Choe Hang
Encyclopedia
Choe Hang was the third dictator of the Choe Military regime, which dominated Goryeo
for six decades before and during the Mongol invasions. Choe Hang continued on his predecessor Choe U
's anti-Mongol policy, and refused to surrender to the invaders
. It is believed that the Choe Military Regime began to decline during his eight-year reign.
, the second dictator of the Choe Military regime, and a concubine. His grandfather, Choe Chungheon, was the founder of the military regime, and the second head of the Ubong Choe clan. Choe Hang spent most of his youth in the Cholla Provinces studying Son Buddhism thought as a monk with his brother Manjong. Choe Hang's father, Choe U, originally intended for his son-in-law, Kim Yakson, and then his grandson, Kim Chong, to be his successors, but both were exiled and banished as a result of disagreements. Upon seeing the need to secure an heir, Choe U decided on establishing Hang as his successor. Choe U called Hang in from the Cholla Provinces and placed him in the tutelage of some of Goryeo's finest scholars of the time. Hang was promoted to Minister of Revenue, and within a year, he entered into the Security Council. Around this time, Hang was given five hundred house soldiers. Finally, in the eleventh month of 1249, Choe U died, after which the Choe bodyguards almost instantly went to guard Hang's house.
bestowed the title of 'Duke of Chinyang', which was a title that Choe U had been given, on Choe Hang. Shortly after, Hang was promoted to the Head of Security Council, the Ministries of Civil Personnel and Military Affairs.
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
for six decades before and during the Mongol invasions. Choe Hang continued on his predecessor Choe U
Choe U
Choe Woo was the second Choe dictator of the Ubong Choe Military regime. He himself went out on the battlefield to lead in fighting off the Mongolian invasions. Then he realized that the government was no longer safe at the capital city of Kaesong, and so he forced the king and his officials to...
's anti-Mongol policy, and refused to surrender to the invaders
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire , initially named as Greater Mongol State was a great empire during the 13th and 14th centuries...
. It is believed that the Choe Military Regime began to decline during his eight-year reign.
Background and Rise to Power
Choe Hang was born the son of Choe UChoe U
Choe Woo was the second Choe dictator of the Ubong Choe Military regime. He himself went out on the battlefield to lead in fighting off the Mongolian invasions. Then he realized that the government was no longer safe at the capital city of Kaesong, and so he forced the king and his officials to...
, the second dictator of the Choe Military regime, and a concubine. His grandfather, Choe Chungheon, was the founder of the military regime, and the second head of the Ubong Choe clan. Choe Hang spent most of his youth in the Cholla Provinces studying Son Buddhism thought as a monk with his brother Manjong. Choe Hang's father, Choe U, originally intended for his son-in-law, Kim Yakson, and then his grandson, Kim Chong, to be his successors, but both were exiled and banished as a result of disagreements. Upon seeing the need to secure an heir, Choe U decided on establishing Hang as his successor. Choe U called Hang in from the Cholla Provinces and placed him in the tutelage of some of Goryeo's finest scholars of the time. Hang was promoted to Minister of Revenue, and within a year, he entered into the Security Council. Around this time, Hang was given five hundred house soldiers. Finally, in the eleventh month of 1249, Choe U died, after which the Choe bodyguards almost instantly went to guard Hang's house.
Reign
Upon officially becoming the next Choe dictator in 1249, Choe Hang took rapid steps to securing his position. He first eliminated Officials, concubines and followers of his father, the greatest among which was the Tae family. He also eliminated all former supporters of Kim Chong, who had been banished by Choe U. He also banished many popular government figures such as Min Hui and Kim Kyongson. King GojongGojong of Goryeo
Gojong of Goryeo was the twenty-third ruler of Goryeo in present-day Korea. Gojong's reign was marked by prolonged conflict with the Mongol Empire, which sought to conquer Goryeo, ending only when the kingdom was finally vassalized in 1259...
bestowed the title of 'Duke of Chinyang', which was a title that Choe U had been given, on Choe Hang. Shortly after, Hang was promoted to the Head of Security Council, the Ministries of Civil Personnel and Military Affairs.
See also
- GoryeoGoryeoThe Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
- Choe Chungheon
- Head of government of KoreaHead of government of Korea-Military Leader/Prime Minister of Goguryeo:* Myeongnim Dap-bu * Eul Paso * Go Uru * Myeongnim Eosu * Eum-u * Sang-nu...