Accession
His era was quite in disorder as his father was killed by royal decree of his own father, King Jeongjo's grandfather. King Yeongjo's ultimate decision to execute Prince Sado was greatly influenced by other politicians who were against Prince Sado. After King Yeongjo's death and on the day that he became the King of Joseon, he sat on his throne in the throne room and looked at everyone and said, "I am the son of the late Crown Prince Sado..." A bold statement that sent shivers to all the politicians who were complicit in his father's death. During his accession, he also ordered a royal decree that his mother, Lady Hye Gyeong, be a Dowager Queen since his father, her husband, was supposed to be the King before him but never occurred as it should have. She thus became the Queen Dowager, the widow of Crown Prince Sado. From then on, King Jeongjo went through many turbulent timeperiods but overcame them with the aid of Hong Guk-yeong.
Read more about this topic: Jeongjo Of Joseon