Injong of Goryeo (29 October 1109 – 10 April 1146) (r. 1122–1146) was the 17th
monarch
A monarch is a head of stateWebster's II New College DictionarMonarch Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority and power i ...
Yi Ja-gyeom
Yi Ja-gyeom (died 19 January 1127) of the Incheon Yi clan, was a Korean politician, soldier, regent, and poet in the middle Goryeo dynasty. In 1122, he became the Duke Hanyang (한양공, 漢陽公) and the Duke of Joseon State (조선국공, 朝 ...
. His reign saw two major internal crises that nearly ended the House of Wang, the collapse of the
Northern Song dynasty
Northern may refer to the following:
Geography
* North, a point in direction
* Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe
* Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States
* Northern Province, Sri Lanka
* Northern Range, a ...
, and the establishment of the Jin dynasty as the dominant power in the
East Asia
East Asia is the eastern region of Asia, which is defined in both Geography, geographical and culture, ethno-cultural terms. The modern State (polity), states of East Asia include China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. ...
.
Background
Domestic
Injong ascended the throne in accordance with the third of the
Ten Injunctions of Taejo
Ten, TEN or 10 may refer to:
* 10, an even natural number following 9 and preceding 11
* one of the years 10 BC, AD 10, 1910 and 2010
* October, the tenth month of the year
Places
* Mount Ten, in Vietnam
* Tongren Fenghuang Airport (IATA code ...
, as “the eldest legitimate royal issue." Despite the reverend status of this document, its succession rules were often disregarded. As recent as in 1095 Injong's grandfather King Sukjong came to power after abdication of his nephew. At the age of twelve and a half Injong's succession became possible largely due to the influence of his maternal grandfather
Yi Ja-gyeom
Yi Ja-gyeom (died 19 January 1127) of the Incheon Yi clan, was a Korean politician, soldier, regent, and poet in the middle Goryeo dynasty. In 1122, he became the Duke Hanyang (한양공, 漢陽公) and the Duke of Joseon State (조선국공, 朝 ...
, while according to the report of the
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
envoy Xu Jing, Injong's uncle Prince Po, supported by the
Han An-in
Han may refer to:
Ethnic groups
* Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group.
** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...
faction, "had designs on he throneE. J. Shultz, ''Twelfth-Century Koryŏ Politics: The Rise of Han Anin and His Partisans'', The Journal of Korean Studies 6, 3 (1988-89); available from https://www.jstor.org/stable/41490196
International
By the early 1122 the Khitan state of Liao was effectively destroyed by the armies of Taizu of Jin. Large number of Khitans fled to
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
. Operations of
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
against Khitan were unsuccessful, and the lost Song territories south of the
Great Wall
The Great Wall of China (, literally "ten thousand ''li'' wall") is a series of fortifications that were built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China as protection against various nomadic groups ...
were recovered only after the Jurchen victory over Liao. The 1123 treaty formalized the superior status of Jin: the annual tribute of Song was set to 200,000
Beijing
}
Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
) and its own military capabilities.A. D. Levine, ''The Reigns of Hui-tsung (1100–1126) and Ch'in-tsung (1126–1127) and the Fall of the Northern Sung'', in P. J. Smith (ed.), ''The Cambridge History of China'', vol. 5, Part One: ''The Sung Dynasty and Its Precursors, 907–1279'', (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1994), Ch. 7.
1122–1126: Yi Ja-gyeom years
1122–1123
The early years of Injong's reign were dominated by Yi Ja-gyeom.J. Kim, ''A history of Korea: from “Land of the Morning Calm" to states in conflict'', (Indiana University Press, Bloomington IN, 2012), pp. 155-157. As the Supreme Chancellor (''munha sijung'', junior first rank) at the head of combined Secretariat-Chancellery (''chungseo munha-seong'') Yi Ja-gyeom was the highest-ranking government official.J. B. Duncan, ''The Formation of the Central Aristocracy in Early Koryŏ'', Korean Studies 12, 39 (1988); available at https://www.jstor.org/stable/23717729 His dominance was challenged during the last years of Yejong, but with the beginning of his grandson's reign Yi Ja-gyeom took decisive steps to buttress it. By the end of 1122 Princes Po and Hye were exiled,
Han An-in
Han may refer to:
Ethnic groups
* Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group.
** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...
assassinated, and several hundred of his followers,H.-w. Kang, ''The development of the Korean ruling class from late Silla to early Koryo'', (PhD Thesis, University of Washington, 1964), pp. 280-289; available at http://hdl.handle.net/1773/11100 including a dozen core members of Tanju Han and Cheongan Im clans, were either banished or demoted.
