Myeongjong

Myeongjong (8 November 1131 – 3 December 1202), personal name Wang Ho, was the 19th king of Korea's Goryeo dynasty. He was the third son of King Injong. His reign marked the beginning of the century-long military rule of Korea known as the Goryeo military regime.

Although it was intended that King Injong's second son should succeed his father, he was assassinated because Chŏng Chung-bu feared that he might become a threat to him in the future. Myeongjong was a weak puppet king, and was merely on the throne to show the general populace they still had a king, as the true rulers were the military leaders who had launched a coup d'état against Myeongjong's older brother and had established a military government. Despite this, Myeongjong did attempt to play off the military leaders against each other to both secure his own survival but also in an attempt to regain royal authority. His reign saw constant bloodshed as well as the deaths of the military rulers Chŏng Chung-bu, Yi Ŭi-bang, Kyŏng Tae-sŭng, and Yi Ŭi-min.

After twenty-seven years on the throne, he was sent into exile by the military ruler of the time, Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn. King Injong's fifth son, King Sinjong, was placed on the throne.

Family Father: Injong of Goryeo Grandfather: Yejong of Goryeo Grandmother: Queen Sundeok of the Gyeongwon Yi clan Mother: Queen Gongye of the Jangheung Im clan Grandfather: Im Won-hu Grandmother: Grand Lady, of Jinhan State of the Bupyeong Yi clan Consort and their Respective issue(s): Queen Uijeong of the Gangneung Kim clan, half second cousin once removed. Crown Prince Wang Yeong, 1st son Princess Yeonhui, 1st daughter Princess Suan, 2nd daughter Concubine Myeongchun (명춘; d. 1180) – No issue. Concubine Sunju (순주; d. 1179) – No issue. Unknown Wang Seon-sa (왕선사), 2nd son Wang Hong-gi (왕홍기), 3rd son Wang Hong-chu (왕홍추), 4th son Wang Hong-gyu (왕홍규), 5th son Wang Hong-gyun (왕홍균), 6th son Wang Hong-gak (왕홍각), 7th son Wang Hong-yi (왕홍이), 8th son

Popular culture Portrayed by Kim Byung-se in the 2003–2004 KBS TV series Age of Warriors.