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Yi Cha-gyŏm

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Yi Cha-gyŏm (died on 19 January 1127) was a politician, soldier, regent, and poet in twelfth-century Goryeo . Born into a noble family, Yi rose to power through strategic marriages and political maneuvering, becoming a pivotal figure in the royal court. His career was marked by ambitious political schemes and alliances, including marriages of his daughters to kings, which further consolidated his authority. Goryeosa , where it catalogs notable traitors throughout Goryeo history, dedicates a biography to Yi's service and corruption in the royal court.

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67-410: At the height of his power, Yi Cha-gyŏm wielded significant influence and raised private armies. His corruption and arrogance strained relations with the king, and climaxed in disturbances which saw the main royal palace building set ablaze, though Yi emerged victorious against the king with the help of the powerful military general, Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . Yet, Yi's repeated attempts to poison the king widened

134-573: A Buddhist monk and geomancer were prominent representatives of this faction. Myo Cheong appeared at the court in 1127 and officially became political adviser to Injong in 1128. It is possible that the Pyongyang group was used by the king to balance influence of the established aristocracy. Already in 1127 Myo Cheong instigated a fifteen-point restoration rescript ( yusin chigyo ) of Injong. It included political reforms, called for austerity, and urged measures to restrict official exploitation of

201-488: A Duke ( kong ). Nevertheless, his authority never became absolute: he had to take heed of other factions both in execution of policies he favored and in rooting out the opposition. In foreign relations he was aligned with the Gyeongju Kim faction led by Kim Bu-sik and his brothers, advocating a submission to the newly established Jin . In 1123 the renewed Song offer of formal investiture was rejected. Jin stepped up

268-433: A Goryeo embassy (that included Kim Bu-sik ) had to return without being able to reach then capital of Song, Kaifeng . The embassy to Jin sent in 1126 presented the submission of Goryeo in proper terms and brought up the matter of Uiju . Taizong transferred the disputed area to Goryeo. It was reported that Yi Cha-gyŏm intended to usurp the throne and eventually planned to poison the king. According to this report, there

335-624: A court office ( 숭덕부 ; 崇德府 ) traditionally reserved for princes or the queen, thereby positioning himself as equivalent to the crown prince or queen. Corruption and bribery pervaded Goryeo's capital . One day, Yi Cha-gyŏm dispatched a private envoy to the Song dynasty , seeking appointment as the king's regent ( 지군국사 ; 知軍國事 ), without consulting Injong . Later, Yi demanded ex post facto that Injong recognize him as such. Enraged, Injong refused and resolved to remove Yi Cha-gyŏm from power. In 1126, several of Injong 's trusted advisors devised

402-535: A crime, but general Yun Kwan recognized Ch'ŏk's martial talents and got the royal court to release Ch'ŏk from jail. In 1108, he served under general Yun during Yun's invasion of the Jurchens. On January 18, 1108, Yun began the war against the Jurchens. He invited prominent Jurchen chiefs to a banquet and got them drunk. Yun had Ch'ŏk and Kim Pu-p'il ambush and kill the Jurchen chiefs. On January 29, Yun, Ch'ŏk and

469-692: A direct control of the central government. In 1142, Injong ordered the compilation of the Samguk sagi , a chronicle of events in the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla . Using Chinese histories (particularly Shiji by Sima Qian ), Kim Bu-sik at the head of the fourteen-author team compiled the oldest extant source on Korean history . It was submitted to Injong in late 1145 or early 1146. Both Injong and Lady Im (Queen Gongye) are recorded as having misgivings about their oldest son Prince Hyeon . Both doubted his ability to rule and Queen Gongye preferred

536-490: A dozen core members of Tanju Han and Cheongan Im clans, were either banished or demoted. During this period, officers of the Royal Army began to play an important role in the domestic politics. Through his career Yi Cha-gyŏm cultivated muban military officials, that after 960 had a lower status and enjoyed less perquisites than their civilian munban counterparts. Two of his most important allies were Ch'oe Hong-jae,

603-607: A high civilian official of a military background, and a military commander Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . With this power base Yi Cha-gyŏm emerged as the most influential figure in the Goryeo politics. He became the Chief-Minister-Extraordinary in charge of all three chancelleries ( samseong ), while keeping the position of the head (superintendent, pansa ) of the Ministry of Personnel ( Yi-bu ). He was also created

