Munju of Baekje
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| Munju of Baekje | |
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| Hangul: | 문주왕 |
| Hanja: | 文周王 |
| Revised Romanization: | Munju-wang |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Munju-wang |
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Munju of Baekje (?-477, r. 475-477) was the 22nd king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His reign saw considerable disunity within Baekje following the fall of its capital in present-day Seoul.
[edit] Background
He was the first king to rule Baekje from its new capital in Ungjin, present-day Gongju, after the Han River valley was lost to Goguryeo. He ascended to the throne after his father’s death in the sack of the former Baekje capital at Hanseong.
Prior to 475, Munju served as chief minister (Sangjwapyeong) under his father, Gaero. In the Goguryeo assault of 475, he went to Silla to request help. According to the Samguk Sagi, he returned with 10,000 Silla warriors but was too late to prevent the fall of the capital.
[edit] Reign
After the move of the capital, Baekje power structure fell into chaos as the traditional Buyeo-descended aristocracy clashed with the local Mahan-based clans. Rivalry even within the old aristoracy, suppressed by previous powerful kings, resurfaced.
He sought to refortify Baekje’s remaining defenses and strengthen the country's position against Goguryeo. He was successful in 476 in gaining suzerainty over the kingdom of Tamna on Jeju island.
In the midst of this instability, the chief general Hae Gu took control of the military, and, after the death of Munju's son (Samgeun's younger brother) Gonji in 477, exercised effective rule over the country.
That year, Munju was murdered by an agent of Hae Gu.
