Myeongjong of Goryeo
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| Myeongjong of Goryeo | |
|---|---|
| Hangul: | 명종 |
| Hanja: | 明宗 |
| Revised Romanization: | Myeongjong |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Myŏngjong |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul: | 왕호 |
| Hanja: | 王晧 |
| Revised Romanization: | Wang Ho |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Wang Ho |
King Myeongjong (1131-1202, r. 1170–1197) was monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the third son of Emperor Injong.
Although it was intended that Injong's second son should succeed his father*, he was assassinated because Jeong Jung-bu feared that he might become a threat to him in the future. Myeongjong was a weak emperor, and was merely on the throne to show the general populace they still had a emperor, as the true rulers were the military leaders. His reign saw constant bloodshed as well as the deaths of the rebels Chung Jung-bu, Yi Ui-Bang, and Yi Ui-Min (not related to Yi Ui-Bang) but also the hero, Gyeong Dae-Seung (Gyeong was in fact the most loyal of the military leaders. Yet Myeongjong hated and mistrusted him because of his popularity with the populace).
After twenty-seven years on the throne, he was sent into exile by the military ruler of the time, Choe Chung-heon, and Injong's fifth son, Emperor Sinjong, was placed on the throne.
*It was said that when Injong was choosing an heir, he preferred his second son for his keen insight and wisdom; however, his older brother came to power, and banished him out of jeolousy.
