Injong of Goryeo

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Injong
인종
仁宗
In 1123, Lu Yundi [zh] (left), a diplomat of the Northern Song, met with Injong of Goryeo (right).
King of Goryeo
Reign1122–1146
Coronation1122
Junggwang Hall, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
PredecessorYejong of Goryeo
SuccessorUijong of Goryeo
BornWang Ku
29 October 1109
Queen Sundeok's manor, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Died10 April 1146 (aged 36)
Bohwa Palace, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Burial
Jangneung (장릉; 長陵)
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1124; dep. 1126)​
​
​
(m. 1125; dep. 1126)​
​
​
(m. 1126⁠–⁠1146)​
​
​
(m. 1127⁠–⁠1146)​
Issue
Posthumous name
Great King Geukan Gonghyo
(극안공효대왕, 克安恭孝大王)
Temple name
Injong (인종; 仁宗)
HouseWang
DynastyGoryeo
FatherYejong of Goryeo
MotherQueen Sundeok
Korean name
Hangul
인종
Hanja
仁宗
Revised RomanizationInjong
McCune–ReischauerInjong
Birth name
Hangul
왕구, later 왕해
Hanja
王構, later 王楷
Revised RomanizationWang Gu, later Wang Hae
McCune–ReischauerWang Ku, later Wang Hae
Courtesy name
Hangul
인표
Hanja
仁表
Revised RomanizationInpyo
McCune–ReischauerInp'yo
Posthumous name
Hangul
공효대왕
Hanja
恭孝大王
Revised RomanizationGonghyo Daewang
McCune–ReischauerKonghyo Taewang

Injong (29 October 1109 – 10 April 1146), personal name Wang Hae, was the 17th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was the eldest son of King Yejong and Queen Sundeok, the daughter of Yi Cha-gyŏm. His reign saw two major internal crises that nearly ended the Goryeo dynasty, the collapse of the Northern Song dynasty, and the establishment of the Jin dynasty as the dominant power in East Asia.

Background

Domestic

Injong ascended the throne in accordance with the third of the

King Sukjong came to power after abdication of his nephew. At the age of twelve and a half Injong's succession became possible largely due to the influence of his maternal grandfather Yi Cha-gyŏm, while according to the report of the Song envoy Xu Jing, Injong's uncle Prince Po, supported by the Han An-in faction, "had designs on [the throne]" [3]

International

By the early 1122 the

Yanjing (modern-day Beijing) and its own military capabilities.[6]

1122–1126: Control by Yi Cha-gyŏm

1122–1123

The early years of Injong's reign were dominated by his maternal grandfather Yi Cha-gyŏm.[7][8] As the Supreme Chancellor (munha sijung, junior first rank) at the head of combined Secretariat-Chancellery (chungseo munha-seong) Yi Cha-gyŏm was the highest-ranking government official.[9] His dominance was challenged during the last years of Yejong, but with the beginning of his grandson's reign Yi Cha-gyŏm took decisive steps to buttress it. By the end of 1122 Princes Po and Hye were exiled, Han An-in assassinated, and several hundred of his followers,[10] including a dozen core members of Tanju Han and Cheongan Im clans, were either banished or demoted.[3]

During this period, officers of the Royal Army began to play an important role in the domestic politics. Through his career Yi Cha-gyŏm cultivated muban military officials, that after 960 had a lower status and enjoyed less perquisites than their civilian munban counterparts. Two of his most important allies were Ch'oe Hong-jae, a high civilian official of a military background, and a military commander Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng.[3][8][10]

With this power base Yi Cha-gyŏm emerged as the most influential figure in the Goryeo politics. He became the Chief-Minister-Extraordinary in charge of all three chancelleries (samseong), while keeping the position of the head (superintendent, pansa) of the Ministry of Personnel (Yi-bu). He was also created a Duke (kong).[10] Nevertheless, his authority never became absolute: he had to take heed of other factions both in execution of policies he favored and in rooting out the opposition.

In foreign relations he was aligned with the Gyeongju Kim faction led by

Yalu river; from their point of view it was a repair of the frontier defenses. After a suppression of unrest in Balhae a secure North-Eastern frontier allowed Jin to focus on the Song.[12]

1124–1126

In early 1124 Ch'oe Hong-jae and military officers associated with him plotted to overthrow Yi Cha-gyŏm, but were unsuccessful.[3] Ch'oe and the associates were purged from their positions and exiled. Following the purge Yi married one of his daughters to Injong,[10] and increasingly filled the mid- and high-ranking government positions with his loyalists and relatives, including his five sons.[9] He and his faction profited from seized property of the purged officials.[8]

The idea that Goryeo has to submit to Jin was still encountering resistance. The embassy dispatched in 1125 to

Uiju. Taizong transferred the disputed area to Goryeo.[15]

It was reported that Yi Cha-gyŏm intended to usurp the throne and eventually planned to poison the king.