670-437: A matter of the public record. He planned performance of royal ritual music at the tombs of his forefathers and celebration of his birthday as the anniversary of a king ( insujeol ). Both moves were opposed by Kim Bu-sik and his supporters. A more serious challenge to the paramount position of Yi Cha-gyŏm was a rising organized by two courtiers, Kim Ch'an and An Po-rin. Beyond the involvement of some twenty-five young courtiers,

737-413: A more nativist and anti-Jurchen approach. Myo Cheong claimed that moving a capital to Seogeong (Pyongyang) would reinvigorate Goryeo to the extent that thirty-six states, including Jin, would pay homage to it. He urged Injong to declare himself emperor, institute his own era name, and attack the "arrogant Jin". A memorandum to this effect was also submitted to Injong by Chŏng Chi-sang and Yun Ŏn-i. Aided by

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804-531: A particular significance to the Western Capital. Injong's edict of 1129 commanded construction of a palace (Great Flowering Palace, Taehwa-gung ), in Pyongyang to "revitalize our politics and [...] forever bestow felicity upon the following generations". The palace was completed in 1132 and Injong began to spend extended periods of time there. In foreign relations Injong's government, while admitting

871-500: A plan to eliminate Yi Cha-gyŏm. With Injong 's consent, they intended to enlist support from military generals who harbored animosity toward Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng , a close ally and relative of Yi. Injong dispatched one of his eunuchs to seek counsel from Kim In-jon. Although Kim In-jon agreed in principle to eliminating Yi, he cautioned that it would be challenging due to Ch'ŏk 's influence in the military. Nevertheless, Injong remained determined and ordered Yi's removal. Yi became aware of

938-535: A refuge for Jurchens that were at odds with the powers at home. During the first twenty years of the 11th century 6,846 Jurchen refugees were registered at Kaesong, compared with the average of 526 over two-decade periods of the previous one hundred years (and only 17 during 1081–1100). This policy continued under Injong, even if twice (in 1127 and 1130) the Jin used presence of the Jurchen refugees in Goryeo to pressure it into formal submission. Pyongyang faction represented

1005-519: A senior member of the Censorate, and Yun Ŏn-i, son of the famous general Yun Kwan , influential Confucian scholar and a close ally of Chŏng Chi-sang. Indeed, out of six senior censorial officials in 1133, two were supporters of Myo Cheong and only two steadfastly opposed him. Myo Cheong provided a geomantic explanation of the recent disturbances in Kaesong and offered to cure the problem: since

1072-513: A slave after the king's death. After the impeachment, Yi struggled to re-enter government for a while until he married his second daughter to Yejong of Goryeo ( r.  1105–1122 ) in 1107. The union was Yejong 's effort to appease the court officials who protested his military campaign against the Jurchens , since Yi Cha-gyŏm's father-in-law, Ch'oe Sa-chu, wielded significance political influence in Goryeo and Yi's brother-in-law, Kim In-jon,

1139-617: A slave of Yi's son, Yi Chi-ŏn, and one belonging to Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . During the dispute, Yi Chi-ŏn's slave accused Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng of setting fire to the royal palace, suggesting he deserved execution. When Ch'ŏk learned of the accusation. he stormed to Yi Cha-gyŏm's house, publicly disrobing himself and loudly demanding that the authorities adjudicate his alleged crime. At the scene, Yi Cha-gyŏm refused to offer an apology. Later, after Ch'ŏk had returned home, Yi attempted reconciliation by sending his sons to ease tensions, but Ch'ŏk remained unappeased, vehemently blaming Yi and his family for

1206-504: A weapon and an armoured horse. Ch'ŏk rode into the enemy camp and slew one of the enemy commanders, and killed with his bow two more enemy commanders who tried to pursue him as he returned from the Jurchen camp. Ch'ŏk's act was able to allow the defeated remnants of the Goryeo army to retreat from the battlefield. Ch'ŏk was rewarded with an appointment as the Ch'onu-wi recorder adjutant ( 천우위녹사 참군사 ; 千牛衛錄事參軍事 ). At some point, Ch'ŏk committed

