Hong Guk-yeong

Hong Guk-yeong (Korean: 홍국영; Hanja: 洪國榮, 1748 – 28 April 1781), was a noted Korean scholar and politician of Joseon dynasty who first strongly supported King Jeongjo's accession and toiled to improve the king's power, but ended up being expelled because of his desire for power.[1] He served the king in the closest proximity of all government officials and often enjoyed great power that was derived from the king's favor. Hong Guk-yeong and Han Myeong-hoe (during Sejo's reign) are some examples of chief royal secretaries who were the most powerful officials of their time.[2]

In this Korean name, the family name is Hong.
Hong Guk-yeong
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHong Guk-yeong
McCune–ReischauerHong Kukyŏng
Courtesy name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationDeokno
McCune–ReischauerTŏkno

Life

Hong Guk-yeong was born in 1748 in Hanseong into the Pungsan Hong clan. He was the only son of Hong Nak-chun and his wife, Lady Yi of the Ubong Yi clan. Through his father, he was an 11th degree great-nephew of Lady Hyegyeong (mother of King Jeongjo), as well as the 5th great-grandson of Hong Joo-won and Princess Jeongmyeong.[3]

He served as one of the most trusted advisors and close confidantes to Jeongjo when he was the Crown Prince Yi San.[4] He was also the main tutor of the Crown Prince Yi San. After Yi San ascended the throne as Jeongjo, Hong was promoted to Chief Inspector, Chief of the Royal Guard, and Chief Royal Secretary due to his skill at politics and investigation.[5] His younger sister Lady Hong also became one of Jeongjo's concubines and Hong Guk-yeong hoped to enhance his influence by being related to the King's future heir. However, his sister would die out of grief after a failed cover-up of a phantom pregnancy (due to potential scandal).[6] Enraged over the fact that she died unforgiven by Queen Hyoui and her remark that he would have no influence over the next heir, he made a bargain with Queen Jeongsun to allow him to be the adoptive parent of a member of the royal family. In the end, he was exiled for trying to poison Queen Hyoui out of anger over his sister's death and to prevent his bargain from being exposed, for Queen Hyoui discovered it and threatened to tell King Jeongjo. He aborted the attempt after discovering that the King was taking her place at the food ceremony and tearfully confessed. He later died on 28 April 1781 at peace due to health issues after being forgiven by the king.[7]

References
  1. Foundation, The Korea (2013-03-30). Korea Focus - June 2012. 한국국제교류재단. ISBN 978-89-86090-86-4.
  2. 저, 신봉승 (2007-10-31). 실록대하소설21. 정조 이산 (in Korean). Kumsung Publishing. ISBN 978-89-07-05131-8.
  3. 이희진; 은예린 (2014-01-05). 그들은 어떻게 시대를 넘어 전설이 되었나: 자신과 역사의 운명을 가른 12가지 선택 (in Korean). 아름다운날. ISBN 978-89-93876-45-1.
  4. Kim, Tae-woong; Kim, Mun-sik (2010). Kyujanggak: Rediscovering Its History and Culture. Acanet. ISBN 978-89-5733-196-5.
  5. Wiwŏnhoe, Yunesŭk'o Han'guk (2003). Korean Literature: Its Classical Heritage and Modern Breakthroughs. Hollym. ISBN 978-1-56591-176-5.
  6. 이한우 (2013-09-30). 정조, 조선의 혼이 지다: 조선의 혼이 지다 (in Korean). 해냄출판사. ISBN 978-89-6574-098-8.
  7. 홍씨, 혜경궁 (2019-10-29). 한중록 (한국고전문학전집 003) (in Korean). 문학동네. ISBN 978-89-546-2821-1.
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