During this period officers of the Royal Army began to play an important role in the domestic politics.
Through his career Yi Ja-gyeom cultivated ''muban'' military officials, that after 960 had a lower status and enjoyed less perquisites than their civilian ''munban'' counterparts. Two of his most important allies were Choe Hong-jae, a high civilian official of a military background, and a military commander Cheok Chun-gyeong.
With this power base Yi Ja-gyeom emerged as the most influential figure in the
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
politics. He became the Chief-Minister-Extraordinary in charge of all three chancelleries (''samseong''), while keeping the position of the head (superintendent, ''pansa'') of the Ministry of Personnel (''Yi-bu''). He was also created a Duke (''kong''). Nevertheless, his authority never became absolute: he had to take heed of other factions both in execution of policies he favored and in rooting out the opposition.
In foreign relations he was aligned with the Kyeongju Kim faction led by
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
and his brothers, advocating a submission to the newly established Jin. In 1123 the renewed Song offer of formal investiture was rejected. Jin stepped up the pressure on
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
by occupying
Uiju
Ŭiju County is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. The county has an area of 420 km², and a population of 110,018 (2008 data).
Name
Ŭiju appears as Uiju in South Korea's Revised Romanization and as Yizhou in Chinese ...
(Poju) area along the
Yalu river
The Yalu River, known by Koreans as the Amrok River or Amnok River, is a river on the border between North Korea and China. Together with the Tumen River to its east, and a small portion of Paektu Mountain, the Yalu forms the border between ...
; from their point of view it was a repair of the frontier defenses. After a suppression of unrest in
Balhae
Balhae ( ko, 발해, zh, c=渤海, p=Bóhǎi, russian: Бохай, translit=Bokhay, ), also rendered as Bohai, was a multi-ethnic kingdom whose land extends to what is today Northeast China, the Korean Peninsula and the Russian Far East. It ...
a secure North-Eastern frontier allowed Jin to focus on the
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
.
1124–1126
In early 1124 Choe Hong-jae and military officers associated with him plotted to overthrow Yi Ja-gyeom, but were unsuccessful. Choe and the associates were purged from their positions and exiled. Following the purge Yi married one of his daughters to Injong, and increasingly filled the mid- and high-ranking government positions with his loyalists, including his five sons. He and his faction profited from seized property of the purged officials.
The idea that
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
has to submit to Jin was still encountering resistance. The embassy dispatched in 1125 to
Emperor Taizong of Jin
Emperor Taizong of Jin (25 November 1075 – 9 February 1135), personal name Wuqimai, sinicised name Wanyan Sheng, was the second emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty of China. His era name was "Tianhui" (天會). During his reign, the Jin ...
was rejected by his officials because the correspondence it carried addressed the emperor improperly and did not use the term ‘servant' when referring to
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
. The question whether to accept that the mandate of the northern dynasty passed to Jin was debated through 1126. Eventually Kim and Yi convinced Injong and the reluctant officials to submit to Jin. By that time the Song were collapsing under Jin attack, Emperor Huizong abdicated, while a Goryeo embassy (that included
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
) had to return without being able to reach
Kaifeng
Kaifeng () is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, China. It is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China, having been the capital eight times in history, and is best known for having been the Chinese capital during the No ...
. The embassy to Jin sent in 1126 presented the submission of
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
in proper terms and brought up the matter of
Uiju
Ŭiju County is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. The county has an area of 420 km², and a population of 110,018 (2008 data).
Name
Ŭiju appears as Uiju in South Korea's Revised Romanization and as Yizhou in Chinese ...
.
Taizong
Taizong is the temple name used for several Chinese sovereign, monarchs of China. It may refer to:
* Tai Jia ( 16th-century BC), king of the Shang dynasty
* Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Heng (202 BC–157 BC, reigned 180 BC–157 BC), also known as E ...
transferred the disputed area to Goryeo.
It was reported that Yi Ja-gyeom intended to usurp the throne and eventually planned to poison the king. According to this report, there was a popular prophecy that a man of the ''sippal cha'', or eighteen child, an anagram on the character for the surname Yi, would become king and the transfer his court to the Southern Capital (Seoul), leading Goryeo to a renewed prosperity. Yi Ja-gyeom is alleged to believe in this prophecy, based on his family name and a location of the family seat in Incheon, close to
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 of ...
. Attempts of Yi to further aggrandize his station are a matter of the public record. He planned performance of ritual music at the tombs of his forefathers and celebration of his birthday as the anniversary of a king (''insujeol''). Both moves were opposed by
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
and his supporters.
