The Research of the crown prince So-Hyeon's death cause

소현세자(昭顯世子)의 사인(死因)에 관한 고찰(考察)

  • Kim, Hoon (Dept. of Oriental Medical History, college of Oriental Medicine, Dong-Eui University)
  • 김훈 (동의대학교 한의과대학 의사학교실)
  • Published : 2006.08.31

Abstract

Many historians presume that several kings included the crown prince were killed by poison in the Jo-Soon dynasty. Above all, there is every possibility of killing the crown prince So-Hyoon(昭顯) by poison. The crown prince So-Hyeon was detained for 8 years in Sim-Yang(瀋陽). He died suddenly in two month from coming home. According to an authentic record, official death causes were malaria. But there is little possibility that a young crown prince die of malaria at the age of 34. His dead body shows change of skin color and bleeding from the ear, eye, mouth, and nose. This is the sufficient evidence that he was killed by poison. King In-Jo have a doubt that he was ousted from his post by crown prince So-Hyeon in conspiracy with cheong imperial court. Especially, after the crown prince So-Hyeon's death, owing to cold attitude that king In-Jo shows and a tragic affair that occurred to the crown prince's family, king In-Jo is under suspicion as the mastermind of the murder. Another poisoners are Jo-So Yong(趙昭容) and Lee-Hyeong Ik(李聲益). Jo-So Yong, a royal harem, intrigue against the couple of crown prince So-Hyoon. Lee-Hyeong Ik that win king In-Jo's favor take charge of the medical treatment. We supposed that toxic substance is arsenic poison.

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