Volta
Politics1721 – 1722

Sinim Purges

Under King Gyeongjong, the Noron and Soron clashed over naming his brother (the future Yeongjo) heir and regent; the Soron drove out and executed the four Noron ministers and others.

Gyeongjong, who succeeded Sukjong, was frail and had no son. In 1721 (the sinchuk year) the Noron had his younger brother Prince Yeoning (later Yeongjo) named royal heir and then pressed for him to act as regent, but Soron opposition reversed the regency and Noron ministers were dismissed. The next year (imin), Mok Ho-ryong’s charge that the Noron had plotted against the king led to the execution of the four Noron ministers — Kim Chang-jip, Yi I-myeong, Yi Geon-myeong and Jo Tae-chae — and the persecution of many more.

The two years’ purges are called the Sinim purges. When the Noron regained power after Yeongjo’s accession, Soron hardliners launched the Yi In-jwa rebellion (1728).

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States and rulers at the time
Joseon — Gyeongjong

People

  • Gyeongjong1688 – 1724

    monarch · Twentieth king of Joseon, son of Sukjong and Royal Consort Jang, backed by the Soron; he died after four years and was succeeded by his half-brother Yeongjo

  • Yeongjo1694 – 1776

    related figure · Twenty-first king of Joseon, known for his impartiality policy and tax reform, and for the death of his son

Before and after

Earlier
1712 Baekdusan boundary stele
Later
1728 Yi In-jwa’s Rebellion

Themes that include this event

  • Factional Politics in Joseon1498 – 1863

    From the literati purges to in-law government — how Sarim factions moved from coexistence and checks to purges and one-faction rule, then through Tangpyeong to the dominance of a few clans