Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn

Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn (; 1149 – 29 October 1219) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period. After overthrowing the previous military ruler, Yi Ŭimin, Ch'oe consolidated his power through purges and presented reform measures known as 'Bongsa Sipjo' . To maintain control, he created a dual administration, with private government institutions and private military forces answering directly to him, while maintaining the government structures of the old dynastic regime and limiting its authority. His power was so immense that he replaced four kings and established a power base that maintained the Ch'oe family's military regime for over 60 years.

Early life Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn was born in 1149, the son of Supreme General Ch'oe Wŏnho and his wife, Lady Yu . He is thought to have been born in Gaeseong or Gyeongju. He was descended from the famous Confucian scholar Ch'oe Ch'iwŏn, who lived in the North South States Period and was the ancestor of the Gyeongju Ch'oe clan, but because Ch'oe Wŏnho was given the ancestral seat of Ubong, his family split from the Gyeongju Ch'oe clan and became the Ubong Ch'oe clan. He married Lady Song, the daughter of general Song Ch'ŏng, and had two sons by her, Ch'oe U and Ch'oe Hyang.

Military career Ch'oe entered the military, like his father, and was a colonel until he reached age 35 when he became a general. He joined the Council of Generals at age 40. Ch'oe served under the military dictators during the reign of King Myeongjong. During the rule of military dictator Yi Ŭimin, Ch'oe and his brother Ch'oe Ch'ungsu became dissatisfied with his reign. Initially, he became the yangonryŏng (良醞令) via protected appointment due to his father's status in the military. It was the first official position that Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn which was an 8th rank position in the Agency for Royal Liquors , responsible for producing and supplying alcohol to the royal family and government offices. For a while, he moved between lower positions, but after the military coup occurred, he felt ashamed to remain in a clerical position despite his determination to achieve merit and make a name for himself, so he reportedly changed to a military position. After Sinjong died, Ch'oe forced his son to the throne as Huijong. After seven years, Huijong led a revolt but failed. Then, Ch'oe found the pliable King Gojong instead. Although the House of Ch'oe established strong private individuals loyal to it, continuous invasion by the Mongols ravaged the whole land, resulting in a weakened defense ability, and the power of the military regime waned.

Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn seized power by eliminating Yi Ŭimin and his faction due to the political instability during King Myeongjong's reign and the resistance from local societies, which created a conducive social atmosphere. To renew this social atmosphere, Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn presented the "Ten Reform Proposals" (Bongsasipjo). Internally, he aimed to stabilize the regime by dispelling the frequent political upheavals and the alliances and divisions among military factions under King Myeongjong. Externally, his goal was to quell the unrest in local societies. However, Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn's regime was essentially a continuation of the previous military regimes, showcasing the characteristics of a new oppressor.

The Ch'oe regime lasted 60 years, during which Goryeo could resist the Mongol invasions. After the fall of the Ch'oe military regime, the Sambyeolcho, which was the private army of the Ch'oe family, separated from the Goryeo government and attempted to start its nation, but this rebellion was defeated by a Mongol-Goryeo army.

Approximately 845 Koreans today are members of the Ubong Ch'oe clan.

Family Father: Ch'oe Wŏnho Mother: Lady Yu Brother: Ch'oe Ch'ungsu (; 1151–1197) Sister: Lady Ch'oe Nephew: Pak Chinjae (; 1165–1207) Wives and their issue(s): Lady Song ; daughter of Song Ch'ŏng Ch'oe U (1166 – 10 December 1249), first son Ch'oe Hyang (1167–1230), second son Lady Ch'oe , first daughter Princess Jeonghwa of the Kaesong Wang clan, daughter of King Gangjong of Goryeo. Ch'oe Ku , third son Mr. Ch'oe , fourth son Princess Suseong of the Jangheung Im clan ; daughter of Im Pu . Ch'oe Sŏng , fifth son Cha Unsŏn

Title Early title: 別抄都令 -> 攝將軍 1196: The title of 左承宣 御史臺知事 was added. 1197: The title of 靖國功臣 三韓大匡大中大夫 上將軍柱國 was added. 1204: The title of 壁上三韓三重大匡 開府儀同三司守太師 門下侍郞同中書門下平章事 上將軍上柱國 兵部御史臺判事 太子太師 was added. Just a few days later 晋康郡候 門下侍中 was additionally added. 1212: The title of 晋康府候 文經武緯嚮理措安功臣 was added.

Popular culture Portrayed by Kim Kap-soo and Ryu Deok-hwan in the 2003–2004 KBS1 TV series Age of Warriors. Portrayed by Joo Hyun in the 2012 MBC TV series God of War.