A more serious challenge to the paramount position of Yi Ja-gyeom was a rising organized by two courtiers, Kim Chan and An Po-rin. Beyond the involvement of some twenty-five young courtiers, the plot had a confidence of Injong and a support of three senior military officers, including one commander and one deputy commander of two (out of six) regular army divisions. Several senior statesmen, such as Yi Kon-su, approved the plot in principle but advised caution. The group struck “one night in 1126". The plan involved gaining control of the palace and king's person as the first stage of the coup, followed by a strike against other key targets. The conspirators captured the palace and killed several of Yi Ja-gyeom loyalists, including the Minister of War (a brother of Cheok Chun-gyeong). However, the palace was surrounded by the troops of Cheok Chun-gyeong and armed monks led by Yi Ja-gyeom's son. The rest of Kaesong remained in the control of the Yi faction. To finish the stand-off Cheok Chun-gyeong ordered torching the palace (Yi Ja-gyeom's disapproval was on the record as sent to him). Most of the palace, including libraries and the Academy, burned down. “Countless" conspirators were killed. Injong offered to abdicate in favor of Yi Ja-gyeom, but the latter refused.
In the following government reshuffling Yi Ja-gyeom rewarded his loyalists. However, Yi Kon-su kept his senior position in the Secretariat-Chancellery, and two Kim brothers were actually promoted, with
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
becoming the Chief Censor. King Injong was living in Ja-gyeom's house and had married another of his daughters.
This triumph was, however, short-lived. Other aristocratic factions joined forces to bring Yi Ja-gyeom down. They fostered a disunity between Cheok and Yi, using the question of responsibility for violation of the sacred palace grounds as a bait. Involvement of Injong, Yi Kon-su and Kim Bu-il left traces in the official records. In the fifth month of 1126 Yi Ja-gyeom, his family and followers were arrested by the soldiers of Cheok Chun-gyeong. Yi was banished to
Jeolla
Jeolla Province (, ) was one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Kingdom of Joseon in today Southwestern Korea. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and Gwangju Metropolitan City as w ...
province and later beheaded. Banished officials — Choe Hong-jae, members of Tanju Han and Cheongan Im clans and their associates — were recalled and reinstated in their positions. In the sixth month of 1126 King Injong married a daughter of Im Weonae. Cheok Chun-gyeong was demoted and banished in 1127.
1127–1136: Reforms and Myo Cheong's rebellion
After the fall of Yi Ja-gyeom the government was dominated by Kyeongju Kim and Han An-in/ Cheongan Im clans. Provincial clans, particularly from the Western Capital (Seogeong, modern
Pyongyang
Pyongyang (, , ) is the capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is known as the "Capital of the Revolution". Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 populat ...
) area were important in toppling Yi Ja-gyeom and contended for a larger share in the decision-making. Paek Su-han, Cheong Chi-sang, a famous poet and
Confucian
Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or ...
scholar, and
Myo Cheong
Myocheong (Hangul: 묘청, Hanja: 妙淸) was an influential Buddhist monk and geomancer of the royal court of the Goryeo dynasty.
Myocheong's Rebellion
During the reign of King Injong of Goryeo, Myocheong argued that Goryeo had become weakened ...
geomancer
Geomancy (Greek: γεωμαντεία, "earth divination") is a method of divination that interprets markings on the ground or the patterns formed by tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand. The most prevalent form of divinatory geomancy inv ...
were prominent representatives of this faction. Myo Cheong appeared at the court in 1127 Breuker, Ch. 11, pp. 407-447 and officially became political adviser to Injong in 1128. It is possible that the
Pyongyang
Pyongyang (, , ) is the capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is known as the "Capital of the Revolution". Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 populat ...
group was used by the king to balance influence of the established aristocracy.
Already in 1127 Myo Cheong instigated a fifteen-point restoration rescript (''yusin chigyo'') of Injong. It included political reforms, called for austerity, and urged measures to restrict official exploitation of the peasantry. Educational reforms were part of the package and intended to strengthen the royal authority. Injong ordered that each ''chu'' (large districts) and ''hyeon'' (district) establish a school (to prepare to the civil service examinations), thus facilitating the access of local elites to positions in the central administration. Injong completed the reconstruction of the government school system by instituting the “six colleges" at the National Academy.
Myo Cheong had a reputation for sanctity and was a speaker “easily dazzled his listeners". His teachings were enjoying a growing popularity with the people and some members of the elite, including the king. Politically the Pyongyang faction was opposed by the Kyeongju Kim and Han An-in/Cheongan Im groups. Its supporters included Choe Hong-jae, an old foe of Han An-in faction, now a senior member of the Censorate, and Yun Oni, son of the famous general
Yun Gwan
Yun Gwan (윤관, 尹瓘; 12 July 1040 – 15 June 1111) was a general of Goryeo who was known for training the Byeolmuban and leading it to victory against the Jurchen tribes.
