Korean monarchy existed in Korea until the end of the Japanese occupation. After the independence and the installation of the Constitution that adopted republic system, the concept of nobility has been abolished, both formally and in practice.
Ruler and princely styles
Original titles
The monarchs of Goguryeo adopted the title of "Taewang", which placed them on the same level as the Chinese emperors. The literal translation of the title is the Supreme King. The early monarchs of Silla have used the title of "Geoseogan", "Chachaung", "Isageum", and finally "Maripgan" until 503. This follows from an earlier tradition when Korean kings were styled either Han or Kan, which are cognates of the Turkic khan. Marip originally meant the highest, and gan meant rulers. In addition, Baekje used the title of "Eoraha", "Ha" meaning "rulers" and "Eora" meaning "the largest".
Imperial titles
Goguryeo adopted the title, "Taewang", meaning "Grandest of all Kings". Balhae and Goryeo monarchs adopted the title Je, or emperor. However, unlike the Goguryeo, the imperial titles were not used in diplomatic campaigns with the prominent Chinese Dynasties of that time. Goryeo dropped its Imperial title after the Mongolian takeover. The title was revived for less than two decades during the Korean Empire that came after Joseon.
Royal titles
Wang was a Chinese royal style used in many states rising from the dissolution of Gojoseon, Buyeo, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla and Balhae, Goryeo. In late Goryeo and the Joseon Dynasty the rulers of Korea were still known as "wang", as evident in the title of King Sejong the Great. However, they were referred to by their temple names. Although often translated in English as "king", this title also applied to a female ruler. Female rulers, equivalent to queen regnant in English, were informally referred to as yeowang or "female wang". Wangbi was title for the wife of the reigning king, equivalent to queen consort in English.
Prince
Gun is translated as "prince". The Royal Prince born of the Principal Royal consort was designated Daegun, translated as the Grand Prince of the Blood. The princes born of concubine was given the title gun, translated as the Prince of the Blood. The father ofthe king who himself has never reigned was given the special title of Daewongun. Those who has distinguished himself in the service of the court were also given the princely title as well. Buwongun, were the title of the father of the Queen, or those who have reached the rank of the Chief State Counsellor. Gun was the title of the meritorious subjects who reached the rank of the State Counsellor. These princes created for service had a prefix attached to the princely title, a town that a subject is affiliated to. Though designed as a titular appointment as a Lord of the area, the title was purely honorific. The title gun can also refer to the dethroned rulers of Chosŏn dynasty as well. There were three dethroned kings to be called "Gun" in Joseon Dynasty. Under the Korean Empire, the Prince of the Blood was given the title of Chinwang. While the literal translation is the Imperial King of the Blood, a more appropriate title is the Imperial Prince of the Blood. Only four chinwang were appointed.
Aristocracy before Joseon
Silla
In Silla, the nobility was categorized by the Bone rank system. Royal families split into two classes: sacred bone, which meant eligibility for the royal succession, and true bone, until the former was extinguished. Non-royal nobles split into three classes: the 6th head rank, the 5th head rank and the 4th head rank; the 6th being the highest.
Goryeo
At the time of Goryeo, Korean nobility was divided into 6 classes.
Also the title Taeja was given to sons of emperor not like other east Asian countries. In other countries, this title meant crown prince. It was similar to Chinwang of the Korean Empire.
Noble families in Korea
Some clans whose social rank throughout Korean history could be considered equivalent to nobility are as follows List of Noble families in Korea:
The Chinese Ming Xia emperor Ming Yuzhen's son Ming Sheng was given the noble title Marquis of Guiyi by the Ming dynasty emperor Zhu Yuanzhang after his surrender. Ming Sheng was then exiled to Korea and Zhu Yuanzhang asked the Korean king to treat him as a foreign noble by giving his descendants and family corvée and taxation exemptions. These were granted by a patent from the Korean king which lasted until the invading soldiers in the Qing invasion of Joseon destroyed the Ming family's patents. The Korean official Yun Hui-chong's daughter married Ming Sheng in March 1373. Ming Sheng was 17 and Chen Li was 21 when they were sent to Korea in 1372 by the Ming dynasty. The Chinese Ming family exists as the Korean clans, Yeonan Myeong clan, Seochok Myeong clan and Namwon Seung clan.
