Queen Cheorin (27 April 1837 – 12 June 1878), of the

Andong Kim clan {{unreferenced, date=December 2014 The Andong Kim clan (Hangul: 안동 김씨, Hanja: 安東金氏) refers to two Korean clans. They were prominent yangban families during Korea's Joseon Dynasty originating from Andong, North Gyeongsang provinc ...

, was queen consort of

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

by marriage to King Cheoljong. She was known as Queen Dowager Myeongsun (명순대비) after the death of her husband and during King Gojong’s reign. When King Gojong proclaimed the

Korean Empire The Korean Empire () was a Korean monarchical state proclaimed in October 1897 by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. The empire stood until Japan's annexation of Korea in August 1910. During the Korean Empire, Emperor Gojong oversaw the Gwa ...

, the Queen was posthumously given the title of “Cheorin, the Symbolic Empress” (철인장황후, 哲仁章皇后).

Biography

Early life and marriage

Lady Kim was born into the (new) Andong Kim clan (Hangul: 신 안동 김씨; Hanja: 新安東金氏) on 27 April 1837 as the eldest daughter of Kim Mun-geun (Hangul: 김문근; Hanja: 金汶根) and his second wife, Lady Min of the

Yeoheung Min clan The Yeoheung Min clan () is a Korean clan that traces its origin to Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. The 2015 Korean Census counted 167,124 members of the Yeoheung Min clan. Origin The Yeoheung Min clan's progenitor was Min Ching-do (민칭도, 閔� ...

. She had one younger brother. Lady Kim was not usually close to her parents or family, was known to be a woman of a few words, and did not easily reveal her feelings to those around her. As part of the Andong Kim clan's manipulation of King Cheoljong through

Queen Sunwon Queen Sunwon (순원왕후; 8 June 1789 – 21 September 1857), of the Andong Kim clan was the queen consort and wife of Sunjo of Joseon. She was known as Queen Dowager Myeonggyeong (명경왕대비) after her husband's death in 1834. She served ...

, the 14-year-old Lady Kim married the 20-year-old King Cheoljong on November 17, 1851. As queen, it’s said that she wasn’t involved and did not side with her family in royal politics as she kept to herself. As the parents of the Queen consort, Lady Min received the royal title of “Internal Princess Consort Heungyang of the

” (Hangul: 흥양부부인 여흥 민씨; Hanja: 興陽府夫人驪興閔氏). While her father received the royal title of “Internal Prince Yeongeun” (Hangul: 영은부원군, Hanja: 永恩府院君). Her father’s first wife, Lady Yi, also received the royal title of “Internal Princess Consort Yeonyang of the Yeonan Yi clan” (연양부부인 연안 이씨, 延陽府夫人延安金氏) as she was also considered the mother of Lady Kim. The Queen eventually gave birth to a son, Prince Royal Yi Yung-jun on 22 November 1858, but he died 6 months and 3 days later on 25 May 1859. As Cheoljong fell deeper under his illness, the Grand Royal Queen Dowager Sinjeong saw an opportunity to advance the cause of the

Pungyang Jo clan The Pungyang Jo clan () is a Korean clan that traces its origin to Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. According to the 2015 Korean census, the clan has 124,262 members. Origin Jo Maeng (조맹, 趙孟), who was also known by the name of Ba-woo or Bau ...

(the only true rival of the Andong Kim clan).

Life as queen dowager and later life

The 33-year-old King Cheoljong died on 16 January 1864 within Daejojeon Hall in

Changdeok Palace Changdeokgung (Hangul: 창덕궁, Hanja: 昌德宮; literally, "The Palace of Prospering Virtue"), also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five G ...

. The cause of his death is ambiguous, as there was no clear official record about it. Some suggested that the death of cause of Cheoljong could be

liver disease Liver disease, or hepatic disease, is any of many diseases of the liver. If long-lasting it is termed chronic liver disease. Although the diseases differ in detail, liver diseases often have features in common. Signs and symptoms Some of the sig ...

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in ...

; according to existing documents, however, it is still hard to give a certain conclusion to date. According to ''

Ilseongnok ''Ilseongnok'' or ''Diary of Self-examination'' is a daily record of events at court made in order that the monarch might reflect upon them, ostensibly towards bettering government. ''Ilseongnok'' began as King Jeongjo's personal diary for self-r ...

