Crown Prince Sado (1735–1762) was born as the second son of the Korean king Yeongjo of Joseon. Because his older brother, Prince Hyojang, had died young, in 1728, Prince Sado was born the royal heir. However, it had been reported to his father that he was mentally ill, wantonly killed people, and was very erratic. This was a disappointment to his father, and with the consent of Lady Yi, Yeongjo finally ordered him to be sealed alive in a large rice chest, where he died within eight days. His son Yi San became King Jeongjo in 1776, after King Yeongjo's death.
In the 19th century there were rumors that Prince Sado had not been mentally ill, but had been framed; however, these rumors are contradicted by the memoirs (한중록) of Prince Sado's wife, Queen Heongyeong (also known as Lady Hyegyeong). It is, to this day, still an issue of debate if his death was a retribution for his actual misconduct or if he was just the victim of a conspiracy by his political opponents.
Crown Prince Sado was buried on Mt BaebongSan in Yangju. In 1789, his body was moved by his son King Jeongjo, to its current location, then called Hyeollyungwon near Suwon, 30 kilometres south of Seoul. Hwaseong Fortress was built from 1794-1796, and dedicated to honor this tomb. In 1816, Lady Hyegyeong died and was buried with her husband. In 1899, Prince Sado and Lady Hyegyeong were posthumously elevated in status and given the titles Emperor Yangjo and Empress Heonyeong. Their tomb was upgraded accordingly and renamed Yungneung.
Read more about Crown Prince Sado: Family, His Full Posthumous Name, His Imperial Posthumous Name, Ancestry
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