Sinmu of Silla
Encyclopedia
Sinmu of Silla (born Ujing) was the 45th monarch of the Korean kingdom of Silla
. His reign was the briefest in the state's history, lasting only from the fourth to the seventh lunar month
of 839.
Sinmu was the son of the Sangdaedeung
Kim Gyunjeong (?–836), a descendant of King Wonseong
(r. 785-798) and cousin to King Heungdok
(r. 826–838). Upon the death of King Heungdok in 836 a succession struggle erupted between Kim Gyunjeong and his nephew, Kim Jeryung (?–838). Ujing and his follower, Kim Yang supported Gyunjeong, while Kim Myeong
and Kim Rihong stood by Jeryung. Jeryung's party ultimately triumphed and Gyunjeong was killed. Kim Jeryung was then crowned as King Huigang
in 836.
Yang escaped, but Ujing did not. Though being pardoned promptly by the new king, he soon became threatened by Myeong who became Sangdaedeung
. So in 837, Ujing fled and entrusted himself with Jang Bogo
in Cheonghaejin
. However, a year later, Myeong fomented a revolt against King Huigang
which killed several of the King's aides. Faced with defeat, King Huigang committed suicide. Kim Myeong then ascended the throne as King Minae. Kim Yang, who was then concealing himself on a mountain near the capital, heard the news and raised up an army to go to Cheonghaejin
. He told Ujing of these events and persuaded him to have his revenge. Ujing asked Jang Bogo
to help him to take advantage of the confusion of the country and to make himself a king. Jang Bogo
agreed and had his friend Jeong Nyeon also follow Ujing. In 839, Ujing and his followers defeated King Minae's army at the battle of Daegu
and quickly advanced upon the capital. All the king's aides then ran away leaving the king behind, so the king hid himself in a villa near the royal palace. Soldiers came into the palace and searched for the king. Finally, they found the king in the villa and killed him in spite of his pleas. Kim Rihong was also killed. Ujing then placed himself on the throne as King Sinmu.
He died three months later from disease and was buried on Mt. Jehyeong in the Silla capital of Gyeongju
.
It is also said that Sinmu dreamed of seeing the dead Rihong shooting an arrow into him. Sinmu awoke with a start when the arrow hit him, but the wound remained real, becoming worse and worse, finally leading to his death.
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
. His reign was the briefest in the state's history, lasting only from the fourth to the seventh lunar month
Lunisolar calendar
A lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. If the solar year is defined as a tropical year then a lunisolar calendar will give an indication of the season; if it is taken as a sidereal year then the calendar will...
of 839.
Sinmu was the son of the Sangdaedeung
Sangdaedeung
Sangdaedeung was an office of the Silla state equivalent to the European King's/Queen's Counsel. The Sangdaedeung was chosen from among those men of “true bone” lineage in Silla‘s strict aristocratic social order...
Kim Gyunjeong (?–836), a descendant of King Wonseong
Wonseong of Silla
Wonseong of Silla was the 38th to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was a twelfth-generation descendant of King Naemul. His father was Kim Hyo-yang, and his mother was Lady Gye-o, the daughter of Pak Chang-do...
(r. 785-798) and cousin to King Heungdok
Heungdeok of Silla
Heungdeok of Silla was the 42nd ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the younger brother of King Heondeok. He was married to Queen Jeongmok, the daughter of King Soseong....
(r. 826–838). Upon the death of King Heungdok in 836 a succession struggle erupted between Kim Gyunjeong and his nephew, Kim Jeryung (?–838). Ujing and his follower, Kim Yang supported Gyunjeong, while Kim Myeong
Minae of Silla
Minae of Silla was the 44th ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was a great-grandson of King Wonseong, and the son of Daeachan Kim Chung-gong. His mother was a Pak, Lady Gwibo. He married the daughter of Gakgan Kim Yeong-gong.Being of true bone rank, Minae rose to the rank of sangdaedeung...
and Kim Rihong stood by Jeryung. Jeryung's party ultimately triumphed and Gyunjeong was killed. Kim Jeryung was then crowned as King Huigang
Huigang of Silla
Huigang of Silla was the 43rd ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the grandson of King Wonseong and the son of ichan Kim Heon-jeong by Lady Podo. He married Lady Munmok, who was the daughter of daeachan Chunggong....
in 836.
Yang escaped, but Ujing did not. Though being pardoned promptly by the new king, he soon became threatened by Myeong who became Sangdaedeung
Sangdaedeung
Sangdaedeung was an office of the Silla state equivalent to the European King's/Queen's Counsel. The Sangdaedeung was chosen from among those men of “true bone” lineage in Silla‘s strict aristocratic social order...
. So in 837, Ujing fled and entrusted himself with Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo , also known as Gungbok, rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively controlled the West Sea and Korean coast between southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula...
in Cheonghaejin
Cheonghaejin
Cheonghaejin was a major military headquarters and trading hub located on nowadays Wando island, South Jeolla province of South Korea established by Korean general, Jang Bogo in 828 ACE during the Silla kingdom period...
. However, a year later, Myeong fomented a revolt against King Huigang
Huigang of Silla
Huigang of Silla was the 43rd ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the grandson of King Wonseong and the son of ichan Kim Heon-jeong by Lady Podo. He married Lady Munmok, who was the daughter of daeachan Chunggong....
which killed several of the King's aides. Faced with defeat, King Huigang committed suicide. Kim Myeong then ascended the throne as King Minae. Kim Yang, who was then concealing himself on a mountain near the capital, heard the news and raised up an army to go to Cheonghaejin
Cheonghaejin
Cheonghaejin was a major military headquarters and trading hub located on nowadays Wando island, South Jeolla province of South Korea established by Korean general, Jang Bogo in 828 ACE during the Silla kingdom period...
. He told Ujing of these events and persuaded him to have his revenge. Ujing asked Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo , also known as Gungbok, rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively controlled the West Sea and Korean coast between southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula...
to help him to take advantage of the confusion of the country and to make himself a king. Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo , also known as Gungbok, rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively controlled the West Sea and Korean coast between southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula...
agreed and had his friend Jeong Nyeon also follow Ujing. In 839, Ujing and his followers defeated King Minae's army at the battle of Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
and quickly advanced upon the capital. All the king's aides then ran away leaving the king behind, so the king hid himself in a villa near the royal palace. Soldiers came into the palace and searched for the king. Finally, they found the king in the villa and killed him in spite of his pleas. Kim Rihong was also killed. Ujing then placed himself on the throne as King Sinmu.
He died three months later from disease and was buried on Mt. Jehyeong in the Silla capital of Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
.
It is also said that Sinmu dreamed of seeing the dead Rihong shooting an arrow into him. Sinmu awoke with a start when the arrow hit him, but the wound remained real, becoming worse and worse, finally leading to his death.