Grand Prince Neungwon (Hangul: 능원대군, Hanja: 綾原大君; 15 May 1598 - 26 January 1656), personal name Yi Bo (Hangul: 이보, Hanja: 李俌) was a Korean Politician in the Late Joseon dynasty. He was also a Korean Royal Prince as the second son of Wonjong of Joseon and Queen Inheon of the Neungseong Gu clan. He was the younger brother of Injo of Joseon.
Biography
Early life
The future Grand Prince Neungwon was born on 15 May 1598 (31st year reign of Seonjo of Joseon) in Seongcheon, Pyeongan-do, Kingdom of Joseon as the second son of Prince Jeongwon (정원군, 定遠君) and Princess Consort Yeonju of the Neungseong Gu clan (연주군부인, 連珠郡夫人) during the Late Imjin War periods (임진왜란). Since child, he was spent a brief childhood in Pyeongyang-si, Pyeongan-do and grew up in his father's private residence in Hanseong-bu.
Meanwhile, later in 1608 (41st year reign of his grandfather, Seonjo of Joseon), at 11 years old, Bo was adopted as his 1st uncle, Prince Uian (의안군)'s son. However, Prince Uian at 12 years old and later, in 1601, Bo was given royal title Master Neungwon (능원수, 綾原守) at first and later changed into Prince Neungwon (능원군) in 1608.
During Gwanghaegun of Joseon's reign
In 1608 (Gwanghaegun's ascension to the throne), immediately after Yu Yeong-Gyeong (유영경)'s death in prison, the Prince become of Jeongunwonjonggongsin rank 1 (정운원종공신 1등). Later, in 1613 (5th year reign of Gwanghaegun), after Prince Imhae (임해군) was imprisoned, he became Iksawonjonggongsin rank 1 (익사원종공신 1등). However, 4 years later in 1617 (10th year reign of Gwanghaegun), he was participated in the discussion on the abolition of Dowager Queen Inmok (인목대비) as the senior person in the palace. Other bureaucrats whom participated in these discussion were punished, but he wasn't got punished.
During Injo of Joseon's reign
Later, on 13 March 1623, his big brother, Prince Neungyang (능양군) make a rebellion and then ascended the throne. However, when their youngest brother, Prince Neungchang (능창군) was exiled to Gyo-dong on charges of treason in 1615 (7th year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon), he was immediately killed and died in there. Heard if the youngest brother was death, their father, Wonjong was so heartbroken over this and while drinking the alcohol, he died on 2 February 1619 (11st year reign of Gwanghaegun of Joseon) at 40 years old.
Then, on 22 December in the same year, Neungwon became an officer in Sodeokdaebu (소덕대부). However, in March 1625 (Injo's 3rd year reign), a man named Jeong Yeong-Sin (정영신), the servant of Neungwon's adopted father was beaten and got killed.
At this time, there were some ministers accused him, but Injo only believed the words of the servants who betrayed him and didn't conducted the investigation fairly, instead ordered the ministers to left. Afterwards, both of Yun Sun-Ji (윤순지) and Gim-Yu (김유) were filed an appeal for fear that the state's words would be blocked and Injo then apologized for being too excessive.
However, on 28 November 1625 (Injo's 3rd year reign), when his mother, Lady Gyewoon (계운궁, 啓運宮) became critically ill, Injo specially offered Hyeollokdaebu (현록대부) to Neungwon in order to comfort his biological mother. Later, when their mother died on 10 February 1626, Neungwon become the resident instead of Injo. Numerous ministers argued that Neungwon, who had already been adopted by Prince Uian, couldn't be Lady Gyewoon's resident, but Injo didn't grant permission and refused it. After that, Neungwon must faced a difficult life because he was being dismissed from the office and must divorced from his wife, Lady Yu (유씨) because her father was failed in conspiracy to make Prince Inseong (인성군), the first son of Seonjo of Joseon and Royal Noble Consort Jeong of the Yeoheung Min clan as the new King to succeed Gwanghae in the throne, so King Injo demanded him to divorced from her. At first, he refused this, but later removed her title and demoted to just be his concubine (첩, 妾). Although that, she can still able to lived in his home.
Meanwhile, when Injo concerned about his small house, Injo fell wrong with this and gave him a special palace in Yihyeon (이현, 梨峴), Hanseong-bu as his house. Later, on 17 September 1628 (Injo's 5th year reign), Neungwon became Somuwonjonggongsin rank 1 (소무원종공신 1등).