Heondeok of Silla
Encyclopedia
Heondeok of Silla (r. 809–826) was the 41st to rule the Korea
n kingdom of Silla
. He was the younger brother of King Soseong
, and served as regent during the reign of Aejang
.
In 790, Heondeok traveled to Tang China where he distinguished himself and received a high position. He returned to Silla, becoming regent after the death of his brother. In 809, he slew the now-adult Aejang and took the throne for himself.
In 810, Heondeok repaired the country's irrigation facilities. He also sent his son Kim Heon-jang to Tang with gold and silver Buddhist images to pray for the emperor's eternal peace.
Heondeok's later reign saw the rebellion of Kim Heon-chang in 822, and that of Kim's son in the following year. Both were suppressed. In 824, troubled by threats from the north, the king ordered a 300-ri-long wall built near the Taedong River
, which was then the country's northern border.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n kingdom of Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
. He was the younger brother of King Soseong
Soseong of Silla
Soseong of Silla was the 39th to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the grandson of King Wonseong, his father Kim In-gyeom having died before he could take the throne. He married Lady Gyehwa, the daughter of the daeachan Suk-myeong.Soseong died only nineteen months after taking the throne...
, and served as regent during the reign of Aejang
Aejang of Silla
Aejang of Silla was the 40th ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the eldest son of King Soseong and Queen Gyehwa. He married a lady of the Pak clan....
.
In 790, Heondeok traveled to Tang China where he distinguished himself and received a high position. He returned to Silla, becoming regent after the death of his brother. In 809, he slew the now-adult Aejang and took the throne for himself.
In 810, Heondeok repaired the country's irrigation facilities. He also sent his son Kim Heon-jang to Tang with gold and silver Buddhist images to pray for the emperor's eternal peace.
Heondeok's later reign saw the rebellion of Kim Heon-chang in 822, and that of Kim's son in the following year. Both were suppressed. In 824, troubled by threats from the north, the king ordered a 300-ri-long wall built near the Taedong River
Taedong River
The Taedong River is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o. In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung...
, which was then the country's northern border.