Manjeok


Manjǒk was a slave in Goryeo era Korea. It is said that he was a slave of Choe Chung-heon, a powerful military dictator at that time.
During the reign of Ŭijong, the government relaxed the restrictions toward slaves and eunuchs by allowing them to take low offices, which caused some governmental irregularities. In the reign of Myŏngjong also saw the rise of the status of slaves. In 1197, Choe Chung-heon forced Myŏngjong to abdicate, put Sinjong on the throne, and became a military ruler with de facto control. During his government, Choe Chung-heon was less tolerant toward slaves, and several incidents involving slaves occurred in different places in Goryeo.
Manjǒk and some other slaves plotted a rebellion in 1198 against their masters in Kaesong, the capital of Goryeo. A speech of his that questioned inequality was recorded in the history book Goryeosa. Another slave revealed the plot to his own master, and the plot failed. Manjǒk and many other slaves were executed.

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