Letsie III vs Sunjo of Joseon

Letsie III became King of Lesotho on February 7, 1996, following the death of his father, King Moshoeshoe II. His role is largely ceremonial under the constitution.

Letsie III went into exile in South Africa during the 1998 political crisis in Lesotho, following disputed elections and a military mutiny. He returned after SADC intervention restored order.

Letsie III mediated between Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing during a political crisis. He helped broker a deal that led to early elections in 2015.

Letsie III opened the new parliamentary session in March 2015 after the general election. He called for national unity and economic development in his speech from the throne.

After Jeongjo's death, the Andong Kim clan, led by Queen Sunwon's family, seized power. They purged reformist officials and controlled the young King Sunjo. This marked the beginning of in-law family rule (sedo politics) that lasted for decades.

Sunjo's government launched a severe persecution of Catholics, executing hundreds of converts and foreign missionaries. This was part of a broader crackdown on Western ideas. The persecution strengthened Joseon's isolationist policy.

A peasant rebellion led by Hong Gyeong-rae broke out in Pyeongan Province, protesting heavy taxes and corruption. The rebellion lasted several months and was suppressed by the government. It exposed the weaknesses of the Joseon administration under in-law rule.