1273-461: Is still debated whether Myo Cheong was actually the principal driving force of the rebellion or just its figurehead. Im Weonae, the king's father-in-law, on the news of the revolt, mobilized armies to protect Kaesong. Officials associated with Myo Cheong were prosecuted: some, like Chŏng Chi-sang were executed, and many banished during 1135–1136. Several attempts were made to negotiate with the rebels. The situation became particularly threatening when

1340-476: The civil service examination . Yi Cha-gyŏm's father, Yi Ho, solidified his family ties to royalty by marrying his second daughter to Sunjong of Goryeo . Just by virtue of being a brother of a queen consort, Yi Cha-gyŏm was appointed to high office. But Sunjong of Goryeo died within three years of ascending to the throne, and Yi soon after lost office as a result of Yi Cha-gyŏm's sister, the queen consort, being found having an inappropriate romantic relationship with

1407-558: The "six colleges" at the National Academy. Myo Cheong had a reputation for sanctity and was a speaker "easily dazzled his listeners". His teachings were enjoying a growing popularity with the people and some members of the elite, including the king. Politically the Pyongyang faction was opposed by the Kyeongju Kim and Han An-in/Cheongan Im groups. Its supporters included Choe Hong-jae, an old foe of Han An-in faction, now

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1474-533: The Chief Censor. King Injong was living in Yi Cha-gyŏm's house and had married another of his daughters. This triumph was, however, short-lived. Other aristocratic factions joined forces to bring Yi Cha-gyŏm down. They fostered a disunity between Ch'ŏk and Yi, using the question of responsibility for violation of the sacred palace grounds as a bait. Involvement of Injong, Yi Kong-su and Kim Pu-il left traces in

1541-506: The Executive of Secretariat-Chancellery ( 문하시랑 판병부사 ; 門下侍郞 判兵部事 ), giving him command of the armed forces. The remaining aristocratic rivals of Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng plotted to overthrow them by turning them against each other. The schemers convinced Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng to betray his ally Yi. Three months after the assassination plot had been foiled, Ch'ŏk and his soldiers would arrest Yi Cha-gyŏm and his political allies. Yi

1608-409: The Goryeo army reached Sŏksŏng ( 석성 ; 石城 ). The Jurchen defenders refused to surrender and Goryeo army faced stiff resistance. Yun asked Ch'ŏk to attack the fort alongside General Yi Kwan-jin ( 이관진 ; 李冠珍 ). Ch'ŏk instead told Yun that he would repay Yun's favour in releasing him from prison even if it meant losing his life. He then put on his armour and took a shield, and scaled the walls of

1675-707: The Goryeo dynasty, the collapse of the Northern Song dynasty , and the establishment of the Jin dynasty as the dominant power in East Asia . Injong ascended the throne in accordance with the third of the Ten Injunctions of Taejo , as "the eldest legitimate royal issue." Despite the reverend status of this document, its succession rules were often disregarded. As recent as in 1095 Injong's grandfather King Sukjong came to power after abdication of his nephew. At

1742-456: The Jurchen ambushers until Goryeo reinforcements led by Ch'oe Hong-jong ( 최홍정 ; 崔弘正 ) and Yi Kwan-jin arrived. When the Jurchens lifted the ambush, Ch'ŏk pursued them and beheaded 36 Jurchen soldiers. Yun Kwan told Ch'ŏk that he would now regard Ch'ŏk as if he were his own son. For his contributions during the war, Ch'ŏk was promoted to the office of audience usher ( 합문지후 ; 閤門祗候 ; hammun chihu ) and an assistant office chief of

1809-464: The Ministry of Works ( 공부원외랑 ; 工部員外郎 ) by the end of the war in 1109. These promotions would have taken an ordinary civil official ten years, however Ch'ŏk as a military official had only been promoted after a period of around two years. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng would forge a strong personal relationship with Yi Cha-gyŏm , a powerful Goryeo aristocrat of the Inju Yi clan . Yi Cha-gyŏm and his clan were

1876-545: The Supreme Chancellor ( munha sijung , junior first rank) at the head of combined Secretariat-Chancellery ( chungseo munha-seong ) Yi Cha-gyŏm was the highest-ranking government official. His dominance was challenged during the last years of Yejong , but with the beginning of his grandson's reign Yi Cha-gyŏm took decisive steps to buttress it. By the end of 1122 Princes Po and Hye were exiled, Han An-in assassinated, and several hundred of his followers, including