'' ("Diary of Self-examination"), since Cheoljong ascended to the throne, he had a weak

digestive system The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs of digestion (the tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder). Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and smaller compone ...

, causing a series of

chronic disease A chronic condition is a health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects or a disease that comes with time. The term ''chronic'' is often applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three mo ...

throughout his life; Cheoljong also had symptoms of

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...

and caught cold quite easily. Thus leaving the throne vacant and in need of an heir. The selection of the next king was in the hands of three dowagers: Queen Dowager Hyoyu, the widow of

Crown Prince Hyomyeong Crown Prince Hyomyeong (18 September 1809 – 25 June 1830), born Yi Yeong, and posthumously honored as King Munjo, was a member of the Joseon Dynasty. Life and death The prince was the eldest son of King Sunjo, husband of Queen Sinjeong and ...

and mother of King Heonjong, Queen Dowager Myeongheon, the widow of King Heonjong, and Queen Dowager Myeongsun, King Cheoljong's wife.Cumings, Bruce. Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2005. Queen Dowager Hyoyu was approached by Yi Ha-eung, a descendant of

King Injo Injo of Joseon (7 December 1595 – 17 June 1649), born Yi Jong, was the sixteenth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the grandson of King Seonjo and son of Prince Jeongwon. He was the king during the Later Jin invasion of Joseon, ...

(r. 1623–1649), whose father was made an adoptive son of

Prince Eunsin Prince Eunsin (; 11 January 1755 – 29 March 1771), personal name Yi Jin (), was a Korean prince, as the fourth son of Crown Prince Sado, and his concubine, Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Buan Im clan. He later become the heir of Prince Yeoll ...

, a nephew of

King Yeongjo Yeongjo of Joseon (31 October 1694 – 22 April 1776), personal name Yi Geum (Korean: 이금, Hanja: 李昑), was the 21st monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of King Sukjong, by his concubine Royal Noble Consort Suk ...

(r. 1724–1776). Yi Ha-eung's family branch belonged to an obscure line of descent of the Jeonju Yi clan, which had survived the often deadly political intrigue that frequently embroiled the Joseon court by forming no affiliations. Yi Ha-eung himself was ineligible for the throne due to a law that dictated that any possible heir had to be part of the generation after the most recent incumbent of the throne, but his second son Yi Myeong-bok (future

Emperor Gojong Gojong (; 8 September 1852 – 21 January 1919) was the monarch of Korea from 1864 to 1907. He reigned as the last King of Joseon from 1864 to 1897, and as the first Emperor of Korea from 1897 until his forced abdication in 1907. He is known ...

), was a possible successor. The Pungyang Jo clan saw that Yi Myeong-bok was only twelve years old and would not be able to rule in his own name until he came of age, and that they could easily influence Yi Ha-eung, who would be acting as regent for the future King. As soon as news of Cheoljong's death reached Yi Ha-eung through his intricate network of spies, he and the Pungyang Jo clan took the royal seal – an object that was considered necessary for a legitimate reign to take place and aristocratic recognition to be received – effectively giving

Queen Sinjeong Queen Sinjeong (Hangul: 신정왕후, Hanja: 神貞王后; 21 January 1809 – 4 June 1890), also known as Queen Dowager Hyoyu (효유왕대비), of the Pungyang Jo clan, was the only wife of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and mother of Heonjong of Joseo ...

absolute power to select the successor to the throne. By the time Cheoljong's death had become a known fact, the Andong Kim clan was powerless according to the law. On 16 January 1864, Yi Myeong-bok was appointed as Prince Ikseong by Grand Queen Dowager Sinjeong, and the next day, his father was granted the title of Grand Internal Prince (''Daewongun).'' A few days later on January 21st, Yi Myeong-bok was enthroned as King Gojong, and Dowager Queen Sinjeong began her regency.Choe Ching Young. The Rule of the Taewŏn’gun, 1864-1873: Restoration in Yi Korea. Cambridge, Mass.: East Asian Research Center, Harvard University, 1972. Since Gojong was 12 years old, Queen Sinjeong invited the Daewongun to assist his son in ruling. She virtually renounced her right to be regent, and though she kept the title, the Daewongun was in fact the true ruler. The Queen Dowager Myeongsun had a futile 14-year reign as the Grand Internal Prince drove out and exterminated the Andong Kim clan’s power, and soon after the power of the Pungyang Jo clan. She later died on 12 June 1878 within Yanghwa Hall in Changgyeong Palace, and is buried in Yereung,

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

, with her husband.

