Sejong the Great of Joseon

Sejong the Great (May 6 1397 – May 18 1450), born Yi Do, was the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1418 to 1450. He was also a skilled linguist who apparently personally created the native Korean alphabet Hangul. Although there are circumstantial clues he may have been assisted by family members, most believe that he was the one who actually invented the alphabet, mainly due to the resistance he faced from the intellectuals of the day.

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Sejong is also credited with the invention of a rain gauge, striking water clocks, and a sundial.

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Following the principles of Neo-Confucianism, Sejong was also a humanitarian who proclaimed that there must be three trials before a final judgment is reached, and he prohibited brutality in the punishment of criminals, such as flogging.

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He was an effective military planner. During his era, his army invaded Tsushima to reduce and eliminate heavy Japanese pirate activities along the southern coast line. On the northern border, he established 4 forts and 6 posts to safeguard his people from the hostile normads living in Manchuria. He also created various military regulations and units to strengthen the safety of his kingdom.

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Sejong is one of only two Korean rulers honored with the appellation "the Great," the other being Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo.

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Sejong was the third son of King Taejong. When he was ten, he became Grand Prince Chungnyeong (???? ; ????) and married a daughter of Sim On (?? ; ??) of Cheongsong (?? ; ??), commonly known as Sim-ssi (?? ; ??), who later was given the title Princess-Consort Soheon (???? ; ????).

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Sejong established the Hall of Worthies (??? ; ??? ; Jiphyeonjeon) in 1420 in the royal palace, Sejong gathered intellectuals from around Korea. The scholars of the Hall of Worthies documented history, drafted documents and compiled books on various topics.

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Sejong's writings are also a highly regarded. He composed the famous Yongbi Eocheon Ga ("Songs of Flying Dragons", 1445), Seokbo Sangjeol ("Episodes from the Life of Buddha", July 1447), Worin Cheon-gang Jigok ("Songs of the Moon Shining on a Thousand Rivers", July 1447), and the reference Dongguk Jeong-un ("Dictionary of Proper Sino-Korean Pronunciation", September 1447).

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Sejong died at the age of 52 and was buried at the Yeong Mausoleum (?? ; ??). His successor was his first son, Munjong.

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Sejongno (a street) and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts – both located in central Seoul – are named after King Sejong, and he is depicted on the South Korean 10,000-Won note.

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May 6: May 6 is the 125126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). There are 239 days remaining....

May 18: May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). There are 227 days remaining....

Joseon Dynasty: The Joseon Dynasty (alternatively, Choson or Chosun) was the final ruling dynasty of Korea, lasting from 1392 until 1910. It was founded by the Jeonju Yi family, and was preceded by the Goryeo dynasty....

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