Gongyang of Goryeo (9 March 1345 – 17 May 1394) was the 34th and final ruler of the

Goryeo Dynasty Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificati ...

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

. He was the descendant of Duke Yangyang, brother of King Huijong. He was deposed by

Yi Seong-gye Taejo of Joseon (4 November 1335 – 27 June 1408), born Yi Seong-gye (), was the founder and first ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. After ascending to the throne, he changed his name to Yi Dan (), and reigned from 1392 to 1398. He was ...

, who then established the new

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

Biography

Background and early life

He was born as the second and youngest son of Wang Gyun, 6th-generation descendant of King Sinjong from his youngest son, Duke Yangyang. His mother was Princess Boknyeong, a great-granddaughter of King Chungnyeol. He had an older brother, Wang U, Prince Jeongyang. Due to this, the future King had the Goryeo royal family's bloods from both of paternal and maternal line. At a young age, he was honoured as Prince Jeongchang (정창군, 定昌君) and then married the daughter of No Chaek, Internal Prince Changseong from the Gyoha No clan. His niece, Lady Kang, married

as his second wife.

Reign

Although he did everything to prove that he had no political ambitions, Yi Seong-gye's faction used him as a bloodless propaganda tool. In 1389, Yi's supporters forced King Chang from the throne and enthroned King Gongyang in his stead. This faction went on to oversee the events of King Gongyang's brief reign, including the assassinations of

King U U of Goryeo (25 July 1365 – 31 December 1389) ruled Goryeo (Korea) as the 32nd king from 1374 until 1388. He was the only son of King Gongmin. Cultural background In the thirteenth century, Mongol forces had invaded China and established the ...

and King Chang. After the murder of

Jeong Mong-ju Jeong Mong-ju (Korean: 정몽주, Hanja: 鄭夢周, January 13, 1338 – April 26, 1392), also known by his pen name Poeun (Korean: 포은), a historical figure during the transition period of the Korean dynasty moving from Goryeo (918-1392) to ...

, the last major supporter of the Goryeo kings, King Gongyang was deposed in 1392 by Yi Seong-gye, his son (

Yi Bang-won Taejong of Joseon (13 June 1367 – 8 June 1422), personal name Yi Bang-won (Korean: 이방원; Hanja: 李芳遠), was the third ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great. Before ascending to the throne, he wa ...

Jeong Do-jeon Jeong Dojeon (Korean: 정도전, Hanja: 鄭道傳, 1342 – October 6, 1398), also known by his pen name Sambong (Korean: 삼봉), was a prominent Korean scholar-official during the late Goryeo to the early Joseon periods. He served as the first ...

and others, which brought the Goryeo dynasty to an end.

Life after deposition

The former king was exiled at first to

Wonju Wonju () is the most populous city in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The city is located approximately east of Seoul. Wonju was the site of three crucial battles during the Korean War. Geography Wonju sits at the southwestern corner of Gangw ...

and given title of Prince Gongyang (공양군, 恭讓君), but was then moved to

Samcheok Samcheok () is a city in Gangwon-do, South Korea. History Ancient age & Three Kingdom * It was called "Siljikguk or Siljikgokguk" * 102 under the rule of Silla ( Pasa 23rd) * 468 under the rule of Goguryeo (Jangsu 56th) * 505 The name changed t ...

where he got assassinated in 1394 alongside his son, Crown Prince Wang Seok in Gungchon Village. In 1416,

King Taejong Taejong of Joseon (13 June 1367 – 8 June 1422), personal name Yi Bang-won ( Korean: 이방원; Hanja: 李芳遠), was the third ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great. Before ascending to the throne, he ...

honoured Goryeo's last king as King Gongyang (공양왕, 恭讓王) and sent an envoy to check out his tomb.