Family

* Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Saeng-hae (김생해, 金生海) * Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Geuk-hyo (김극효, 金克孝) (16 September 1542 - 3 February 1618) * Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother ** Lady Jeong of the Dongnae Jeong clan (동래 정씨) * Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Sang-gwan (김상관, 金尙觀) * Great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Gwang-chan (김광찬, 金光燦) (1597 - 24 February 1668) * Great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother ** Lady Kim of the Yeonan Kim clan (연안 김씨) * Great-great-great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Su-hang (김수항, 金壽恒) (1629 - 9 April 1689) * Great-great-great-great-great-grandmother ** Lady Na of the Anjeong Na clan (안정 나씨) * Great-great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Chang-jib (김창집, 金昌集) (1648 - 2 May 1722) *** Adoptive Great-great-great-great-grandfather – Kim Chang-hyeob (김창협, 金昌協) (21 February 1651 - 30 May 1708) * Great-great-great-great-grandmother ** Lady Park (박씨) *** Adoptive Great-great-great-great-grandmother – Lady Yi of the

Yeonan Yi clan The Yeonan Yi clan () is one of the Korean clans. Their Bon-gwan is in Yeonan County, North Korea. According to the census held in 2015, the number of Yeonan Yi clan’s member was 164,036. Their founder was . It is did that around 660, he became ...

(연안 이씨); daughter of Yi Dan-sang (이단상, 李端相) * Great-great-great-grandfather ** Kim Je-gyeom (김제겸, 金濟謙) *** Adoptive Great-great-great-grandfather – Kim Sung-gyeom (김숭겸, 金崇謙) (28 November 1682 - 30 November 1700) *** Adoptive Great-great-great-grandmother – Lady Park (박씨) (21 May 1682 - 31 January 1733); daughter of Park Gwon (박권, 朴權) * Great-great-grandfather ** Kim Won-haeng (김원행, 金元行) (14 February 1703 - 5 August 1772) * Great-grandfather ** Kim Yi-jik (김이직, 金履直) * Grandfather ** Kim In-sun (김인순, 金麟淳) * Grandmother ** Lady Shin (정부인 신씨, 貞夫人申氏), Kim In-sun’s third wife; daughter of Shin Il-sik (신일식, 申日式) * Father ** Kim Mun-geun (김문근, 金汶根) (25 November 1801 - 6 November 1863) *** Uncle: Kim Su-geun (김수근, 金洙根) (1798 - 1854) *** Aunt: Lady Jo of the

(정부인 풍양 조씨, 貞夫人豐壤趙氏); daughter of Jo Jin-taek (조진택, 趙鎭宅) **** Cousin: Kim Byeong-hak (김병학, 金炳學) (1821 - 1879); adoptive son of Kim Jun-geun (김준근, 金浚根) ***** Cousin-in-law: Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨) ***** Cousin-in-law: Lady Yun of the Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨) ***** Cousin-in-law: Lady Yi of the Seongju Yi clan (성주 이씨) ****** Adoptive first cousin: Kim Seung-gyun (김승규, 金昇圭); son of Kim Byeong-yu (김병유, 金炳儒) **** Cousin: Kim Byeong-guk (김병국, 金炳國) (1825 - 1905) ***** Unnamed cousin-in-law ****** Adoptive first cousin: Kim Jeong-gyun (김정균, 金貞均); son of Kim Byeong-mun (김병문, 金炳聞) * Mother ** Biological: Internal Princess Consort Heungyang of the

(흥양부부인 여흥 민씨, 興陽府夫人驪興閔氏) (? - 1872); Kim Mun-geun's second wife *** Grandfather: Min Mu-hyeon (민무현, 閔懋鉉) ** Step: Internal Princess Consort Yeonyang of the

(연양부부인 연안 이씨, 延陽府夫人延安金氏) (1799 - 1824) Sibling(s): * Younger brother: Kim Byeong-pil (김병필, 金炳弼) (1839 - 1870) ** Nephew: Kim Heung-gyu (김흥규, 金興圭) *** Grandnephew: Kim Yong-jin (김용진, 金容鎭); adopted by Kim Jeong-gyu (김정규) Husband: * King Cheoljeong of Joseon (25 July 1831 - 16 January 1864) ** Father-in-law: Yi Gwang, Grand Internal Prince Jeongye (전계대원군 이광, 全溪大院君李㼅) (29 April 1785 - 14 December 1841) *** Legal father-in-law:

King Sunjo of Joseon Sunjo of Joseon (29 July 1790 – 13 December 1834, reigned 1800–1834) was the 23rd king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. Sunjo was the 2nd son of King Jeongjo with Royal Noble Consort Su, one of King Jeongjo's concubines. Biography He ...

