Myeongjong of Goryeo

King Myeongjong (8 November 1131 – 3 December 1202) (r. 1170–1197) was monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the third son of King Injong.

Myeongjong of Goryeo
Hangul
명종
Hanja
明宗
Revised RomanizationMyeongjong
McCune–ReischauerMyŏngjong
Birth name
Hangul
왕호
Hanja
王晧
Revised RomanizationWang Ho
McCune–ReischauerWang Ho
Monarchs of Korea Goryeo
  1. Taejo 918–943
  2. Hyejong 943–945
  3. Jeongjong (定宗) 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 (靖宗) 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 1259–1269
  25. Yeongjong1269
  26. Wonjong 1269–1274
  27. Chungnyeol 1274–1308
  28. Chungseon 1308–1313
  29. Chungsuk 1313–1330
    1332–1339
  30. Chunghye 1330–1332
    1339–1344
  31. Chungmok 1344–1348
  32. Chungjeong 1348–1351
  33. Gongmin 1351–1374
  34. U 1374–1388
  35. Chang 1388–1389
  36. Gongyang 1389–1392

Although it was intended that Injong's second son should succeed his father,[1] he was assassinated because Jeong Jung-bu feared that he might become a threat to him in the future. Myeongjong was a weak king, and was merely on the throne to show the general populace they still had a king, 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 (General 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, King Sinjong, was placed on the throne.

Family
  • Father: King Injong of Goryeo (29 October 1109 – 10 April 1146) (고려 인종)
    • Grandfather: King Yejong of Goryeo (11 February 1079 – 15 May 1122) (고려 예종)
    • Grandmother: Queen Sundeok of the Incheon Lee clan (? – 5 September 1118) (순덕왕후 이씨)
  • Mother: Queen Gongye of the Jangheung Im clan (7 September 1109 – 1183) (공예왕후 임씨)
    • Grandfather: Im Won-Hu (1089 – 1156) (임원후)

Consorts:

  1. Queen Uijeong of the Kaesong Wang clan (의정왕후 왕씨)
    1. King Gangjong of Goryeo (10 May 1152 – 26 August 1213) (고려 강종)
    2. Princess Yeonhee (연희궁주)
    3. Princess Suan (? – June 1199) (수안궁주)

Notes and references
  1. 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.
  • 명종 (in Korean). Doosan Encyclopedia.

See also
Preceded by
Uijong		 King of Goryeo
1170–1197		 Succeeded by
Sinjong
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