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Myeongjong of Goryeo

Type Figure Region Korean Peninsula Time 1131–1202 Also known as Goryeo Myeongjong

Wang Ho, the 19th king of Goryeo with the temple name Myeongjong, was enthroned after the 1170 military coup;…

Timeline

  1. 1170–1174Gaeseong · GaeseongIn 1170 Jeong Jung-bu and Yi Ui-bang launched a coup, deposing Uijong and enthroning Prince Uiyeong Wang Ho as Myeongjong. At the start of his reign military and political power was held by Yi Ui-bang; Myeongjong was nominally sovereign but in practice could not make decisions independently.
  2. 1171–1174Gaeseong · GaeseongFrom 1171 to 1174 Yi Ui-bang monopolized court politics while Myeongjong remained a puppet. In 1173 Kim Bu-dang, the northeastern military commissioner, rose in an attempt to restore Uijong, but was swiftly suppressed by the military officers; Uijong was killed and the court grew more turbulent.
  3. 1174–1180Gaeseong · GaeseongIn 1174 Yi Ui-bang was assassinated by Jeong Jung-bu, who took over supreme power. In 1179 Jeong Jung-bu was in turn killed by Gyeong Dae-seung, opening a new phase of the military regime. Throughout this period Myeongjong still tried to exploit divisions among the military officers to preserve himself, but royal authority was not substantially restored.

Sources