Yi Cha-gyŏm (died on 19 January 1127) was a politician, soldier, regent, and poet in twelfth-century Goryeo . Born into a noble family, Yi rose to power through strategic marriages and political maneuvering, becoming a pivotal figure in the royal court. His career was marked by ambitious political schemes and alliances, including marriages of his daughters to kings, which further consolidated his authority. Goryeosa , where it catalogs notable traitors throughout Goryeo history, dedicates a biography to Yi's service and corruption in the royal court.
31-410: At the height of his power, Yi Cha-gyŏm wielded significant influence and raised private armies. His corruption and arrogance strained relations with the king, and climaxed in disturbances which saw the main royal palace building set ablaze, though Yi emerged victorious against the king with the help of the powerful military general, Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . Yet, Yi's repeated attempts to poison the king widened
62-620: A court office ( 숭덕부 ; 崇德府 ) traditionally reserved for princes or the queen, thereby positioning himself as equivalent to the crown prince or queen. Corruption and bribery pervaded Goryeo's capital . One day, Yi Cha-gyŏm dispatched a private envoy to the Song dynasty , seeking appointment as the king's regent ( 지군국사 ; 知軍國事 ), without consulting Injong . Later, Yi demanded ex post facto that Injong recognize him as such. Enraged, Injong refused and resolved to remove Yi Cha-gyŏm from power. In 1126, several of Injong 's trusted advisors devised
93-525: A crime, but general Yun Kwan recognized Ch'ŏk's martial talents and got the royal court to release Ch'ŏk from jail. In 1108, he served under general Yun during Yun's invasion of the Jurchens. On January 18, 1108, Yun began the war against the Jurchens. He invited prominent Jurchen chiefs to a banquet and got them drunk. Yun had Ch'ŏk and Kim Pu-p'il ambush and kill the Jurchen chiefs. On January 29, Yun, Ch'ŏk and
124-500: A plan to eliminate Yi Cha-gyŏm. With Injong 's consent, they intended to enlist support from military generals who harbored animosity toward Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng , a close ally and relative of Yi. Injong dispatched one of his eunuchs to seek counsel from Kim In-jon. Although Kim In-jon agreed in principle to eliminating Yi, he cautioned that it would be challenging due to Ch'ŏk 's influence in the military. Nevertheless, Injong remained determined and ordered Yi's removal. Yi became aware of
155-557: A slave after the king's death. After the impeachment, Yi struggled to re-enter government for a while until he married his second daughter to Yejong of Goryeo ( r. 1105–1122 ) in 1107. The union was Yejong 's effort to appease the court officials who protested his military campaign against the Jurchens , since Yi Cha-gyŏm's father-in-law, Ch'oe Sa-chu, wielded significance political influence in Goryeo and Yi's brother-in-law, Kim In-jon,
186-617: A slave of Yi's son, Yi Chi-ŏn, and one belonging to Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . During the dispute, Yi Chi-ŏn's slave accused Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng of setting fire to the royal palace, suggesting he deserved execution. When Ch'ŏk learned of the accusation. he stormed to Yi Cha-gyŏm's house, publicly disrobing himself and loudly demanding that the authorities adjudicate his alleged crime. At the scene, Yi Cha-gyŏm refused to offer an apology. Later, after Ch'ŏk had returned home, Yi attempted reconciliation by sending his sons to ease tensions, but Ch'ŏk remained unappeased, vehemently blaming Yi and his family for
217-501: A weapon and an armoured horse. Ch'ŏk rode into the enemy camp and slew one of the enemy commanders, and killed with his bow two more enemy commanders who tried to pursue him as he returned from the Jurchen camp. Ch'ŏk's act was able to allow the defeated remnants of the Goryeo army to retreat from the battlefield. Ch'ŏk was rewarded with an appointment as the Ch'onu-wi recorder adjutant ( 천우위녹사 참군사 ; 千牛衛錄事參軍事 ). At some point, Ch'ŏk committed
248-476: The civil service examination . Yi Cha-gyŏm's father, Yi Ho, solidified his family ties to royalty by marrying his second daughter to Sunjong of Goryeo . Just by virtue of being a brother of a queen consort, Yi Cha-gyŏm was appointed to high office. But Sunjong of Goryeo died within three years of ascending to the throne, and Yi soon after lost office as a result of Yi Cha-gyŏm's sister, the queen consort, being found having an inappropriate romantic relationship with
279-501: The Executive of Secretariat-Chancellery ( 문하시랑 판병부사 ; 門下侍郞 判兵部事 ), giving him command of the armed forces. The remaining aristocratic rivals of Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng plotted to overthrow them by turning them against each other. The schemers convinced Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng to betray his ally Yi. Three months after the assassination plot had been foiled, Ch'ŏk and his soldiers would arrest Yi Cha-gyŏm and his political allies. Yi
