King Yeongjo was the 21st king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. He ruled from 1724 to 1776. He was the second son of King Sukjong, and succeeded his older brother King Gyeongjong.
King Yeongjo was the first to take action against Roman Catholic activities in the country. By the 18th century, Catholicism was beginning to acquire a following especially in the Gangwon and Hwanghae provinces. In 1758, Yeongjo officially outlawed Catholicism as an evil practice.
Yeongjo died in 1778. He was buried in the dynastic tombs at Donggureung.
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