negotiations with Ming, the name was officially fixed as "Joseon" on the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1393 (27 March in the Gregorian calendar). The Gregorian dates in this article follow the Julian calendar conversions used on Wikipedia and similar sources.

Background

After seizing military power through the Wihwado Retreat in 1388, Yi Song-gye's faction deposed King U and King Chang in succession and installed King Gongyang. Afterward, the land reform (the Gwajeon Law, 1391) led by Jo Jun and Jeong Do-jeon destroyed the economic base of the powerful aristocratic families. However, reformists themselves split: the faction of Jeong Mong-ju, which wished to preserve the Goryeo dynasty, and the faction of Jeong Do-jeon, which wanted to establish a new dynasty. In spring 1392, when Yi Song-gye was injured after being thrown from his horse while hunting in Hwangju, Jeong Mong-ju took advantage of the situation to impeach Jo Jun, Jeong Do-jeon, Nam Eun, and others and have them exiled. Yi Bang-won, the fifth son of Yi Song-gye, struck down Jeong Mong-ju near the Seonjuk Bridge in Kaesong, which reversed the situation, and the reformists who had been exiled returned to the court.

Progression

According to the general introduction and the entry for the 17th day of the 7th month of the first year in the Veritable Records of King Taejo, the course of events was as follows.

• 7th day of the 7th month: On the day King Gongyang visited Yi Song-gye's private residence to form an alliance, the Chamber Minister Bae Geuk-ryeom and others asked the Queen Dowager (Lady Ahn, consort of King Gongmin) to depose King Gongyang. Nam Eun and Jeong Hui-gye, bearing the royal decree, went to the temporary palace in Bukcheon-dong to proclaim this, and King Gongyang withdrew to Wonju. The officials placed the royal seal in the Queen Dowager's quarters and reported state affairs to the Queen Dowager.
• 13th day of the 7th month: The Queen Dowager issued a decree appointing Yi Song-gye as Supervisor of State Affairs (監錄國事).
• 16th day of the 7th month: Bae Geuk-ryeom, Jo Jun, and other senior officials, along with the military officers and elderly statesmen, took the royal seal and went to Yi Song-gye's residence. The Veritable Records state that at "dusk," Bae Geuk-ryeom and others pushed open the gate and placed the royal seal on the hall's platform, whereupon Yi Song-gye, in confusion, came out supported by Yi Cheon-u, and the officials bowed and beat drums while shouting "long live" (萬歲). Yi Song-gye declined, saying that the rise of a sovereign requires the mandate of heaven. At that time, when the Grand Minister of the Office of Inspector-General, Min Gae, showed a displeased expression, Nam Eun tried to kill him, but Yi Song-gye stopped him.