310-409: The Goryeo army reached Sŏksŏng ( 석성 ; 石城 ). The Jurchen defenders refused to surrender and Goryeo army faced stiff resistance. Yun asked Ch'ŏk to attack the fort alongside General Yi Kwan-jin ( 이관진 ; 李冠珍 ). Ch'ŏk instead told Yun that he would repay Yun's favour in releasing him from prison even if it meant losing his life. He then put on his armour and took a shield, and scaled the walls of
341-456: The Jurchen ambushers until Goryeo reinforcements led by Ch'oe Hong-jong ( 최홍정 ; 崔弘正 ) and Yi Kwan-jin arrived. When the Jurchens lifted the ambush, Ch'ŏk pursued them and beheaded 36 Jurchen soldiers. Yun Kwan told Ch'ŏk that he would now regard Ch'ŏk as if he were his own son. For his contributions during the war, Ch'ŏk was promoted to the office of audience usher ( 합문지후 ; 閤門祗候 ; hammun chihu ) and an assistant office chief of
SECTION 10
#1732859001523372-510: The Ministry of Works ( 공부원외랑 ; 工部員外郎 ) by the end of the war in 1109. These promotions would have taken an ordinary civil official ten years, however Ch'ŏk as a military official had only been promoted after a period of around two years. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng would forge a strong personal relationship with Yi Cha-gyŏm , a powerful Goryeo aristocrat of the Inju Yi clan . Yi Cha-gyŏm and his clan were
403-448: The covert plot and gathered his allies to seek a resolution, but their efforts proved futile, knowing that any retaliatory action would constitute a coup d'etat. On February 25, 1126, Injong 's forces stormed the palace and killed Ch'ŏk Chun-sin, Ch'ŏk 's younger brother, and Ch'ŏk Sun, Ch'ŏk 's son. Their bodies were left scattered outside the palace. Unaware of these casualties, Ch'ŏk led some 300 Buddhist warrior monks. Ch'ŏk broke
434-637: The events leading to the palace fire. During that period, Yi Cha-gyŏm placed great trust in Korean traditional divination ( 파자점 ; 破字占 ), which involved the breakdown and analysis of Chinese characters to derive meaning or predictions. According to one divination, it was foretold that "the eighteen (十八子)" would ascend to the throne. Since Yi's family name, 李, could be interpreted as 十八子 in Chinese characters, Yi came to believe that he himself would one day become king. In pursuit of this belief, Yi once attempted to poison
465-713: The fort, killing several of the Jurchen chiefs. This allowed for Yun Kwan to conquer the fort. On February 27, Yun Kwan and his deputy commander, O Yŏn-ch'ong ( 오연총 ; 吳延寵 ), and their force of 8000 men were ambushed by a Jurchen surprise attack. Most of the Goryeo army dispersed with only around 10 soldiers remaining alongside Yun and O. O was hit by an arrow and was severely injured. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng took 10 men to aid Yun and O. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng's younger brother, Ch'ŏk Chun-sin ( 척준신 ; 拓俊臣 ), attempted to persuade Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng to not risk his life, however Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng refused to heed his brother's advice. Ch'ŏk and his men killed 10 enemy combatants and helped Yun and O fend
496-490: The government. The conspirators seized the royal palace, and killed Ch'ŏk's brother and son. However, they were unable to kill Ch'ŏk or Yi. During the night, the angered Ch'ŏk, without consulting his ally Yi, burned the royal palace to the ground to force the conspirators to surrender. On May 9 , Ch'ŏk was rewarded for suppressing the conspirators with the office of the Superintendent of the Ministry of Military Affairs and
527-406: The king, offering rice cakes through his daughter who was married to the king. However, the queen, aware of foul play, alerted Injong and foiled the assassination plan. Meanwhile, Injong became aware of the growing discord between Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng . He dispatched an advisor named Ch'oe to persuade Ch'ŏk . Ch'oe presented Ch'ŏk with a letter written by Injong the night before
558-403: The maternal in-laws of Goryeo's royal House of Wang , and he had more power and influence than the king himself. Yi would help promote Ch'ŏk and his relatives to high-ranking offices in the royal court, in exchange for Ch'ŏk's loyalty and influence over the Goryeo military. Ch'ŏk would strengthen this bond by becoming in-laws with Yi by marrying his daughter to Yi's son, Yi Chi-wŏn. In 1123, Ch'ŏk
589-415: The name "Yeonggwang Gulbi ( 영광 굴비 ; 靈光 屈非 ) ," combining the place of his exile, Yeonggwang, with "gulbi," which signifies determination or resilience, indicating his refusal to yield. Despite the usual fate of exiles being forgotten, Injong maintained respect for Yi as his maternal grandfather and childhood guardian. In a gesture of honor, Injong shared with Yi and his wife, Lady Ch'oe, tributes to
