Mokjong of Goryeo (5 July 980 – 2 March 1009), personal name Wang Song, was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.

Mokjong of Goryeo
고려 목종
高麗 穆宗
King of Goryeo
Reign997 – 2 March 1009
Coronation997
Gaegyeong, Goryeo
PredecessorSeongjong of Goryeo
SuccessorHyeonjong of Goryeo
BornWang Song
5 July 980
Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Died2 March 1009 (aged 28)
Jeokseong-hyeon, Gaeseong-bu, Gaegyeong, Goryeo
Burial
Gongneung (공릉, 恭陵) → Uireung (의릉, 義陵)
Queen ConsortQueen Seonjeong
ConcubineLady Yoseok
Posthumous name
Great King Hyosa Wihye Geukyeong Jeonggong Seonyang
효사위혜극영정공선양대왕
(孝思威惠克英定恭宣讓大王)
Temple name
Minjong (민종, 愍宗) → Mokjong (목종, 穆宗)
HouseWang
DynastyGoryeo
FatherGyeongjong of Goryeo
MotherQueen Heonae
Korean name
Hangul
목종
Hanja
Revised RomanizationMokjong
McCune–ReischauerMokchong
Birth name
Hangul
왕송
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWang Song
McCune–ReischauerWang Song
Courtesy name
Hangul
효신
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHyosin
McCune–ReischauerHyosin
Posthumous name
Hangul
선양대왕
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSeonyang Daewang
McCune–ReischauerSŏnyang Taewang

Reign

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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 Chi, who succeeded to the throne as King Seongjong.[1] Mokjong eventually became king after his uncle's death in 997 and chose his mother, Queen Honae, as regent.[1]

Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa (land-allotment system) 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.[2] He is also remembered for a plot by his mother, Queen Honae and her lover Kim Ch'i-yang to overthrow him.[3] 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 Wang Clan's rule over Goryeo.[3][2] 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.[2] 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.[4][2] However, he was slain before he arrived there.[1]

Mokjong's tomb was known as Gongneung, but its present location is not known.

Family

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

Mokjong is on record as having kept several wonchung ("male lovers") in their courts as “little-brother attendants” (chajewhi) who served as sexual partners.[5]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "목종[穆宗] - 비극적 결말에 가려진 12년의 치세". contents.history.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-11-07.
  2. ^ a b c d 김, 경순 (February 25, 2020). "고려 : 7대 목종, 게이의 슬픔". 수완뉴스. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "[Why] [이한우의 역사속의 Why] 고려 목종을 폐립시킨 강조". Chosun Ilbo. January 31, 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  4. ^ Choe, Chong Dae (February 19, 2013). "Patriotism of Goryeo General Ha Gong-jin". Korea Times. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  5. ^ Hyung-Ki Choi; et al. "South Korea (Taehan Min'guk)". International Encyclopedia of Sexuality. Continuum Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
Mokjong of Goryeo
Born: 5 July 980 Died: 2 March 1009
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Goryeo
997–1009
Succeeded by