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Im Yeon

Type Figure Region Korean Peninsula Time c. 1220–1270 Also known as Im Yeon、임연、林承柱、Im Seung-ju、Lin Yan

Im Yeon (d. 1270) was a late Goryeo military strongman dictator, of the Im clan from Jincheon, originally an officer of the Sambyeolcho;…

Timeline

  1. 1258–1268Ganghwa Island · GanghwaOf the Im clan of Jincheon, he first served under Song Yeon-sang, then entered the inner circle of the military officials for military merit, taking Kim Jun as an adoptive father. After taking part in the Imo and Imjin coups his power rose, until in 1268 he killed Kim Jun and seized power.
  2. 1269–1270Ganghwa Island · GanghwaIn 1269 he launched a coup deposing Wonjong and enthroning Wang Chang as King Yeongjong; after the Yuan dispatched troops to pressure the western capital, he was forced to restore Wonjong. After Wonjong went to the Yuan to explain the situation, Im Yeon died of illness from fear, and real power passed to his son Im Yul-mo, who was soon executed in 1270 by Hong Mun-gye, Song Song-ri, and others.

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