(순조, 純祖) (29 July 1790 - 13 December 1834) ** Mother-in-law: Grand Internal Princess Consort Yongseong of the Yongdam Eom clan (용성부대부인 염씨, 龍城府大夫人廉氏) (20 July 1793 - March 1834) *** Legal mother-in-law: Queen Sunwon of the Andong Kim clan (순원왕후 김씨) (8 June 1789 - 21 September 1857) Issue: * Son: Prince Royal Yi Yung-jun (원자 융준, 元子隆俊) (22 November 1858 - 25 May 1859)

Titles

* 27 April 1837 – 12 June 1878: Lady Kim, daughter of Kim Mun-geun of the Andong Kim clan #Lady Kim (안동 김씨, 安東金氏) #Kim Mun-geun's daughter (김문근의 딸, 金汶根之女) *17 November 1851 – 16 January 1864: The Queen Consort of

(조선 왕비, 朝鮮王妃) * 16 January 1864 – 26 March 1866: The

Queen dowager A queen dowager or dowager queen (compare: princess dowager or dowager princess) is a title or status generally held by the widow of a king. In the case of the widow of an emperor, the title of empress dowager is used. Its full meaning is clear ...

(조선 대비, 朝鮮大妃) * 26 March 1866 – 12 June 1878: Queen Dowager Myeongsun (명순 대비, 明純大妃)

Posthumous title

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

**Full formal title: Queen Myeongsun Hwiseong Jeong'won Suryeong Gyeongheon Jangmok Cheorin of Joseon (명순휘성정원수령경헌장목철인왕후; 明純徽聖正元粹寧敬獻莊穆哲仁王后) **Short informal title: Queen Cheorin (철인왕후; 哲仁王后) *

**Full formal title: Empress Myeongsun Hwiseong Jeong'won Suryeong Gyeongheon Jangmok Cheorin JangIbid. 순종실록 2권, 1908년 7월 30일 1번째기사 (Ibid. Annals of Emperor Sunjong, vol. 2, 30 July 1908, entry 1)
/ref> of the Korean Empire (명순휘성정원수령경헌장목철인장황후; 明純徽聖正元粹寧敬獻莊穆哲仁章皇后) **Short informal title: Empress Cheorin Jang (철인장황후; 哲仁章皇后)

Popular culture

* Portrayed by Jo Nam-gyeong in the 1982

KBS1 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...

TV series ''Wind and Cloud'' *Portrayed by Chae Yoo-mi in the 1990 MBC TV series ''Daewongun'' *Portrayed by Yoo Hye-yeong in the 2001-2002 KBS TV series ''

Empress Myeongseong Empress Myeongseong or Empress Myungsung (명성황후 민씨; 17 November 1851 – 8 October 1895In lunar calendar, the Empress was born on 25 September 1851 and died on 20 August 1895), informally known as Empress Min, was the official wife ...

'' *Portrayed by

Shin Hye-sun Shin Hye-sun (born 31 August 1989) is a South Korean actress. She made her debut in the television series ''School 2013''. In 2017, Shin played her first leading role and became well known in the weekend drama, ''My Golden Life'', which garnere ...

in the 2020

tvN TVN may refer to: * TVN (Australian TV channel), a former horse racing channel * Televisión Nacional de Chile, a public broadcaster * TVN (Indonesia), a former television station; predecessor of Rajawali Televisi * TVN (Norway), or TVNorge, a comm ...

TV series '' Mr. Queen''.

References

External links

* http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/korea_heads.htm {{DEFAULTSORT:Cheorin, Queen 19th-century Korean people 1837 births 1878 deaths Gim clan of Andong Royal consorts of the Joseon dynasty Korean queens consort 19th-century Korean women Korean posthumous empresses