Wonjong of Goryeo (5 April 1219 – 23 July 1274), personal name Wang Chŏng, was the 24th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea, reigning from 1260 to 1274. His rule was briefly interrupted by that of King Yeongjong in 1269, although the legitimacy of the latter is disputed by scholars.

Wonjong of Goryeo
고려 원종
高麗 元宗
King of Goryeo
First reign1260–1269
Coronation1260
PredecessorGojong of Goryeo
SuccessorYeongjong of Goryeo
Second reign1269–1274
Coronation1269
PredecessorYeongjong of Goryeo
SuccessorChungnyeol of Goryeo
King Emeritus of Goryeo
Reign1269–1269 (five months)
Coronation1269
PredecessorPosition established
SuccessorKing Emeritus Wang Sim
BornWang Jeon
5 April 1219
Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Died23 July 1274 (1274-07-24) (aged 55)
Jesang Palace, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Burial
Soreung (소릉, 韶陵)
Spouse
(m. 1235; died 1237)
(m. 1244⁠–⁠1274)
Issue
Posthumous name
Great King Sunhyo
(순효대왕, 順孝大王; given by Goryeo dynasty)
King Chunggyeong
(충경왕, 忠敬王; given by Yuan dynasty in 1310)
Temple name
Wonjong (원종, 元宗)
HouseWang
DynastyGoryeo
FatherGojong of Goryeo
MotherQueen Anhye
ReligionBuddhism
Korean name
Hangul
원종
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWonjong
McCune–ReischauerWŏnjong
Birth name
Hangul
왕전, 왕식, later 왕정
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWang Jeon, Wang Sik, later Wang Jeong
McCune–ReischauerWang Chŏn, Wang Sik, later Wang Chŏng
Courtesy name
Hangul
일신
Hanja
Revised RomanizationIlsin
McCune–ReischauerIlsin
Posthumous name
Hangul
순효대왕
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSunhyo Daewang
McCune–ReischauerSunhyo Taewang

Biography edit

His father, Gojong of Goryeo, sent Wonjong when he was the Crown Prince, to meet with Kublai Khan to negotiate with the Mongols after decades of warfare during the Mongol invasions of Korea. During this time, Kublai was in the middle of a power struggle with Ariq Böke whom was residing in Karakorum while Kublai himself was participating in the Chinese Campaign. Having the Goryeo crown prince come before him to concede after decades of fighting, Kublai Khan was jubilant and said "Goryeo is a country that long ago even Tang Taizong personally campaigned against but was unable to defeat. But now, its crown prince has come before me, and this be the will of heaven as it is!"[1][2][3]

Reign edit

He ascended the throne with the help of Kublai Khan.[4] During his reign, Goryeo became a vassal of the Mongol-founded Yuan dynasty in China.[5]

In 1269, the military leader Im Yon engineered a coup d'état to remove Wonjong. Kublai Khan dispatched 3,000 troops to oust the forces of the rebel. Wonjong visited the imperial court in 1271 after his re-accession.

Wonjong was the eldest son of the previous king, Gojong.

Family edit

  1. Queen Jeongsun of the Gyeongju Gim clan (정순왕후 김씨; 1222–1237)
    1. Crown Prince Wang Geo (태자 왕거)
    2. Unnamed Princess (공주)
  2. Princess Gyeongchang of the Yu clan (경창궁주 유씨); seventh cousin once removed.
    1. Wang Yi, Marquess Siyang (왕이 시양후)
    2. Wang Jong, Marquess Sunan (왕종 순안후)
    3. Princess Gyeongan (경안궁주)
    4. Princess Hamnyeong (함녕궁주)
  3. Unknown, from a Palace maid (궁인)
    1. Wang Ik-jang (왕익장)

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ 이기환 (2014-03-17). 최강의 몽골제국군도 무서워했던…. 이기환 기자의 흔적의 역사. Kyunghyang Shinmun. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  2. ^ 김운회 (3 January 2014). <기황후>가 왜곡한 고려와 원나라의 결혼동맹. Pressian (in Korean). Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  3. ^ 중국 남방 행재소에서 몽고 황제가 왕을 후대하다. 한국사데이터베이스. National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  4. ^ 김, 나성 (September 10, 2016). "[역사저널 그날] 쿠빌라이와 원종의 만남, 고려의 운명을 바꾸다". Medical World News. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  5. ^ 김, 나성 (September 10, 2016). "[역사저널 그날] 쿠빌라이와 원종의 만남, 고려의 운명을 바꾸다". Medical World News. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
Wonjong of Goryeo
Born: 5 April 1219 Died: 23 July 1274
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Goryeo
1260–1269
Succeeded by
Preceded by King of Goryeo
1269–1274
Succeeded by