Hangul 숙종 Hangul 왕희 later 왕옹 Children Yejong of Goryeo McCune–Reischauer Sukchong Died 1105 | Revised Romanization Sukjong Name Sukjong Goryeo Hanja 肅宗 Hanja 王熙 later 王顒 | |
Sukjong of Goryeo (2 September 1054 – 10 November 1105) (r. 1095–1105) was the 15th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the younger brother of Sunjong. He married Myeongui, the daughter of Yu Hong.
Sukjong rose to the throne in 1095 upon the abdication of his young nephew, Heonjong. He oversaw various internal innovations, including the distribution of the country's first brass coins (in 1102) and the construction of the new Southern Capital (Namgyeong, present-day Seoul).
However, he was also faced by threats from without, most notably an 1104 invasion by the northern Jurchen tribes. Unable to repel the Jurchens by force, he sent his general Yun Gwan to raise an army and repulse them. This army is known as Byeolmuban and consisted of three separate divisions. Sukjong died the following year, while on the way to the western capital, Pyongyang. Challenges of Sukjong's reign can be summarized in his own words:
Since I was entrusted with the affairs of the state, I have always endeavoured to cautiously maintain diplomatic ties with Liao in the north and serve the Song in the south, while these days the Jurchen in the east have become enemies to be reckoned with. Making the people comfortable is the first imperative of military and political affairs, so all unnecessary corvée duties must be abolished in order for the people to live comfortably!
He was succeeded by his son Yejong.
Family
Consorts :
- Queen Myeongui of the Jeongju Yu clan (? – 14 July 1112) (명의왕후 유씨)
- King Yejong of Goryeo (11 February 1079 – 15 May 1122) (고려 예종)
- Wang Pil, Prince Sangdang (? – 1099) (왕필 상당후)
- Prince Wonmyeong (1090 – 1141) (원명국사)
- Wang Bo, Prince Daebang (? – 16 June 1128) (왕보 대방공)
- Wang Hyo, Prince Daewon (1093 – January 1170) (왕효 대원공)
- Wang Seo, Prince Jean (? – 14 February 1131) (왕서 제안공)
- Wang Gyo, Prince Tongui (1097 – 19 April 1119) (왕교 통의후)
- Princess Daeryeong (? – 1114) (대령궁주)
- Princess Heungsu (? – 1123) (흥수궁주)
- Princess Ansu (안수궁주)
- Princess Boknyeong (1096 – 1133) (복녕궁주)