Sukjong of Goryeo

Sukjong of Goryeo
Hangul 숙종
Hanja 肅宗
Revised Romanization Sukjong
McCune–Reischauer Sukchong
Birth name
Hangul 왕희 later 왕옹
Hanja 王熙 later 王顒
Revised Romanization Wang Hui later Wang Ong
McCune–Reischauer Wang Hŭi later Wang Ong
Courtesy name
Hangul 천상
Hanja 天常
Revised Romanization Cheonsang
McCune–Reischauer Ch'ŏnsang
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 II 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

Sukjong of Goryeo (2 September 1054 – 10 November 1105) (r. 1095–1105) was the 15th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the younger brother of Sunjong. He married Myeongui, the daughter of Yu Hong.

Sukjong rose to the throne in 1095 upon the abdication of his young nephew, Heonjong. He oversaw various internal innovations, including the distribution of the country's first brass coins (in 1102) and the construction of the new Southern Capital (Namgyeong, present-day Seoul).

However, he was also faced by threats from without, most notably an 1104 invasion by the northern Jurchen tribes. Unable to repel the Jurchens by force, he sent his general Yun Gwan to raise an army and repulse them. This army is known as Byeolmuban and consisted of three separate divisions. Sukjong died the following year, while on the way to the Western Capital, Pyongyang. Challenges of Sukjong's reign can be summarized in his own words:[1]

Since I was entrusted with the affairs of the state, I have always endeavoured to cautiously maintain diplomatic ties with Liao in the north and serve the Song in the south, while these days the Jurchen in the east have become enemies to be reckoned with. Making the people comfortable is the first imperative of military and political affairs, so all unnecessary corvée duties must be abolished in order for the people to live comfortably!

He was succeeded by his son Yejong.


See also

References

  1. ↑ R. E. Breuker, Establishing a Pluralist Society in Medieval Korea, 918–1170: History, Ideology and Identity in the Koryŏ Dynasty, (Brill, Leiden, 2010), p.252
Sukjong of Goryeo
Born: 2 September 1054 Died: 10 November 1105
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Heonjong		 King of Korea
Goryeo
1095–1105 		Succeeded by
Yejong
Korean royalty
New creation Marquis of Gyerim
1065–1077 		Succeeded by
Himself
as Duke of Gyerim
Preceded by
Himself
as Marquis of Gyerim		 Duke of Gyerim
1077–1095 		Merged in the Crown