Mokjong of Goryeo
고려 목종
高麗 穆宗
King of Goryeo
Reign997–1009
Coronation997
Gaegyeong, Goryeo
PredecessorSeongjong of Goryeo
SuccessorHyeonjong of Goryeo
BornWang Song
5 July 980
Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Died2 March 1009 (aged 28)
Jeokseong-hyeon, Gaeseong-bu, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Burial
Gongneung (공릉, 恭陵) → Uireung (의릉, 義陵)
Queen ConsortQueen Seonjeong
ConcubineLady Yoseok
Posthumous name
Great King Hyosa Wihye Geukyeong Jeonggong Seonyang
효사위혜극영정공선양대왕
(孝思威惠克英定恭宣讓大王)
Temple name
Minjong (민종, 愍宗) → Mokjong (목종, 穆宗)
HouseWang
DynastyGoryeo
FatherGyeongjong of Goryeo
MotherQueen Heonae
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationMokjong
McCune–ReischauerMokjong
Birth name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWang Song
McCune–ReischauerWang Song
Courtesy name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHyosin
McCune–ReischauerHy'osin
Posthumous name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSeonyang Daewang
McCune–ReischauerSŏn'yang Taewang

Mokjong of Goryeo (5 July 980 – 2 March 1009), personal name Wang Song, was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.

Reign

Born as Wang Song, Mokjong was the only son of King Gyeongjong; however, when his father died, he was too young to become king, so it was his uncle, prince Gaeryeong Wang Chi, who succeeded to the throne as King Seongjong.[1] Mokjong eventually became king after his uncle's death in 997 and chose his mother, Queen Honae, as regent.[1]

Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa (land-allotment system) as well as his various efforts to reorganize the military system and rebuild Pyongyang's castle to strengthen Goryeo's northern defenses early in his reign.[2] He is also remembered for a plot by his mother, Queen Honae and her lover Kim Chi-yang to overthrow him.[3] Queen Honae and Kim sought to replace Mokjong with their child, whom they had presented as a son of Mokjong's father, Gyeongjong of Goryeo, which Mokjong sought to prevent as it would have meant the end of the Wang Clan's rule over Goryeo.[4][5] Further complicating the situation was Mokjong's homosexuality, which led to his lack of heirs, and his sexuality would be used as an excuse for his eventual overthrow.[6] Mokjong called in General Kang to stop Queen Honae and Kim's coup, but in the process, Mokjong himself was dethroned by general Kang Cho on charges that he had neglected the defense of the country which was in imminent danger from an invasion by the Khitan Liao as well as allegations that his homosexuality was a "sickness" and was forcefully sent into exile in Chungju.[7][8] However, he was slain before he arrived there.[1]

Mokjong's tomb was known as Gongneung, but its present location is not known.

Family

  1. Queen Seonjeong of the Chungju Yu clan (선정왕후 유씨); maternal first cousin or paternal second cousin – No issue.
  2. Palace Lady Yoseoktaek, of the Kim clan (요석택궁인 김씨) – No issue.[9]

Mokjong is on record as having kept several wonchung ("male lovers") in their courts as “little-brother attendants” (chajewhi) who served as sexual partners.[10]

In popular culture

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 1259–1274
  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

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "목종[穆宗] - 비극적 결말에 가려진 12년의 치세". contents.history.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  2. ^ 김, 경순 (February 25, 2020). "고려 : 7대 목종, 게이의 슬픔". 수완뉴스. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  3. ^ "[Why] [이한우의 역사속의 Why] 고려 목종을 폐립시킨 강조". Chosun Ilbo. January 31, 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  4. ^ "[Why] [이한우의 역사속의 Why] 고려 목종을 폐립시킨 강조". Chosun Ilbo. January 31, 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  5. ^ 김, 경순 (February 25, 2020). "고려 : 7대 목종, 게이의 슬픔". 수완뉴스. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  6. ^ 김, 경순 (February 25, 2020). "고려 : 7대 목종, 게이의 슬픔". 수완뉴스. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  7. ^ Choe, Chong Dae (February 19, 2013). "Patriotism of Goryeo General Ha Gong-jin". Korea Times. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  8. ^ 김, 경순 (February 25, 2020). "고려 : 7대 목종, 게이의 슬픔". 수완뉴스. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  9. ^ She firstly served as a palace maid (궁녀, 宮女) from the Kim clan (김씨, 金氏) and was honoured as Palace Lady Yoseoktaek (요석택궁인, 邀石宅宮人) after being favored by the king. However, she got involved in the Kim Yung-dae (김융대)'s case. After Mokjong was exiled, no records were left about Yoseok's life.
  10. ^ Hyung-Ki Choi; et al. "South Korea (Taehan Min'guk)". International Encyclopedia of Sexuality. Continuum Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
Mokjong of Goryeo House of WangBorn: 5 July 980 Died: 2 March 1009 Regnal titles Preceded bySeongjong King of Goryeo 997–1009 Succeeded byHyeonjong
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