King Yeongjo and the Tangpyeongchaek Reform

King Yeongjo, Joseon's longest-reigning monarch, ruled for nearly 52 years and focused on stabilizing royal authority and state administration. He introduced the Tangpyeongchaek (Policy of Impartiality) to mitigate destructive factional strife by balancing political appointments. Yeongjo enacted the Gyunyeok Law to halve commoners' military tax burdens and promoted administrative and legal reforms. His reign was marred by the 1728 Yi In-ja Rebellion and the tragic 1762 execution of his son, Crown Prince Sado, whom he sealed in a rice chest.

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