Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn
Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn (Korean: 최충헌; Hanja: 崔忠獻; 1149 – 29 October 1219) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period.
Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn 최충헌 | |
|---|---|
| Military Leader of Goryeo | |
| Imperial Guardian | |
| In office 1196–1219 | |
| Monarchs | Myeongjong of Goryeo Sinjong of Goryeo Huijong of Goryeo Gangjong of Goryeo Gojong of Goryeo |
| Preceded by | Yi Ui-min |
| Succeeded by | Ch'oe U |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1149 Gaeseong or Gyeongju |
| Died | 29 October 1219 (aged 70) |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Song Princess Jeonghwa Princess Suseong |
| Children | Ch'oe U Ch'oe Hyang Ch'oe Ku Unnamed son Ch'oe Seong |
| Parents |
|
| Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn | |
| Hangul | 최충헌 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Choe Chung-heon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn |
Ch'oe's father was a Supreme General in the Goryeo military, hence precipitating his own entry into the military. Ch'oe witnessed military men become all-powerful in the quick succession of military leaders who deposed one another.
Ch'oe plotted against the long-standing Council of Generals (Jungbang), feigning fealty to the newly promoted supreme general and council head, a slave's son, Yi Ŭi-min. After many years of humiliation and hardship, Ch'oe and his subordinates launched a coup d'état while Yi was away. After destroying the Council of Generals and killing Yi, he became a prominent leader. Ch'oe established a new military-style regime that he did not have full power over but was eventually successful.
Although the coup was a success, Ch'oe did not take full power. Ch'oe became Prime Minister of the State and Royal Protector, seeing the abdication of 4 kings (asked for 2 of the 4), 3 rebellions, and numerous attempts on his life. Finally, during the early reign of King Gojong, Ch'oe retired, handing his position to his eldest son Ch'oe U (though not without bloodshed as his youngest attempted to take it for himself). Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn died of age at 71 in 1219.
Until the death of Ch'oe's grandsons, the Ch'oe family reigned supreme over the political and military landscape of Goryeo. Ch'oe U, Ch'oe Hang, and Ch'oe Ŭi passed the legacy of Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn for sixty years until the assassination of Ch'oe Ŭi.