However, he was passed over for the Crown Prince's role in favour of his younger brother who would eventually take the throne and became King Gwanghae.
After investigated for crimes he committed against common people, he was sent into exile to Gyodong County after the Imjin War, then died in 1609.
As a result, he and his younger brother were raised by Seonjo's primary wife, Queen Uiin who was childless at this time.
During the start of the Imjin War in 1592 (25th year of the reign of King Seonjo), he lost his position as Crown Prince (왕세자; 王世子) due to his violent personality.
Based on "Gwanghaegun's Diary" (광해군일기), Yi Jeong-pyo (이정표) a soldier, who guarded him in the exile, was suspected to have forced him drink poison,[14][unreliable source?]
There was also a re-investigation in 1623 which concluded that he was murdered by an assassin sent by Yi Yi-cheom (이이첨), then reinstated under King Injo's command.