1943-653: The age of twelve and a half Injong's succession became possible largely due to the influence of his maternal grandfather Yi Cha-gyŏm , while according to the report of the Song envoy Xu Jing, Injong's uncle Prince Po, supported by the Han An-in faction, "had designs on [the throne]" By the early 1122 the Khitan -led state of Liao was effectively destroyed by the armies of Taizu of Jin , an emergent Jurchen-led state. Large number of Khitans fled to Goryeo . Operations of Northern Song against Khitan were unsuccessful, and

2010-491: The captured emperors. The request was denied at the insistence of Kim Bu-sik and his elder brother Kim Pu-il, while different sources record Choe Hong-jae as to be in favor of assisting the Song or as opposed to it. The relations with the Song were practically broken for the next few years: a request by Injong in 1129 to send an embassy was denied, while the embassy dispatched in 1132 was shipwrecked. Goryeo traditionally provided

2077-481: The correspondence it carried addressed the emperor improperly and did not use the term 'servant' when referring to Goryeo. The question whether to accept that the mandate of the Northern Song dynasty passed to Jin was debated through 1126. Eventually Kim and Yi convinced Injong and the reluctant officials to submit to Jin. By that time the Song were collapsing under Jin attack, Emperor Huizong abdicated, while

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2144-548: The coup, followed by a strike against other key targets. The conspirators captured the palace and killed several of Yi Cha-gyŏm loyalists, including the Minister of War (a brother of Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng). However, the palace was surrounded by the troops of Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng and armed monks led by Yi Cha-gyŏm's son. The rest of capital Kaesong remained in the control of the Yi faction. To finish the stand-off Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng ordered torching

2211-448: The covert plot and gathered his allies to seek a resolution, but their efforts proved futile, knowing that any retaliatory action would constitute a coup d'etat. On February 25, 1126, Injong 's forces stormed the palace and killed Ch'ŏk Chun-sin, Ch'ŏk 's younger brother, and Ch'ŏk Sun, Ch'ŏk 's son. Their bodies were left scattered outside the palace. Unaware of these casualties, Ch'ŏk led some 300 Buddhist warrior monks. Ch'ŏk broke

2278-646: The events leading to the palace fire. During that period, Yi Cha-gyŏm placed great trust in Korean traditional divination ( 파자점 ; 破字占 ), which involved the breakdown and analysis of Chinese characters to derive meaning or predictions. According to one divination, it was foretold that "the eighteen (十八子)" would ascend to the throne. Since Yi's family name, 李, could be interpreted as 十八子 in Chinese characters, Yi came to believe that he himself would one day become king. In pursuit of this belief, Yi once attempted to poison

2345-713: The fort, killing several of the Jurchen chiefs. This allowed for Yun Kwan to conquer the fort. On February 27, Yun Kwan and his deputy commander, O Yŏn-ch'ong ( 오연총 ; 吳延寵 ), and their force of 8000 men were ambushed by a Jurchen surprise attack. Most of the Goryeo army dispersed with only around 10 soldiers remaining alongside Yun and O. O was hit by an arrow and was severely injured. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng took 10 men to aid Yun and O. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng's younger brother, Ch'ŏk Chun-sin ( 척준신 ; 拓俊臣 ), attempted to persuade Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng to not risk his life, however Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng refused to heed his brother's advice. Ch'ŏk and his men killed 10 enemy combatants and helped Yun and O fend

2412-474: The geomantic forces around the Eastern Capital were waning, the court should move to the Western Capital, where the same forces were strong and "filled with vigour". This ideas, while somewhat extreme in their forcefulness, were in line with the prevailing thinking at the time. Ten Injunctions of Taejo accepted geomantic considerations as an important factor influencing government policies and ascribed

2479-497: The government. The conspirators seized the royal palace, and killed Ch'ŏk's brother and son. However, they were unable to kill Ch'ŏk or Yi. During the night, the angered Ch'ŏk, without consulting his ally Yi, burned the royal palace to the ground to force the conspirators to surrender. On May 9 , Ch'ŏk was rewarded for suppressing the conspirators with the office of the Superintendent of the Ministry of Military Affairs and