Kim Bu-sik and his supporters.[16]

A more serious challenge to the paramount position of Yi Cha-gyŏm was a rising organized by two courtiers, Kim Ch'an and An Po-rin. Beyond the involvement of some twenty-five young courtiers, the plot had a confidence of Injong and a support of three senior military officers, including one commander and one deputy commander of two (out of six) regular army divisions. Several senior statesmen, such as Yi Kong-su, approved the plot in principle but advised caution. The group struck "one night in 1126". The plan involved gaining control of the palace and king's person as the first stage of the coup, followed by a strike against other key targets. The conspirators captured the palace and killed several of Yi Cha-gyŏm loyalists, including the Minister of War (a brother of Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng). However, the palace was surrounded by the troops of Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng and armed monks led by Yi Cha-gyŏm's son. The rest of capital Kaesong remained in the control of the Yi faction. To finish the stand-off Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng ordered torching the palace (Yi Cha-gyŏm's disapproval was on the record as sent to him). Most of the palace, including libraries and the academy, burned down. "Countless" conspirators were killed. Injong offered to abdicate in favor of Yi Cha-gyŏm, but the latter refused.[10]

In the following government reshuffling Yi Cha-gyŏm rewarded his loyalists. However, Yi Kong-su kept his senior position in the Secretariat-Chancellery, and two Kim brothers were actually promoted, with

Kim Bu-sik becoming the Chief Censor. King Injong was living in Yi Cha-gyŏm's house and had married another of his daughters.[10]

This triumph was, however, short-lived. Other aristocratic factions joined forces to bring Yi Cha-gyŏm down. They fostered a disunity between Ch'ŏk and Yi, using the question of responsibility for violation of the sacred palace grounds as a bait. Involvement of Injong, Yi Kong-su and Kim Pu-il left traces in the official records.[10] In the fifth month of 1126 Yi Cha-gyŏm, his family and followers were arrested by the soldiers of Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng.[3] Yi was banished to Jeolla province and later beheaded.[8] Banished officials — Choe Hong-jae, members of Tanju Han and Cheongan Im clans and their associates — were recalled and reinstated in their positions. In the sixth month of 1126 King Injong married a daughter of Im Weonae. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng was demoted and banished in 1127.[3]

1127–1136: Reforms and Myo Cheong's rebellion

After the fall of Yi Cha-gyŏm the government was dominated by Kyeongju Kim and Han An-in/ Cheongan Im clans. Provincial clans, particularly from the Western Capital (Seogeong, modern

geomancer were prominent representatives of this faction.[17] Myo Cheong appeared at the court in 1127 [18] and officially became political adviser to Injong in 1128.[9]
It is possible that the Pyongyang group was used by the king to balance influence of the established aristocracy.

Already in 1127 Myo Cheong instigated [9] a fifteen-point restoration rescript (yusin chigyo) of Injong.[8] It included political reforms, called for austerity, and urged measures to restrict official exploitation of the peasantry.[9] Educational reforms were part of the package and intended to strengthen the royal authority. Injong ordered that each chu (large districts) and hyeon (district) establish a school (to prepare to the civil service examinations), thus facilitating the access of local elites to positions in the central administration.[19] Injong completed the reconstruction of the government school system by instituting the "six colleges" at the National Academy.[20]

Myo Cheong had a reputation for sanctity and was a speaker "easily dazzled his listeners".

Confucian scholar and a close ally of Chŏng Chi-sang.[3][18] Indeed, out of six senior censorial officials in 1133, two were supporters of Myo Cheong and only two steadfastly opposed him.[3]

Myo Cheong provided a geomantic explanation of the recent disturbances in Kaesong and offered to cure the problem: since the geomantic forces around the Eastern Capital were waning, the court should move to the Western Capital, where the same forces were strong and "filled with vigour".[21] This ideas, while somewhat extreme in their forcefulness, were in line with the prevailing thinking at the time. Ten Injunctions of Taejo accepted geomantic considerations as an important factor influencing government policies and ascribed a particular significance to the Western Capital. Injong's edict of 1129 commanded construction of a palace (Great Flowering Palace, Taehwa-gung), in Pyongyang to "revitalize our politics and [...] forever bestow felicity upon the following generations". The palace was completed in 1132 and Injong began to spend extended periods of time there.[18]

In foreign relations Injong's government, while admitting the superiority of Jin, aimed to preserve independence and trade interests of

Kim Bu-sik and his elder brother Kim Pu-il, while different sources record Choe Hong-jae as to be in favor of assisting the Song or as opposed to it. The relations with the Song were practically broken for the next few years: a request by Injong in 1129 to send an embassy was denied, while the embassy dispatched in 1132 was shipwrecked.[22]

Goryeo traditionally provided a refuge for Jurchens that were at odds with the powers at home. During the first twenty years of the 11th century 6,846 Jurchen refugees were registered at Kaesong, compared with the average of 526 over two-decade periods of the previous one hundred years (and only 17 during 1081–1100).[23] This policy continued under Injong, even if twice (in 1127 and 1130) the Jin used presence of the Jurchen refugees in Goryeo to pressure it into formal submission.[24]

Pyongyang faction represented a more nativist and anti-Jurchen approach. Myo Cheong claimed that moving a capital to Seogeong (Pyongyang) would reinvigorate Goryeo to the extent that thirty-six states, including Jin, would pay homage to it. He urged Injong to declare himself emperor, institute his own era name, and attack the "arrogant Jin".[21] A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Injong by Chŏng Chi-sang and Yun Ŏn-i.[25] Aided by the indecision of Injong an uneasy equilibrium between the factions continued for several years.

