King Taejo

This article is about the Joseon Dynasty monarch; for the 10th century king, see King Taejo of Goryeo.

• Born: 1335
• Died: 1408
• Other Names: Yi Sŏnggye

King Taejo, also known as Yi Sŏnggye, was the founder of the Korean Joseon Dynasty.

He was born the son of Yuan Dynasty officials of Korean ethnicity, and was raised in the Shuangcheng (K: Ssangseong) commandery of the Yuan Empire, what is today North and South Hamgyeong province. There, he grew up in a fairly multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, surrounded by Jurchens, Mongols, Han Chinese, and Koreans.

Preceded by: None

King of Joseon 1392-1398

Succeeded by: King Jeongjong

References

• Adam Bohnet, “Ruling Ideology and Marginal Subjects: Ming Loyalism and Foreign Lineages in Late Chosŏn Korea.” Journal of Early Modern History 15:6 (January 2011): 484.