Family
* Grandfather
** Yun Geum-kang (윤금강, 尹金剛)
* ...
, influential
Confucian
Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or ...
scholar and a close ally of Cheong Chi-sang. Indeed, out of six senior censorial officials in 1133, two were supporters of Myo Cheong and only two steadfastly opposed him.
Myo Cheong provided a geomantic explanation of the recent disturbances in Kaesong and offered to cure the problem: since the geomantic forces around the Eastern Capital were waning, the court should move to the Western Capital, where the same forces were strong and “filled with vigour".Kim, p. 157 This ideas, while somewhat extreme in their forcefulness, were in line with the prevailing thinking at the time.
Ten Injunctions of Taejo
Ten, TEN or 10 may refer to:
* 10, an even natural number following 9 and preceding 11
* one of the years 10 BC, AD 10, 1910 and 2010
* October, the tenth month of the year
Places
* Mount Ten, in Vietnam
* Tongren Fenghuang Airport (IATA code ...
accepted geomantic considerations as an important factor influencing government policies and ascribed a particular significance to the Western Capital. Injong's edict of 1129 commanded construction of a palace (Great Flowering Palace, ''Taehwa-gung''), in
Pyongyang
Pyongyang (, , ) is the capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is known as the "Capital of the Revolution". Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 populat ...
to “revitalize our politics and ..forever bestow felicity upon the following generations". The palace was completed in 1132 and Injong began to spend extended periods of time there.
In foreign relations Injong's government, while admitting the superiority of Jin, aimed to preserve independence and trade interests of
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
. By 1127
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
Kaifeng
Kaifeng () is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, China. It is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China, having been the capital eight times in history, and is best known for having been the Chinese capital during the No ...
, and both Huizong, now retired, and the reigning emperor Qinzong were captured and exiled to
Manchuria
Manchuria is an exonym (derived from the endo demonym " Manchu") for a historical and geographic region in Northeast Asia encompassing the entirety of present-day Northeast China (Inner Manchuria) and parts of the Russian Far East (Outer M ...
. Not long afterwards
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
envoys tried to convince Goryeo officials to give them a direct overland access to the Jin and negotiate the release of the captured emperors. The request was denied at the insistence of
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
and his elder brother Kim Bu-il, while different sources record Choe Hong-jae as to be in favor of assisting the
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
or as opposed to it. The relations with the
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
were practically broken for the next few years: a request by Injong in 1129 to send an embassy was denied, while the embassy dispatched in 1132 was shipwrecked.
Goryeo traditionally provided a refuge for Jurchens that were at odds with the powers at home. During the first twenty years of the 11th century 6,846 Jurchen refugees were registered at Kaesong, compared with the average of 526 over two-decade periods of the previous one hundred years (and only 17 during 1081-1100). This policy continued under Injong, even if twice (in 1127 and 1130) the Jin used presence of the Jurchen refugees in Goryeo to pressure it into formal submission.
Pyongyang faction represented a more nativist and anti-Jurchen approach. Myo Cheong claimed that moving a capital to Seogeong (
Pyongyang
Pyongyang (, , ) is the capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is known as the "Capital of the Revolution". Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 populat ...
) would reinvigorate
Goryeo to the extent that thirty-six states, including Jin, would pay homage to it. He urged Injong to declare himself emperor, institute his own era name, and attack the "arrogant Jin". A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Injong by Cheong Chi-sang and Yun Oni. Aided by the indecision of Injong an uneasy equilibrium between the factions continued for several years.
Disappointed by the rate of reforms, insufficiently decisive stance against Jin, and alarmed by purges of some of it supporters, Myo Cheong rebelled in 1135. At the Western Capital the rebels declared a new state of Taewi (Great Accomplishment). The rebels were enthusiastically supported in the northwest, but most of Myo Cheong's supporters in Kaesong deserted him. It is still debated whether Myo Cheong was actually the principal driving force of the rebellion or just its figurehead.
Im Weonae, the king's father-in-law, on the news of the revolt, mobilized armies to protect Kaesong. Officials associated with Myo Cheong were prosecuted: some, like Cheong Chi-sang were executed, and many banished during 1135-1136. Several attempts were made to negotiate with the rebels. The situation became particularly threatening when the offers of military assistance came both from the Jin and
Southern Song
The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...