Disappointed by the rate of reforms, insufficiently decisive stance against Jin, and alarmed by purges of some of it supporters, Myo Cheong rebelled in 1135. At the Western Capital the rebels declared a new state of Taewi (Great Accomplishment). The rebels were enthusiastically supported in the northwest,[21] but most of Myo Cheong's supporters in Kaesong deserted him. It is still debated whether Myo Cheong was actually the principal driving force of the rebellion or just its figurehead.[18]

Im Weonae, the king's father-in-law, on the news of the revolt, mobilized armies to protect Kaesong.

Kim Bu-sik
as an associate of Chŏng Chi-sang.

1137–1146

From the suppression of the

taels of silver.[5] Goryeo exchanges several embassies with the Jin, and in 1142 Injong was formally invested as its vassal.[26]

In 1143 Injong appointed fourteen local magistrates, making another step in bringing local administration under the central control. As a result of the reforms of Yejong and Injong about one third of Goryeo's 450 or so prefectures and counties were under a direct control of the central government.[9]

In 1142, Injong ordered the compilation of the

Korean history. It was submitted to Injong in late 1145 or early 1146.[27]

Succession

Both Injong and Lady Im (Queen Gongye) are recorded as having misgivings about their oldest son Prince Hyeon. Both doubted his ability to rule and Queen Gongye preferred the second son Prince Kyeong as the next king.[28] Nevertheless, on Injong's death Prince Hyeon succeeded him as the 18th monarch of Goryeo.[29]

Family

  1. Inju Yi
    clan (d. 1139) – No issue.
  2. Inju Yi
    clan (d. 1195) – No issue.
  3. Queen Gongye of the Jangheung Im clan (1109–1183)
    1. Crown Prince Wang Hyŏn
    2. Wang Kyŏng, Marquess Daeryeong
    3. Wang Ho, Duke Ikyang
    4. Wang Ch'ung-hŭi
    5. Wang T'ak, Duke Pyeongnyang
    6. Princess Seunggyeong
    7. Princess Deoknyeong
    8. Princess Changrak
    9. Princess Yeonghwa
  4. Queen Seonpyeong of the Kim clan (d. 1179) – No issue.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-7425-6715-3
  2. ISBN 978-90-04-18325-4
  3. ^
    ISSN 0731-1613
    .
  4. ISBN 978-0-521-24331-5
  5. ^ a b c H. Franke, The Chin Dynasty, in D. Twitchet and J. K. Fairbank, Ch. 3
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0-521-81248-1
  7. ^ Seth, p. 89.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-253-00024-8
  9. ^
    ISSN 0145-840X
    .
  10. ^ a b c d e f g H.-w. Kang, The development of the Korean ruling class from late Silla to early Koryo, (PhD Thesis, University of Washington, 1964), pp. 280-289; available at http://hdl.handle.net/1773/11100
  11. ^ P. Yun, Balance of Power in the 11th-12th Century East Asian Interstate Relations, Journal of Political Criticism 9, 139 (2011.11)
  12. ^ Franke, p. 226
  13. ^ Breuker, p. 229
  14. ISBN 978-1-86189-273-7
  15. ^ Breuker, pp. 66, 207
  16. ^ Breuker, p. 238
  17. ^ Kim, Joo-won (December 15, 2021). "Myocheong's Seogyeongcheondo Island and Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e Breuker, Ch. 11, pp. 407-447
  19. ^ Seth, p. 84
  20. ^ Kim 147
  21. ^ a b c d Kim, p. 157
  22. ^ Breuker, p. 249
  23. ^ J. S. Ho, Monetary authority independence and stability in medieval Korea: the Koryŏ monetary system through four centuries of East Asian transformations, 918-1392, Financial History Review 21, 259 (2014) DOI: 10.1017/S0968565014000213.
  24. ^ Breuker, p. 223
  25. ^ Breuker, p. 275
  26. ^ R. E. Breuker, Koryo as an Independent Realm: The Emperor's Clothes? Korean Studies 27, 48 (2003) DOI: 10.1353/ks.2005.0001
  27. ^ E. J. Shultz, An Introduction to the Samsuk Sagi, Korean Studies 28, 1 (2004); DOI: 10.1353/ks.2005.0026
  28. ISSN 0145-840X
    .
  29. ^ 문, 병길 (June 15, 2021). "(특별기고) 장흥(長興)이라는 이름은 고려17대 인종임금이 작명했다". Jangheung Today. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
Injong of Goryeo
Born: 29 October 1109 Died: 10 April 1146
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Goryeo
1122–1146 		Succeeded by
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