Wonjong of Goryeo

"Wonjong" redirects here. For other uses, see Wonjong (disambiguation).

Wonjong (5 April 1219 – 23 July 1274), personal name Wang Chŏng, was the 24th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea, reigning from 1260 to 1274. His rule was briefly interrupted by that of King Yeongjong in 1269, although the legitimacy of the latter is disputed by scholars.

Wonjong 원종 元宗
King of Goryeo
First reign	1260–1269
Coronation	1260
Predecessor	Gojong of Goryeo
Successor	Yeongjong of Goryeo
Second reign	1269–1274
Coronation	1269
Predecessor	Yeongjong of Goryeo
Successor	Chungnyeol of Goryeo
King Emeritus of Goryeo
Reign	1269–1269 (five months)
Coronation	1269
Predecessor	Position established
Successor	King Emeritus Wang Sim
Born	Wang Jeon 5 April 1219 Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Died	23 July 1274 (1274-07-24) (aged 55) Jesang Palace, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Burial	Soreung (소릉; 韶陵)
Spouse	Queen Jeongsun ​ ​ (m. 1235; died 1237)​ Princess Gyeongchang ​ ​ (m. 1244⁠–⁠1274)​
Issue	Sons: Wang Geo Wang Tae Wang Jong Wang Ikjang Daughters: A daughter Princess Gyeongan Princess Hamnyeong
Posthumous name Great King Sunhyo (순효대왕, 順孝大王; given by Goryeo dynasty) King Chunggyeong (충경왕, 忠敬王; given by Yuan dynasty in 1310) Temple name Wonjong (원종; 元宗)
House	Wang
Dynasty	Goryeo
Father	Gojong of Goryeo
Mother	Queen Anhye
Religion	Buddhism

Korean name
Hangul	원종
Hanja	元宗
Revised Romanization	Wonjong
McCune–Reischauer	Wŏnjong
Birth name
Hangul	왕전, 왕식, later 왕정
Hanja	王倎, 王植, later 王禎
Revised Romanization	Wang Jeon, Wang Sik, later Wang Jeong
McCune–Reischauer	Wang Chŏn, Wang Sik, later Wang Chŏng
Courtesy name
Hangul	일신
Hanja	日新
Revised Romanization	Ilsin
McCune–Reischauer	Ilsin
Posthumous name
Hangul	순효대왕
Hanja	順孝大王
Revised Romanization	Sunhyo Daewang
McCune–Reischauer	Sunhyo Taewang

Biography

His father, Gojong of Goryeo, sent Wonjong when he was the Crown Prince, to meet with Kublai Khan to negotiate with the Mongols after decades of warfare during the Mongol invasions of Korea. During this time, Kublai was in the middle of a power struggle with Ariq Böke whom was residing in Karakorum while Kublai himself was participating in the Chinese Campaign. Having the Goryeo crown prince come before him to concede after decades of fighting, Kublai Khan was jubilant and said "Goryeo is a country that long ago even Tang Taizong personally campaigned against but was unable to defeat. But now, its crown prince has come before me, and this be the will of heaven as it is!"^[1][2][3]

Reign

He ascended the throne with the help of Kublai Khan.^[4] During his reign, Goryeo became a vassal of the Mongol-founded Yuan dynasty in China.^[5]

In 1269, the military leader Im Yon engineered a coup d'état to remove Wonjong. Kublai Khan dispatched 3,000 troops to oust the forces of the rebel. Wonjong visited the imperial court in 1271 after his re-accession.

Wonjong was the eldest son of the previous king, Gojong.

Family

• Father: Gojong of Goryeo
  • Grandfather: Gangjong of Goryeo
  • Grandmother: Queen Wondeok of the Kaeseong Wang clan
• Mother: Queen Anhye of the Yu clan
  • Grandfather: Huijong of Goryeo
  • Grandmother: Queen Seongpyeong of the Jangheung Im clan
• Consorts and their Respective issue(s):

1. Queen Jeongsun of the Gyeongju Kim clan
   1. Crown Prince Wang Geo, 1st son
   2. 1st daughter
2. Princess Gyeongchang of the Yu clan, seventh cousin once removed.
   1. Wang Yi, Marquess Siyang, 2nd son
   2. Wang Jong, Marquess Sunan, 3rd son
   3. Princess Gyeongan, 2nd daughter
   4. Princess Hamnyeong, 3rd daughter
3. Unknown, from a Palace maid (궁인)
   1. Wang Ik-jang (왕익장), 4th son

See also

• List of Korean monarchs
• List of Goryeo people
• Goryeo
• Mongol invasions of Korea
• Korea under Yuan rule