Goryeo (918-1392) - 34 kings

When Silla was swaying, Gungye emerged rebellion and gained the territory north of the Han river. But he was soon overthrown by Wanggeon, who named his small kingdom Goryeo. General Wanggeon became the first ruler of the Goryeo Dynasty and established his capital in Gaeseong. Goryeo accepted Buddhism and the temples received special court protection. Goryeo faced with incessant harassment from northern tribes such as the Tartars and Mongols.

In the 13th Century Mongol hordes invaded Korea. In 1270 a peace treaty was imposed fifty years after the first Mongol invasion. Also during the 13th Century one of Korea's greatest cultural achievements was undertaken. While in exile on Ganghwa Island, king Gojong had the Tripitaka carved on wood blocks, a project which had earlier been undertaken was destroyed. This was to be done as a pious gesture to secure divine favor against the Mongol invaders. These 81,258 wood blocks took 16 years to complete. In ceramics, Goryeo potters achieved an excellent and unique greenish-blue glaze.   World's first movable metal type was invented in the 14th Century. Goryeo had a close relationship with Sung dynasty.

The central government patterned after that of China was headed by three top organs; the Royal Chancellery, which was the king's council involved in policy making. the Royal Secretariat, which drafted royal degrees and transmitted them, and the Secretariat of State Affairs, an executive branch which consisted of six ministries of Personnel, Military Affairs, Revenue, Punishment, Rites, and Public Works.

The legacy of the Golden Age of Buddhism of Silla was carried over to the Goryeo period, and Buddhism became Buddhism for protection of the nation. The greatest cultural achievement of Goryeo was in ceramic art. The potters of Goryeo improved the technology of pottery making that was imported from Sung China. Wide-shaped celadon ware was produced for various purposes. Printing was highly developed during Goryeo period.

1) Taejo (918-943)
Yung's son. His father, Yung who was the magistrate in Gaeseong, surrendered to Gungye in 895. Taejo helped Gungye and conquered Silla castles in the north. His victory over Gyeonhwon and Silla won the fame from the people. He then was recommended as the king in 918, when Gungye was increasingly outrageous in his later days. Named the kingdom Goryeo, short of Goguryeo and the name from which the modern word Korea is derived. Establish his capital in Gaesung.  Buddhism was accepted as the state religion. Accepted Silla's last king   Kyeongsun-wang and peacefully annexed in 935. Later Baekje fell in 936, thus unifying the latter three kingdoms.

2) Hyejong (943-945)
First son of Taejo. He helped his father in the war against Latter Baekje.

3) Jeongjong (945-949)
Second son of Taejo. Constructed Pyeongyang Castle in 947.

4) Gwangjong (949-975)
Third son of Taejo. Released slaves. Encouraged Buddhism. Gwageo, a civil examination for appointment of public officials was first instituted.

5) Gyeongjong (975-981)
First son of Gwangjong . Enacted land law and salary were given to all the court officials by the land in accordance with their ranks .   He had two wives of the sisters, Heonae and Heonjong. He spent most of the days with wine and women in his later days.

6) Seongjong (981-997)
Grandson of Taejo. Accepted Confucianism from China and made its teaching the ruling guideline.   Establish three ministries and six departments. He divided the country in ten administrative provinces.   Iron coins were minted. General Seohi defeated Khitans.

7) Mokjong (997-1009)
First son of Gyeongjong. In 998 Fuel-land law was modified as the stipend land law and land grants were made to the officials. Encouraged the learning. As the king had no successor, his mother and her family, in order to have her own family member on the throne, plotted  to eliminate king's uncle Sun who was supposed to be a king after Mokjong. The plot ended with assassination of Mokjong and plotters including the king's mother. General Gangjo enthroned Sun.

