Korean History Part 2 (Goryeo Dynasty)

 

Goryeo is a dynasty built in 1991, and has dominated the Korean Peninsula for about 475 years until 1392. Goryeo is a dynasty designed after the catastrophe of Silla and Silla, centered on the ancestors, and was influenced by Silla in the early days of Goryeo, but gradually formed its own politics, economy and culture.

The political system of the Goryeo Dynasty was a royal monarchy, and the king as well as bureaucrats and aristocrats occupied an important status. The kingship was relatively strong, but in the early days of Goryeo, the aristocracy was strong, and the power struggle between the kingship and the aristocracy occurred. But after the middle of Goryeo, the kingship was strengthened and the royal governing power was restored.

In the Goryeo Dynasty, Buddhism flourished and had a great influence on the religious faith and cultural life of the people. In particular, Sunjong Buddhism is the mainstream, and the representative temples include Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Rock, a Buddhist temple of Gyeongju, built under the direction of the ancestors of the Goryeo Dynasty. In addition, in the Goryeo Dynasty, culture and arts developed, and as the support of the ancestors, students and writers were educated Confucianism, and various literary works such as poetry, novels, and papers were created. In the middle of the Goryeo, "Samguk Sagi" and "Koryosa" were written in the history books that recorded the political achievements and ideology of the ancestors of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Also, in the Goryeo Dynasty, agriculture and commerce developed. The expansion of the rice fields and the easy transportation through the Kumho River and the Nakdong River increased agricultural productivity. In addition, the ancestors created a tax reform and a unified market to revitalize commercial activities, and trade with overseas. Overseas trade in the Goryeo Dynasty was mainly made with China, Japan and Southeast Asia, especially in trade with China.

However, in the Goryeo Dynasty, Mongolia invasion occurred several times due to external threats. In the 13th century, there was a massive invasion in Goryeo through the Mongolian Empire's Cheonjangseong, and Koryo defeated Mongolia and maintained independence. Through this invasion and war of Mongolia, Goryeo strengthened the unity of the country and became more powerful.

The Goryeo Dynasty is an important time in the history of the Korean Peninsula, and is an era of Korean culture, politics, and economy. Since then, the end of the Goryeo Dynasty has led to the Joseon Dynasty and has become a historical turning point on the Korean peninsula.

The kings of the Goryeo Dynasty continued to 27. Next, we will list the kings of the Goryeo Dynasty.

1. Taejo (Wang Gun, 918-943)
2. Jeongjong (943-945)
3. Gyeongjong (945-949)
4. Seongjong (949-1975)
5. Neutral (976 -997)
6. Sunjong (998-1009)
7. Hyunjong (1010-1031)
8. Deokjong (1032 -1034)
9. Jeongsuk (1034 -1036)
10. Cheoljong (1036 -1046)
11. Hyejong (1046 -1083)
12. Munjong (1083 -1094)
13. Obedience (1095 -1105)
14. Race (1105-1122)
15. Yejong (1122-1146)
16. Gyeongjong (1146 -1170)
17. Sukjong (1170-1197)
18. Operations (1197-1204)
19. Polypes (1204-1911)
20. Wonjong (1211-1213)
21. Moonjong (1213-1259)
22. Obedience (1260-1274)
23. Yejong (1274-1308)
24. Cheoljong (1308-1313)
25. Myungjong (1313-1330)
26. Changjong (1330-1332)
27. Gwangjong (1332-1344)
This is the 27th kings of the Goryeo Dynasty.

The most recognized king of the kings of the Goryeo Dynasty is Taejo (Wang Gun), also known as "King Gwanggaeto Great." Taejo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, and in 1991, he established Goryeo and was crowned king. In the process of establishing Goryeo, he checked the influence of Silla and Hubaekje, and reinforced the power of Goryeo by unifying the north pearl and southern Silla.

Taejo carried out policies to focus on public lives with talented people including Ahn Chang -ho, and focused on the nation's economic development and military power. In addition, Buddhism was recognized as a universal national religion, and Zenjong was important to promote the development of culture and art.

Taejo has achieved the political unification of the Goryeo Dynasty and the stability of the state, and is considered to have made great contributions to laying the foundation of the Goryeo Dynasty. His rule became the successful starting point of the Koryo Dynasty, and the wisdom and power of Taejo gave great inspiration to the later kings. For this reason, Taejo is one of the most recognized and respected kings in the Goryeo Dynasty.