Yi Ui-min

Yi Ŭimin (; died 7 May 1196) was a powerful military dictator during the late Goryeo period who dominated the Goryeo government prior to the Mongol Invasions. When his rival, Commander Kyŏng Taesŭng, died, Yi Ŭimin rose to power in the Council of Generals as Supreme General and tongjungsŏ munha p'yŏngjangsa p'an pyŏngbu sa. He rose from a humble background to wield power for 12 years (1184–1196) during the early phase of the Goryeo Military Regime. Known for his physical strength and ruthlessness, he played key roles in quelling rebellions and consolidating military rule, but was eventually assassinated by Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn, marking the end of his regime and the beginning of the Choe military dictatorship.

Biography

Early life In a rigidly stratified society, Yi was born into one of the lowest social classes. His father Yi Sŏn was a salt and sieves trader and his mother was a slave at Okryeongsa Temple, located in Yeonil-hyeon. According to the History of Goryeo, he was as tall as 8 ch'ŏk or 1m 90 cm and possessed remarkable physical strength. Yi's pon'gwan was from Gyeongju.

Military Yi Ŭimin and his two brothers became notorious local troublemakers. They were eventually arrested on orders from the regional inspector Kim Chayang and rigorously tortured — his two brothers died, but Yi survived and was sent to the capital defense command , likely to remove him from local disturbances. Yi brought his wife and moved to the capital, Kaegyŏng. His impressive physique and martial skill in subak (hand-to-hand combat) caught the attention of King Uijong, who promoted him from sublieutenant to subcolonel .

After returning to the capital, Yi used a strategy of co-opting fellow military leaders. Even those who had been suppressed under Kyŏng Taesŭng, like Yi Yŏngjin and Son Sŏk, re-entered political life. Yi’s regime included both former allies and enemies of Kyŏng, suggesting he tried to absorb all factions. This approach, however, was seen by some as a shallow attempt to gain prestige.

Having successfully carried out the assassination, the Ch'oe brothers immediately head to Kaegyŏng, where they exposed the head of Yi on the street and called up troops with help from general Paek Chonyu . Hearing the news, King Myeongjong at the Bojesa temple hurried his way back to Kaegyŏng.

Yi's sons Chisun and Chigwang battled against the Ch'oe brothers only to run away in the end after having struggled on the defensive. As they flee, the Ch'oe brothers led their troops to the palace to ask Myeongjong to allow them to put down the remaining insurgents loyal to Yi. With their authority granted by the Myeongjong, the Ch'oe brothers closed up the castle gates to deter fleeing and went on to detain Yi's followers one by one. Notably, many of his key military allies had already died: Cho Wŏnjŏng and Sŏk Rin were executed in 1188 for treason; Paek Imji, Pak Sunp'il, and Yi Yŏngjin died in 1191; Choe Sebo died in 1193. This suggests that the generation of military leaders who led the 1170 coup was fading Meanwhile, they had general Han Hu capture and kill Yi Chiyŏng amid his frolick with Kisaengs.

After this, Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn killed all families and relatives of Yi Ŭimin, and even sent people to every regions of the nation, wiping out all followers and slaves of Yi's. The two surviving sons of Yi Ŭimin, Yi Chisun and Yi Chigwang, returned to Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn to beg for mercy and their pardon, but Ch'oe killed both of them, eradicating the last of Yi's clan.

Evaluation Unlike predecessors like Yi Ŭibang, Chŏng Chungbu, or Kyŏng Taesŭng, Yi lacked strong family backing or civil service credentials. Still, the core members of Yi’s regime were those who shared his political views, such as Ch'oe Sebo, who rose to second-highest ministerial rank despite being ranked fourth. Mun Kŭkkyŏm , who was ahead of Ch'oe in rank, declined promotion, likely due to Ch'oe's political power and close ties to Yi. Choe's son had even committed a crime against the crown prince’s maid, yet Yi protected him. The downfall of Choe's family during Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn's rise suggests that Yi’s influence extended to his allies.

Other key figures included Cho Wŏnjŏng and Chŏng Pang'u, both active participants in the 1170 coup. Yi’s administration expanded the number of top ministers from 7 to 8 in 1190, with most of them being military men involved in the coup: Ch'oe Sebo: Specially promoted Minister of State Tu Kyŏngsŭng: Minister of Defense Yi Ŭimin: Chancellor (Dongjungseomunhapyeongjangsa) Pak Sunp'il: Minister of Central Secretariat Sa Chŏngyu: Minister of Public Works, Deputy Prime Minister Yi Hyŏk'yu: Deputy Prime Minister Yi Chimyŏng: Crown Prince’s Tutor Paek Imji: Head of State Council

Aside from a few exceptions, most of these were low-born military men who had risen through their own strength, not through family or scholarship. Their rise reflected a new social atmosphere that valued physical power over traditional status.

Family Father: Yi Sŏn Mother: Lady Sŏng Wife: Lady Ch'oe Yi Chiyŏng (? – 1196), first son Yi Chisun (? – 1196), second son Yi Chigwang (? – 1196), third son Lady Yi , first daughter Lady Yi , second daughter

In popular culture Portrayed by Lee Deok-hwa in the 2003–2004 KBS1 TV series Age of Warriors. In this drama he was nicknamed the Geumgang Yacha (金剛夜叉) (Diamond Monster) for his combat prowess and brutality.