8) Hyeonjong (1009-1031)
Son-in-law of Seongjong, and the son of Gyeongjong's second wife Heonjong, but different father. He was sent   to the   temple at   twelve by his aunt, Mokjong's mother. She plotted to eliminate her sister's son. But, Gangjo ruled out the conspiracy and Hyeongjong became the eighth ruler of the kingdom. Silsangsa  pagoda was erected. Khitan king Seongjong invaded in 1009 with his 400,000 troops on the pretext of king's assassination. In the following invasion in 1018, general Gang Gamchan annihilated 100,000 Khitan   troops at Chongchon River . Restored diplomatic tie with Khitan in 1019. Began engraving Tripitaka Koreana and completed 6,000 blocks.

9) Deokjong (1031-1034)
First son of Hyeonjong. Constructed the castle across the peninsula. Khitan's invasion continued.   Compiled chronicle.

10) Jeongjong (1034-1046)
Second son of Hyeonjong. Readjusted the stipend land law. Completed the fortress and he put more emphasis on national defense.   Khitan invaded in 1037. Complied books on ethic and moral code. Establish hereditary kingship of eldest son system.

11) Munjong (1046-1083)
Third son of Hyeonjong. Took the throne after his brother. Buddhism was encouraged and flourished. His son, Hu, entered the priesthood and became the famous priest Uichon. The kingdom's golden age in social system, trade, folk art, craft, religion, literature and learning. Modified stipend land law, and managed by state. Heunghwangsa temple, the largest Buddhist temple ever built in Korea in 1067. Confucianism was also encouraged, and many private schools were opened.

12) Sunjong (1083)
First son of Munjong. Crown prince at seven. Succeed the throne, but died in the same year.

13) Seonjong (1083-1094)
Buddhist Sect, Cheontaejong was flourished. Built Gugjeongsa headquarter temple of Cheontaejong. Hyonmyotap stupa was erected. Died of disease.

14) Heongjong (1094-1095)
Son of Seonjong. Ascend the throne at the age of twelve. He abdicated the throne to his uncle as he was sick. Died at fourteen.

15) Sukjong (1095-1105)
Third son of Munjong. Copper coins were minted, and later in 1101 silver coins.

16) Yejong (1105-1122)
Son of Sukjong. Constructed nice castles in the north eastern coastal plain. Encouraged education and learning.

17) Injong (1122-1146)
First son of Yejong. Ascend the throne at fifteen. Rebellions frequented. Kim Busik compiled Chronicles of Three the Kingdoms in 1145.

18) Uijong (1146-1170)
First son of Injong. Honored Civil officers, but despised Military officers. Dethroned by military officer, Jeong Jungbu. In 1173, Kim Bodang and his aides tried restoration of the throne, but failed and exiled to Gyeongju.

19) Myeongjong (1170-1197)
Third son of Injong. Jeong Jungbu led a military coup d'etat and dethroned Uijong and put a new king on the throne in 1170, exhibiting power with his private guards unit. Many civil officers were   massacred. An attempt made to restore the deposed king failed, bringing more bloodshed. Social disorder followed and rebellions against the Military tyranny continued. In 1172 bloodshed peasant uprisings for the heavy taxation and political oppression. And in 1182 uprising in Gongju area, in 1193 Milyang uprising alone, some 7000 rebels were killed. A power struggle developed among Jeong's men. Jeong Jungbu was became the victim of his own men in 1179. A military officer who had replaced the man who murdered Jung was also assassinated in 1197 by Choi Chungheon. Now the power goes to Choi's house. Choi Chungheon eliminated all the challengers including his own brother and a nephew. The king was dethroned by Choi Chungheon, who had a power over the king, and exiled to Ganghwado in1197. Thus Choi's tyranny began and lasted until 1213 when they deposed two kings in 1213.

20) Sinjong (1197-1204)
Fifth son of Injong. Enthroned by Choi Chungheon, but he was a puppet king. Rebellion led by Manjeok took place in 1197 followed by uprisings in Myeongju, Gimhae, Hapcheon, Gyeongju and Gwangju . He abdicated the throne to his son.

21) Huijong (1204-1211)
First son of Sinjong. Choi Chungheon's despotism and tyranny continued. Choi Chungheon could save his life from   the   plot   in 1211. He exiled the king to Gangwhodo island who later spent his days in the islands of Yeongjongdo and Gyodong. The king returned to Seoul in 1219, and was again exiled to Gyodong island and died there in 1237.