Family

Parents *Father: Wang Gyun, Internal Prince Jeongwon (정원부원군 왕균) **Grandfather: Wang Yu, Marquess Sunhwa (순화후 왕유; d.1360) **Grandmother: Consort Myeongye of the Mahan State, of the Shin clan (마한국명예비 신씨) *Mother: Grand Consort Wang of Samhan State (삼한국대비 왕씨) **Grandfather: Wang Hun, Grand Prince Yeondeok (연덕부원대군 왕훈 ) **Grandmother: Consort Ahn, of the Jo clan (안의비 조씨) Consorts and their respective issue(s): * Royal Consort Sun of the Gyoha No clan (순비 노씨; d. 1394) ** Crown Prince Wang Seok (세자 왕석; d. 1394) **

Princess Suknyeong Princess Suknyeong (Hangul: 숙녕옹주, Hanja: 淑寧翁主; 1649 — 1666 or 1668) was a Korean Joseon Dynasty Princess, and the only daughter of King Hyojong of Joseon and Royal Noble Consort An. Biography Early life The Princess was b ...

(숙녕궁주) ** Princess Jeongsin (정신궁주) **

Princess Gyeonghwa Bayankhutag ( mn, Баян хутаг; xng, ᠪᠠᠶᠠᠨᠺᠣᠲᠣᠭ; ), more commonly known by her Korean royal title as Princess Gyeonghwa (; d. 24 July 1344) was a Mongolian imperial family member who became a Korean royal consort as t ...

(경화궁주) **Prince Wang (왕자 왕씨; d. 1394?)There were debated about this unnamed son: **According to ''

Goryeosa The ''Goryeosa'' (), or ''History of Goryeo'', is the main surviving historical record of Korea's Goryeo dynasty. It was composed nearly a century after the fall of Goryeo, during the reign of King Sejong, undergoing repeated revisions between ...

'' Biographies vol. 91, it was recorded that King Gongyang just had 1 son, Wang Seok. *But, based on '' Taejo Sillok'' vol. 5, it was said that King Gongyang had 2 sons whom they two were killed in 1394 under King Taejo's command. **Prince Wang An (왕자 왕안;d.1416)

Ancestry

In popular culture

*Portrayed by Kim Jin-hae in the 1983 KBS TV series ''

Foundation of the Kingdom ''Foundation of the Kingdom'' () is a 1983 South Korean historical television series. It aired on KBS1 from January 2, 1983 to December 18, 1983. The series revolves around the fall of Goryeo and the foundation of Joseon. Cast Kingdom of Goryeo ...

''. *Portrayed by Kim Woong-chul in the 1983 MBC TV series ''

The King of Chudong Palace ''The King of Chudong Palace'' () is a 1983 South Korean historical television series, the first installment of the drama series ''500 Years of Joseon Dynasty'' by director Lee Byung-hoon and writer Shin Bong-seung. It aired on MBC from March 3 ...

''. *Portrayed by Kim Young-sun in the 1996–1998 KBS TV series ''

Tears of the Dragon "Tears of the Dragon" is the first single from Bruce Dickinson's second solo album, '' Balls to Picasso'', released on 28 May 1994. Allmusic called "Tears of the Dragon" a "magnificent" track, "by far the album's best song". Track listing C ...

''. *Portrayed by Kim Byung-choon in the 2012–2013 SBS TV series ''

The Great Seer ''The Great Seer'' (, also known as ''The Great Geomancer'') is a 2012 South Korean historical television series, starring Ji Sung, Ji Jin-hee, Song Chang-eui, Kim So-yeon and Lee Yoon-ji. Set during the turbulent decline of Goryeo, it is about ...

''. *Portrayed by Nam Sung-jin in the 2014 KBS TV series ''

''. *Portrayed by Lee Do-yup in the 2015–2016 SBS TV series ''

Six Flying Dragons ''Six Flying Dragons'' () is a South Korean television series starring Yoo Ah-in, Kim Myung-min, Shin Se-kyung, Byun Yo-han, Yoon Kyun-sang and Chun Ho-jin. It aired on SBS on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 for 50 episodes beginning on Octobe ...

''. *Portrayed by Park Hyung-joon in the 2021

KBS1 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...

TV series ''

The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won ''The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won'' () is a South Korean television series starring Joo Sang-wook in the title role. With this series, KBS is reviving the historical drama series after 5 years, as the last KBS historical series ''Jang Yeong-si ...

''.

References

* {{Authority control 1345 births 1394 deaths Executed Korean people 14th-century Korean monarchs People executed by hanging Korean Buddhist monarchs