Grand Prince Imyŏng


Yi Ku, formally known as Grand Prince Imyŏng, was an imperial prince of the Joseon dynasty. He was the fourth son of King Sejong. His brothers were King Munjong of Joseon and King Sejo of Joseon.

Biography

Yi Ku was born as the 4th son and 6th child of King Sejong and his wife, Queen Soheon.
From an early age, he was proud and kept a filial attitude to his parents and siblings. When he was a child, he was praised for being sincere. His father, King Sejong was very fond of him.
Like his second older brother, Grand Prince Suyang, he was proficient in martial arts, but he also created a scandal due to having sexual intercourse with court ladies and maids of the palace.
Yi Ku firstly married Princess Consort Nam, but after a month of marriage, their marriage became problematic. Despite the relationship, a son was born. But this led to the Grand Prince to marry Lady Choi of the Jeonju Choi clan, later being titled as Princess Consort Jean, as his second wife and later marry Princess Consort Ahn of the Andong Ahn clan as his third wife. Both marriages produced 5 daughters and 8 sons. He also had a concubine but no issue was born from the relationship.
In 1440, at the age of 20, the Grand Prince became the Yeonguijeong.
During the Gyeyujeong Rebellion, when Grand Prince Suyang fought for the throne against their nephew, King Danjong, Yi Ku supported and helped Grand Prince Suyang. Prince Imyŏng greatly assisted Grand Prince Suyang and contributed to the enthronement of his brother as King Sejo in 1453.
Yi Ku died on January 21, 1469. He was buried in what is now Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province.

Family

Parents
Consort and issues:
  • Princess Consort Nam of the Uiryeong Nam clan ; second daughter of Nam Ji
  • * Eighth Son: Yi Tak, Prince Yunsan
  • * Fifth Daughter: Princess Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
  • Princess Consort Jean of the Jeonju Choi clan ; daughter of Choi Seung-ryeong
  • * First Daughter: Princess Jungmo
  • * First Son: Yi Ju, Prince Ohsan
  • * Second Son: Yi Jun, Prince Gwiseong
  • * Second Daughter: Princess Cheongha
  • * Third Son: Yi Sun, Prince Jeongyang
  • * Fourth Son: Yi Jeong, Prince Palgye
  • * Fifth Son: Yi Jing, Prince Hwanseong
  • Princess Consort Ahn of the Andong Ahn clan
  • * Third Daughter: Princess Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
  • * Sixth Son: Yi Ham, Prince Yeongyang
  • * Fourth Daughter: Princess Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
  • * Seventh Son: Yi Rin, Dangyebujeong
  • * Ninth Son: Yi Ok, Prince Okcheon
  • * Sixth Daughter: Princess Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan
  • Concubine Geum Gang-mae