. Eventually
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
led a successful military campaign against the rebels. Myo Cheong was assassinated by his own army, and in early 1136 Pyongyang fell to the government forces. Yun Oni distinguished himself in action against the rebels, but was still banished by
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
as an associate of Cheong Chi-sang.
1137–1146
From the suppression of the
Myo Cheong
Myocheong (Hangul: 묘청, Hanja: 妙淸) was an influential Buddhist monk and geomancer of the royal court of the Goryeo dynasty.
Myocheong's Rebellion
During the reign of King Injong of Goryeo, Myocheong argued that Goryeo had become weakened ...
rebellion until his official retirement in 1142
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
was an unchallenged leader of the
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
government. From 1140 onwards the banished supporters of
Myo Cheong
Myocheong (Hangul: 묘청, Hanja: 妙淸) was an influential Buddhist monk and geomancer of the royal court of the Goryeo dynasty.
Myocheong's Rebellion
During the reign of King Injong of Goryeo, Myocheong argued that Goryeo had become weakened ...
began to be recalled.
By the early eleven forties the conflict of the
Southern Song
The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...
and the Jin reached an equilibrium that was formalized during the negotiates of 1141-1142. The
Southern Song
The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...
emperor recognized the suzerainty of Emperor Xizong of Jin, paying an annual tribute of 250,000 bolts of silk and
Goryo exchanges several embassies with the Jin, and in 1142 Injong was formally invested as its vassal.R. E. Breuker, ''Koryo as an Independent Realm: The Emperor's Clothes?'' Korean Studies 27, 48 (2003) DOI: 10.1353/ks.2005.0001
In 1143 Injong appointed fourteen local magistrates, making another step in bringing local administration under the central control. As a result of the reforms of Yejong and Injong about one third of
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
's 450 or so prefectures and counties were under a direct control of the central government.
In 1142, Injong ordered the compilation of the ''
Samguk Sagi
''Samguk Sagi'' (, ''History of the Three Kingdoms'') is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The ''Samguk Sagi'' is written in Classical Chinese, the written language of the literati of ancient Korea, ...
'', a chronicle of events in the
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms () from 220 to 280 AD was the tripartite division of China among the dynastic states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The Three Kingdoms period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and was followed by the West ...
and
Unified Silla
Unified Silla, or Late Silla (, ), is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, after 668 CE. In the 7th century, a Silla–Tang alliance conquered Baekje and the southern part of Goguryeo in the ...
. Using Chinese histories (particularly
Shiji
''Records of the Grand Historian'', also known by its Chinese name ''Shiji'', is a monumental history of China that is the first of China's 24 dynastic histories. The ''Records'' was written in the early 1st century by the ancient Chinese his ...
Kim Bu-sik
Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...
at the head of the fourteen-author team compiled the oldest extant source on
Korean history
The Lower Paleolithic era in the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria began roughly half a million years ago.
Christopher J. Norton, "The Current State of Korean Paleoanthropology", (2000), ''Journal of Human Evolution'', 38: 803–825.
The earliest ...
. It was submitted to Injong in late 1145 or early 1146.
Succession
Both Injong and Lady Im (Queen Gongye) are recorded as having misgivings about their oldest son Prince Hyeon. Both doubted his ability to rule and Queen Gongye preferred the second son Prince Kyeong as the next king.E. J. Shultz, ''Military Revolt in Koryŏ: The 1170 Coup d'État'', Korean Studies 3, 19 (1979); available at https://www.jstor.org/stable/23717825 Nevertheless, on Injong's death Prince Hyeon succeeded him as the 18th monarch of
Goryeo
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 unificat ...
.
Family
*Father:
Yejong of Goryeo
Yejong of Goryeo (11 February 1079 – 15 May 1122) (r. 1105–1122) was the 16th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was the eldest son of King Sukjong and Queen Myeongui, and succeeded to the throne upon his father's death. His reign is u ...
Yi Ja-gyeom
Yi Ja-gyeom (died 19 January 1127) of the Incheon Yi clan, was a Korean politician, soldier, regent, and poet in the middle Goryeo dynasty. In 1122, he became the Duke Hanyang (한양공, 漢陽公) and the Duke of Joseon State (조선국공, 朝 ...
Princess Yeonghwa
Princess is a regal rank and the feminine equivalent of prince (from Latin ''princeps'', meaning principal citizen). Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or for the daughter of a king or prince.
Princess as a subst ...
* Portrayed by Lee Sung-ho in the 2003-2004 KBS TV series ''
Age of Warriors
''Age of Warriors'' () is a South Korean historical television series. It aired on KBS1 from February 8, 2003, to August 15, 2004, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:45 ( KST) for 158 episodes. The series is set during the military rule over Goryeo ...