Hyejong of Goryeo


Hyejong of Goryeo was the second King of Goryeo. He was preceded by King Taejo and succeeded by Jeongjong, 3rd Monarch of Goryeo.

Early life

Hyejong was born to King Taejo and his second wife, Janghwa of the "Oh" clan. She was the daughter of the Magistrate of Naju, Oh Daryeon. Taejo met and married her while serving in Naju as a general of Taebong under Gung Ye.
In 921, Hyejong was proclaimed Crown Prince and Royal Successor with support from General Bak Sul-Hui. Almost immediately after being named Crown Prince, Hyejong followed his father Taejo into battle against Later Baekje and played a major role in numerous victories. In 943, Hyejong rose to the throne upon his father's death.

Reign

Hyejong's reign was marked with conspiracy and power struggles among Taejo's sons. The first of these conspiracies was led by Princes Wang Yo and Wang So, sons of Taejo and his third consort, Queen Sinmyeongsunseong of the Chungju Yu clan, which possessed considerable political influence. Upon realizing the conspiracy by the two princes, Wang Gyu warned Hyejong of the conspiracy, but plotted to put his grandson on the throne when Hyejong did nothing to stop the conspiracy of the two princes.

Death

Hyejong died in 945, during the second year of his reign from mercury poisoning in his bath water. He had a disease most commonly known as eczema which caused his to have red itchy patches on his skin and difficulty breathing. He was succeeded by his third brother Jeongjong, 3rd Monarch of Goryeo who had claimed the throne via force..

Family

  1. Queen Uihwa of the Jincheon Im clan
  2. # Prince Heunghwa
  3. # Lady Gyeonghwa
  4. # Princess Jeongheon
  5. Lady Hugwangju
  6. Lady Cheongju of the Cheongju Kim clan
  7. Court Lady Aeyijoo
  8. # Crown Prince Je
  9. # Lady Myeonghye

    In popular culture