22) Gangjong (1211-1213)
First son of Myeongjong. He went into exile with this father Myeongjong at the age of forty six.  He was summoned in 1210, and enthroned next year by Choi Chungheon.

23) Gojong (1213-1259)
First son of Gangjong. Choi Chungheon was still behind the throne. Goryeo refused to meet various demands of Mongols, including large annual tributes. Mongol envoy to Goryeo was killed in 1225 on the way back from his mission. Mongol launched their first invasion in 1231. Government moved to Gangwhado Island, where the king struggled for 28 years against Mongols. Hwangyongsa temple including the 9- storied wooden pagoda was totally burned down. Peace treaty was singed and Goryeo became the vassal state of Yuan.   The civil officers who favored making peace with the Mongols were able to assassinate the last Choi dictator in 1258. In 1236 began to engrave a complete set of Tripitaka Koreana with a hope to expel  the  Mongols with Buddha's divine help, and completed in 1251. Removable metal type was invented in 1232. King's sovereignty restored on Choi's death in 1258.

24) Wonjong (1259-1274)
First son of Gojong . He visited Yuan in 1259 for a peace talk. He was dethroned in 1269 by Limyeon, a court officer who eliminated Choi, the second power after Choi Chungheon . But, soon restored by Yuan's claim. In 1270 under the leadership of Bae Jungson, they establish a new government with a royal kinsman named Wangeon a king, and brought about what is known as the rebellion of the Three Elite Patrols, Sambyolcho when the king capitulated to the Mongols. The rebels moved to Jeju island to strengthen their position, but ended by allied forces of Yuan in 1273.

25) Chungnyeol-wang (1274-1308)
First son of Wonjong. Married to a Mongol princess in 1271. Returned home on his father's death, and succeeded the throne. Two military expeditions to Japan were made on Yuan's demand both in 1271 and 1280, but failed by typhoon. In 1280 the Monglos establish the Eastern Expedition Field Headquarters in Goryeo for the second invasion of Japan . Mongol rebel leader, Haptan, invaded in 1290. The king took refuge in Gangwhado Island for two years. The King transferred the throne to his son and stayed in Yuan. The king was fed up with politics with Yuan's excessive intervention on domestic affairs. He, on hearing that a privy seal was stolen, hurriedly returned home and took throne again after 7 months absence. Monk Ilyon compiled Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms. He did not care about the politics, and spent his later days in hunting and entertainment. From 1274, Mongol strongly influenced Goryeo court, and Goryeo kings h ad monarchical titles meaning they were loyal to Mongol empire. They also took Mongol names, do Mongol style hairdos, and wore Mongole costumes until 1351.

26) Chungseon-wang (1298, 1308-1313)
Son of Chungyeol-wang. Married to a Mongol princess. He strengthened the royal authority by killing despotic 40 court officials including eunuchs in 1297, when the king already lost his interest in politics. With this, he became king in 1298. He confiscated the land from the court officials and gave it to poor nationals. Revised the tax law. Expand national academy and establish the institute for teaching classics and history. He was more progressive and independent from Yuan. The trouble with his wife worsened the ties with Yuan, and finally his privy seal was taken by the Yuan envoy. Chungyeol-wang replaced the throne. He was called in by Mongolia and dethroned by Yuan.   In 1305, Yuan king   Seongjong died and power struggle began. He helped Mujong, who later became the king of Yuan, and eliminated the rivals. His title of Simyang-wang was given in 1308. In the same year, he ascended the throne after his father. Political reforms were made. Banned inter-family marriage and salt monopoly by the temples and high ranking court officials. Establish royal library called the hall of ten thousand volumes. Neo-Confucianism of Chu Hsi was introduced. Later he went to Yuan after assigning his uncle for the throne. In 1313, he transferred the throne to his son. He was once exiled to Turpan for 3 years in 1320 for the trouble with Yuan eunuch. Died in Mongolia in 1325.

