Background
She was a daughter of Kim Jo-sun (김조순, 1765–1832) of the Andong Kim clan. Her mother was a lady from the Sim clan (심씨).
She was a daughter of Kim Jo-sun (김조순, 1765–1832) of the Andong Kim clan. Her mother was a lady from the Sim clan (심씨).
She served as regent of of Korea from 1834–1841 and from 1849–1852. Her husband died in 1834, and she became regent for her eight-year-old grandson, King Heonjong. Political power in the kingdom remained in the hands of her family, the Andong Kim clan.
In 1840, power passed to the family of the monarch"s mother, the Pungyang Jo clan, following the Catholic persecution of 1839.
Queen Sunwon died at Changdeok Palace on 21 September 1857. She was posthumously honored as "Empress Sunwonsuk" (순원숙황후).
Queen Sunwon bore King Sunjo of Joseon five children, including his eldest (and only surviving) son:
Crown Prince Hyomyeong (효명세자, 1809–1830)
Princess Myeongon (명온공주, 1810–1832)
Princess Bokon (복온공주, 1818–1828)
An unknown Prince (1820–?)
Princess Deokon (덕온공주, 1828–1844).