Seongjong of Goryeo

Seongjong of Goryeo
Hangul 성종
Hanja 成宗
Revised Romanization Seongjong
McCune–Reischauer Sŏngjong

Seongjong of Goryeo (960–997; r. 981–997) was the sixth monarch of the medieval Korean kingdom Goryeo. He was the second son of Daejong, and a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He ascended the throne after Gyeongjong stepped down.

Seongjong set out to reform the Goryeo state and establish it as a centralised monarchy on a firmly Confucian foundation. In 983, he established the system of twelve mok, the administrative divisions which prevailed for most of the rest of the Goryeo period. He also sent learned men to each of the mok to oversee local education. This was intended particularly as a way to integrate the country aristocracy into the new bureaucratic system.

Monarchs of Korea
Goryeo
  1. Taejo 918–943
  2. Hyejong 943–945
  3. Jeongjong 945–949
  4. Gwangjong 949–975
  5. Gyeongjong 975–981
  6. Seongjong 981–997
  7. Mokjong 997–1009
  8. Hyeonjong 1009–1031
  9. Deokjong 1031–1034
  10. Jeongjong 1034–1046
  11. Munjong 1046–1083
  12. Sunjong 1083
  13. Seonjong 1083–1094
  14. Heonjong 1094–1095
  15. Sukjong 1095–1105
  16. Yejong 1105–1122
  17. Injong 1122–1146
  18. Uijong 1146–1170
  19. Myeongjong 1170–1197
  20. Sinjong 1197–1204
  21. Huijong 1204–1211
  22. Gangjong 1211–1213
  23. Gojong 1213–1259
  24. Wonjong 1259–1274
  25. Chungnyeol 1274–1308
  26. Chungseon 1308–1313
  27. Chungsuk 1313–1330
    1332–1339
  28. Chunghye 1330–1332
    1339–1344
  29. Chungmok 1344–1348
  30. Chungjeong 1348–1351
  31. Gongmin 1351–1374
  32. U 1374–1388
  33. Chang 1388–1389
  34. Gongyang 1389–1392

In 993, the Khitan invaded Goryeo's northwest border with 60,000 troops. Minister Seo Hui volunteered to negotiate directly with Khitan general Xiao Sunning. Minister Seo Hui obtained Khitan consent to allow the region up to the Yalu River to be incorporated into Goryeo territory. Seo Hui's brilliant diplomatic maneuver underscored his correct understanding of both the contemporary international situation and Goryeo's position in the region.

The Khitan withdrew and ceded territory to the east of the Yalu River when Goryeo agreed to end its alliance with Song Dynasty. However, Goryeo continued to communicate with Song, having strengthened its position by building fortress in the newly gained northern territories.

See also

References

Preceded by
Gyeongjong		 Rulers of Korea
(Goryeo Dynasty)
981–997		 Succeeded by
Mokjong