2546-525: The indecision of Injong an uneasy equilibrium between the factions continued for several years. Disappointed by the rate of reforms, insufficiently decisive stance against Jin, and alarmed by purges of some of it supporters, Myo Cheong rebelled in 1135. At the Western Capital the rebels declared a new state of Taewi (Great Accomplishment). The rebels were enthusiastically supported in the northwest, but most of Myo Cheong's supporters in Kaesong deserted him. It

2613-406: The king, offering rice cakes through his daughter who was married to the king. However, the queen, aware of foul play, alerted Injong and foiled the assassination plan. Meanwhile, Injong became aware of the growing discord between Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . He dispatched an advisor named Ch'oe to persuade Ch'ŏk . Ch'oe presented Ch'ŏk with a letter written by Injong the night before

2680-638: The lost Song territories south of the Great Wall ( Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun ) were recovered only after the Jurchen victory over Liao. The 1123 treaty formalized the superior status of Jin: the annual tribute of Song was set to 200,000 taels of silver and 200,000 bolts of silk. Despite the weak performance against Khitan , the Song government overestimated both the importance of the reclamation of Yanjing (modern-day Beijing ) and its own military capabilities. The early years of Injong's reign were dominated by his maternal grandfather Yi Cha-gyŏm . As

2747-403: The maternal in-laws of Goryeo's royal House of Wang , and he had more power and influence than the king himself. Yi would help promote Ch'ŏk and his relatives to high-ranking offices in the royal court, in exchange for Ch'ŏk's loyalty and influence over the Goryeo military. Ch'ŏk would strengthen this bond by becoming in-laws with Yi by marrying his daughter to Yi's son, Yi Chi-wŏn. In 1123, Ch'ŏk

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2814-415: The name "Yeonggwang Gulbi ( 영광 굴비 ; 靈光 屈非 ) ," combining the place of his exile, Yeonggwang, with "gulbi," which signifies determination or resilience, indicating his refusal to yield. Despite the usual fate of exiles being forgotten, Injong maintained respect for Yi as his maternal grandfather and childhood guardian. In a gesture of honor, Injong shared with Yi and his wife, Lady Ch'oe, tributes to

2881-404: The offers of military assistance came both from the Jin and Southern Song . Eventually Kim Bu-sik led a successful military campaign against the rebels. Myo Cheong was assassinated by his own army, and in early 1136 Pyongyang fell to the government forces. Yun Ŏn-i distinguished himself in action against the rebels, but was still banished by Kim Bu-sik as an associate of Chŏng Chi-sang. From

2948-437: The official records. In the fifth month of 1126 Yi Cha-gyŏm, his family and followers were arrested by the soldiers of Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng. Yi was banished to Jeolla province and later beheaded. Banished officials — Choe Hong-jae, members of Tanju Han and Cheongan Im clans and their associates — were recalled and reinstated in their positions. In the sixth month of 1126 King Injong married a daughter of Im Weonae. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng

3015-424: The padlock on the first palace gate and entered, shouting at the palace guards to surrender. The guards retreated further, locking themselves behind the inner gate and avoiding engagement. On February 26, 1126, upon discovering the bodies of his brother and son, Ch'ŏk was consumed with rage and vowed to avenge them. He forcefully entered the palace but found himself thwarted by palace guards who had retreated behind

3082-560: The palace (Yi Cha-gyŏm's disapproval was on the record as sent to him). Most of the palace, including libraries and the academy, burned down. "Countless" conspirators were killed. Injong offered to abdicate in favor of Yi Cha-gyŏm, but the latter refused. In the following government reshuffling Yi Cha-gyŏm rewarded his loyalists. However, Yi Kong-su kept his senior position in the Secretariat-Chancellery, and two Kim brothers were actually promoted, with Kim Bu-sik becoming

3149-402: The palace and held them in commemoration. Additionally, he bestowed 600 seok of rice upon each of Yi's sons. This article about a Korean politician is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ch%27%C5%8Fk Chun-gy%C5%8Fng Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng ( Korean :  척준경 ; Hanja :  拓俊京 ; ? – 1144), also sometimes known as T'ak Chun-gyŏng ( 탁준경 ),

3216-422: The palace turmoil, in which Injong lamented his own lack of virtue that could have prevented the crisis and expressed concern that the dynasty might collapse after enduring so much under previous kings. Upon reading the letter and incensed by Yi Cha-gyŏm's brazen attempts to assassinate the king, Ch'ŏk finally aligned himself with Injong . In May 1126, Ch'ŏk and his forces stormed the palace while Yi Cha-gyŏm