27) Chungsuk-wang (1313-1330, 1332-1339)
Second son of Chungseon-wang. Married to a Mongol princess. Stayed in Yuan after transferring his   throne to   his   son,   Chunghye-wang. Yuan dethroned him for his rudeness. He returned and took the throne again in 1332. He was against Yuan and claimed to reduce tax and tribute, and stop taking Goryeo eunuchs and girls. He later did not care about t he politics and spent his days in wine and entertainment.

28) Chunghye-wang (1330-1332, 1339-1344)
Son of Chungsuk-wang. Married to a Mongol princess. Stayed in Yuan as a hostage in 1328. Returned home in 1330 and ascended the throne. But, he was indulged in wine and party. Thus, privy seal was taken by Yuan and the throne went to his father Chungseok-wang.   His libertine life continued in Mongolia. On his father's death, he returned home and ascended the throne. Wealthy yet valuable tributes were sent to Yuan in exchange for the seal. Yuan exiled the king to Shantung province of China for his despotic rule in 1343.

29) Chungmok-wang (1344-1348)
Son of Chunghye-wang. Ascended the throne at eight. Much of the land returned to the original owners. Complied the chronicles of Chungyeol-wang, Chungwon-wang and Chunghye-wang. Marble pagoda   (Gyeongcheonsastap), which is now designated as national treasure 89, was erected. Now He had no successor.

30) Chungjeong-wang (1348-1351)
Illegitimate son of Chunghye-wang. Yuan enthroned him when he was twelve. Japanese pirate frequented in the southern coast. The court was in the hand of his maternal family. Court official's claim was accepted by Yuan and finally the king was dethroned in 1351. Exiled in Gangwhado and was killed in 1352 after king Gongmin-wang took power.

31) Gongmin-wang (1351-1374)
Second son of Chungsuk-wang. Married to a Mongol princess. He launched national recovery and abolished Yuan liaison organ purging the pro-Yuan faction and restored the government structure.   Recovered northern territory and Jeju Island . Banned Yuan culture including Yuan hairdo and dress in 1352.   Buseoksa temple was rebuilt. Ming replaced Yuan in 1368. Priest Sindon was adopted at the court by the king, and his reform included releasing slaves and returning the land to the original owners. Chinese red turbans bandits invaded In 1359 and 1361. The political controversy developed within the Goryeo court as the Mongols and the Chinese created a crisis that signaled the end of the dynastic rule of the Wang clan. On his queen's death, the king left the politics by leaving the throne to Sindon , and concentrated on Buddhism. Sindon tried to move the capital to Cheongju , but lost king's favor. He then plotted to eliminate Gongmin-wang, but exiled to Suwon and was assassinated in 1371. The king was also assassinated by his subject. Cotton was first introduced from China in 1362 , and cotton was cultivated and the production of cotton cloth began. In 1370 gunpowder was invented and it let to the production of firearms.

32) U-wang (1374-1388)
Illegitimate son of Gongmin. Gongmin-wang had a son with a maid of Sindon . Ascend the throne at ten after king was assassinated. After his regent's death, he became libertine. His general Lee Seonggye, who later became the founder of Yi dynasty or Choseon, claiming that the king is not a royal descendent but Sindon's son, exiled him to Gangwhado, in 1388. He was killed in Gangnung, and his son Chang-wang in Gangwhaodo in 1389 by Lee Seonggye.

33) Chang-wang (1388-1389)
Son of U-wang. Ascend the throne at nine by the court officials' claim, when his father was exiled to Gangwha Island.

34) Gongyang-wang (1389-1392)
The last king of Goryeo. Two parties of pro-Yuan and pro-Ming rivaled in the court. Pro-Ming Lee Seonggye enthroned Chang-wang. But, soon dethroned him for his plot and enthroned an irresolute Gongyang-wang. He was supported by Jeong Mongju, who was an eminent scholar, but he became a puppet king after his loyal courtier Jeong Mongju was killed by Lee Seonggye's son. Lee Seonggye dethroned Gongyang -wang for his foolishness and lack of virtue. Then he was sent out to Wonju, and two years later in 1394 was killed in Samcheok. Thus Goryeo ended in 475 years.