Mokjong of Goryeo


Mokjong, personal name Wang Song, was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.

Reign

Born as Wang Song, Mokjong was the only son of King Gyeongjong; however, when his father died, he was too young to become king, so it was his uncle, prince Gaeryeong Wang Ch'i, who succeeded to the throne as King Seongjong. Mokjong eventually became king after his uncle's death in 997 and chose his mother, Queen Honae, as regent.
Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa as well as his various efforts to reorganize the military system and rebuild Pyongyang's castle to strengthen Goryeo's northern defenses early in his reign. He is also remembered for a plot by his mother, Queen Honae and her lover Kim Ch'i-yang to overthrow him. Queen Honae and Kim sought to replace Mokjong with their child, whom they had presented as a son of Mokjong's father, Gyeongjong of Goryeo, which Mokjong sought to prevent as it would have meant the end of the House of Wang's rule over Goryeo. Further complicating the situation was Mokjong's homosexuality, which led to his lack of heirs, and his sexuality would be used as an excuse for his eventual overthrow. Mokjong called in General Kang to stop Queen Honae and Kim's coup, but in the process, Mokjong himself was dethroned by general Kang Cho on charges that he had neglected the defense of the country which was in imminent danger from an invasion by the Khitan Liao as well as allegations that his homosexuality was a "sickness" and was forcefully sent into exile in Chungju. However, he was slain before he arrived there.
Mokjong's tomb was known as Gongneung, but its present location is not known.

Family

  1. Queen Seonjeong of the Chungju Yu clan; maternal first cousin or paternal second cousin – No issue.
  2. Palace Lady Yoseoktaek, of the Kim clan – No issue.

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