3283-420: The peasantry. Educational reforms were part of the package and intended to strengthen the royal authority. Injong ordered that each chu (large districts) and hyeon (district) establish a school (to prepare to the civil service examinations), thus facilitating the access of local elites to positions in the central administration. Injong completed the reconstruction of the government school system by instituting

3350-401: The plot had a confidence of Injong and a support of three senior military officers, including one commander and one deputy commander of two (out of six) regular army divisions. Several senior statesmen, such as Yi Kong-su, approved the plot in principle but advised caution. The group struck "one night in 1126". The plan involved gaining control of the palace and king's person as the first stage of

3417-569: The pressure on Goryeo by occupying Uiju (Poju) area along the Yalu river ; from their point of view it was a repair of the frontier defenses. After a suppression of unrest in Balhae a secure North-Eastern frontier allowed Jin to focus on the Song . In early 1124 Ch'oe Hong-jae and military officers associated with him plotted to overthrow Yi Cha-gyŏm, but were unsuccessful. Ch'oe and the associates were purged from their positions and exiled. Following

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3484-435: The purge Yi married one of his daughters to Injong, and increasingly filled the mid- and high-ranking government positions with his loyalists and relatives, including his five sons. He and his faction profited from seized property of the purged officials. The idea that Goryeo has to submit to Jin was still encountering resistance. The embassy dispatched in 1125 to Emperor Taizong of Jin was rejected by his officials because

3551-664: The regent over the young king, eliminating political rivals, including former allies who opposed enthroning his own grandson and unsuccessfully conspired to usurp the throne and oust Yi. In 1122, Yi bestowed upon himself the title of Duke of Hanyang ( 한양공 ; 漢陽公 ) and in 1124, discontented with his title, he elevated himself to the Duke of Joseon ( 조선국공 ; 朝鮮國公 ). Yi's already considerable power expanded significantly after marrying his two daughters to Injong , which fueled his descent into corruption. His sons built mansions side by side in Goryeo's capital, and Yi established for himself

3618-600: The rift with Ch'ŏk , eventually resulting in Ch'ŏk 's betrayal and Yi's capture and exile. Yi died in exile in Yeonggwang . Yi Cha-gyŏm was born in Kaegyŏng , the grandson of Yi Cha-yŏn, who was the father-in-law of Munjong , and the son of Yi Ho. Yi Cha-gyŏm, being related to the king, entered court service through Eumseo ( Korean :  음서 ; Hanja :  蔭敍 ), a pathway reserved for nobles that exempted them from

3685-610: The second gate. Frustrated, Ch'ŏk set the entire palace ablaze. Injong fled the fire and sought refuge in a pavilion north of the palace by the lake. Fearful that Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng would kill him and lamenting that he hadn't heeded Kim In-jon's counsel, Injong sent Yi a letter expressing his intent to abdicate. However, Yi faced challenges in accepting Injong 's decision due to public sentiment and societal norms, which viewed such actions as treason and usurpation. Yi's supporters preemptively questioned how he could accept Injong's abdication, suggesting Yi had no desire for

3752-608: The subordinate of Duke Gyerim . After Duke Gyerim became King Sukjong, he appointed Ch'ŏk as an administrative aide of the Security Council ( 추밀원별가 ; 樞密院別駕 ). Ch'ŏk fought in the wars against the Eastern Jurchens on Goryeo's northeastern border. In 1104, after the defeat of the Goryeo army led by Im Kan ( 임간 ; 林幹 ) to the forces of the Eastern Jurchens, Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng asked Im for

3819-409: The superiority of Jin, aimed to preserve independence and trade interests of Goryeo . By 1127 Song collapsed. The Jurchen armies conquered Kaifeng , and both Huizong , now retired, and the reigning emperor Qinzong were captured and exiled to Manchuria . Not long afterwards Song envoys tried to convince Goryeo officials to give them a direct overland access to the Jin and negotiate the release of

3886-574: The suppression of the Myo Cheong rebellion until his official retirement in 1142 Kim Bu-sik was an unchallenged leader of the Goryeo government. From 1140 onwards the banished supporters and associates of Myo Cheong began to be recalled and reinstated. By the early eleven forties the conflict of the Southern Song and the Jin reached an equilibrium that was formalized during the negotiates of 1141–1142 . The Southern Song emperor recognized

3953-483: The suzerainty of Emperor Xizong of Jin , paying an annual tribute of 250,000 bolts of silk and taels of silver. Goryeo exchanges several embassies with the Jin, and in 1142 Injong was formally invested as its vassal. In 1143 Injong appointed fourteen local magistrates, making another step in bringing local administration under the central control. As a result of the reforms of Yejong and Injong about one third of Goryeo 's 450 or so prefectures and counties were under

4020-455: The throne himself. Seeking to demonstrate loyalty, Yi urged Injong to reconsider, leading Injong to rescind his abdication. Scores of Injong 's co-conspirators and soldiers were either executed or exiled, and the tumultuous events of the preceding four days only strengthened Yi Cha-gyŏm's hand. Amid Injong 's realization that Yi's alliance with Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng contributed to his defeat, tensions escalated when an argument erupted between

4087-548: Was a Korean soldier and politician who lived during the Goryeo period. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng hailed from Kokju ( 곡주 ; 谷州 ; modern-day Koksan County , North Korea) and was the son of Ch'ŏk Wi-gong ( 척위공 ; 拓謂恭 ), of the Koksan Ch'ŏk clan. He was of a poor hyangni (local functionary) background. Due to the poverty of his family, he was unable to pursue his education and instead associated with delinquents. He would become

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4154-572: Was a popular prophecy that a man of the sippal cha , or eighteen child, an anagram on the Chinese character for the surname Yi, would become king and the transfer his court to the Southern Capital (modern Seoul), leading Goryeo to a renewed prosperity. Yi Cha-gyŏm is alleged to believe in this prophecy, based on his family name and a location of the family seat in Incheon , close to Seoul . Attempts of Yi to further aggrandize his station are

4221-403: Was a prominent figure in Goryeo's court and vehemently against the war with the Jurchens . In 1109, Yi Cha-gyŏm's daughter bore a son, who would later ascend as Goryeo 's 17th monarch, Injong of Goryeo ( r.  1122–1146 ). In 1122, after Yejong died of cancer, Yi Cha-gyŏm installed his young grandson as the next king of Goryeo . Subsequently, Yi Cha-gyŏm enjoyed near-absolute power as

4288-530: Was appointed the minister of personnel ( 이부상서 ; 吏部尙書 ; ibu sangsŏ ) and the assistant executive in political affairs ( 참지정사 ; 參知政事 ; ch'amjijŏngsa ). On January 20, 1126, Ch'ŏk would be promoted to the vice-director of the Chancellery ( 문하시랑평장사 ; 門下侍郎平章事 ; munhasirang p'yŏngjangsa ). On March 20, 1126, loyalists of King Injong attempted to assassinate Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng and remove their influence on

4355-419: Was demoted and banished in 1127. After the fall of Yi Cha-gyŏm the government was dominated by Kyeongju Kim and Han An-in/ Cheongan Im clans. Provincial clans, particularly from the Western Capital (Seogeong, modern Pyongyang ) area were important in toppling Yi Cha-gyŏm and contended for a larger share in the decision-making. Paek Su-han, Chong Chi-sang, a famous poet and Confucian scholar, and Myo Cheong ,

4422-650: Was occupied with state affairs, unaware of the unfolding events. Ch'ŏk had already moved Injong to a secure location. Upon realizing the shift in fortunes and understanding the situation was no longer in his favor, Yi Cha-gyŏm surrendered himself without resistance, and without wearing his official robe. Yi's fall came only three months after the palace fire. Yi was exiled to Yeonggwang and died in December of 1126. During his exile in South Jeolla Province , Yi allegedly ate dried yellow corvina and coined

4489-548: Was sent into exile. However, just a year later in 1127, Ch'ŏk himself was impeached from his offices by Chŏng Chi-sang ( 정지상 ; 鄭知常 ) and sent into exile. Ch'ŏk died in 1144. Injong of Goryeo Injong (29 October 1109 – 10 April 1146), personal name Wang Hae , was the 17th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty . He was the eldest son of King Yejong and Queen Sundeok , the daughter of Yi Cha-gyŏm . His reign saw two major internal crises that nearly ended

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