620-424: The padlock on the first palace gate and entered, shouting at the palace guards to surrender. The guards retreated further, locking themselves behind the inner gate and avoiding engagement. On February 26, 1126, upon discovering the bodies of his brother and son, Ch'ŏk was consumed with rage and vowed to avenge them. He forcefully entered the palace but found himself thwarted by palace guards who had retreated behind
651-402: The palace and held them in commemoration. Additionally, he bestowed 600 seok of rice upon each of Yi's sons. This article about a Korean politician is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ch%27%C5%8Fk Chun-gy%C5%8Fng Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng ( Korean : 척준경 ; Hanja : 拓俊京 ; ? – 1144), also sometimes known as T'ak Chun-gyŏng ( 탁준경 ),
SECTION 20
#1732859001523682-422: The palace turmoil, in which Injong lamented his own lack of virtue that could have prevented the crisis and expressed concern that the dynasty might collapse after enduring so much under previous kings. Upon reading the letter and incensed by Yi Cha-gyŏm's brazen attempts to assassinate the king, Ch'ŏk finally aligned himself with Injong . In May 1126, Ch'ŏk and his forces stormed the palace while Yi Cha-gyŏm
713-660: The regent over the young king, eliminating political rivals, including former allies who opposed enthroning his own grandson and unsuccessfully conspired to usurp the throne and oust Yi. In 1122, Yi bestowed upon himself the title of Duke of Hanyang ( 한양공 ; 漢陽公 ) and in 1124, discontented with his title, he elevated himself to the Duke of Joseon ( 조선국공 ; 朝鮮國公 ). Yi's already considerable power expanded significantly after marrying his two daughters to Injong , which fueled his descent into corruption. His sons built mansions side by side in Goryeo's capital, and Yi established for himself
744-591: The rift with Ch'ŏk , eventually resulting in Ch'ŏk 's betrayal and Yi's capture and exile. Yi died in exile in Yeonggwang . Yi Cha-gyŏm was born in Kaegyŏng , the grandson of Yi Cha-yŏn, who was the father-in-law of Munjong , and the son of Yi Ho. Yi Cha-gyŏm, being related to the king, entered court service through Eumseo ( Korean : 음서 ; Hanja : 蔭敍 ), a pathway reserved for nobles that exempted them from
775-610: The second gate. Frustrated, Ch'ŏk set the entire palace ablaze. Injong fled the fire and sought refuge in a pavilion north of the palace by the lake. Fearful that Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng would kill him and lamenting that he hadn't heeded Kim In-jon's counsel, Injong sent Yi a letter expressing his intent to abdicate. However, Yi faced challenges in accepting Injong 's decision due to public sentiment and societal norms, which viewed such actions as treason and usurpation. Yi's supporters preemptively questioned how he could accept Injong's abdication, suggesting Yi had no desire for
806-584: The subordinate of Duke Gyerim . After Duke Gyerim became King Sukjong, he appointed Ch'ŏk as an administrative aide of the Security Council ( 추밀원별가 ; 樞密院別駕 ). Ch'ŏk fought in the wars against the Eastern Jurchens on Goryeo's northeastern border. In 1104, after the defeat of the Goryeo army led by Im Kan ( 임간 ; 林幹 ) to the forces of the Eastern Jurchens, Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng asked Im for
837-455: The throne himself. Seeking to demonstrate loyalty, Yi urged Injong to reconsider, leading Injong to rescind his abdication. Scores of Injong 's co-conspirators and soldiers were either executed or exiled, and the tumultuous events of the preceding four days only strengthened Yi Cha-gyŏm's hand. Amid Injong 's realization that Yi's alliance with Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng contributed to his defeat, tensions escalated when an argument erupted between
868-539: Was a Korean soldier and politician who lived during the Goryeo period. Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng hailed from Kokju ( 곡주 ; 谷州 ; modern-day Koksan County , North Korea) and was the son of Ch'ŏk Wi-gong ( 척위공 ; 拓謂恭 ), of the Koksan Ch'ŏk clan. He was of a poor hyangni (local functionary) background. Due to the poverty of his family, he was unable to pursue his education and instead associated with delinquents. He would become
899-403: Was a prominent figure in Goryeo's court and vehemently against the war with the Jurchens . In 1109, Yi Cha-gyŏm's daughter bore a son, who would later ascend as Goryeo 's 17th monarch, Injong of Goryeo ( r. 1122–1146 ). In 1122, after Yejong died of cancer, Yi Cha-gyŏm installed his young grandson as the next king of Goryeo . Subsequently, Yi Cha-gyŏm enjoyed near-absolute power as
930-524: Was appointed the minister of personnel ( 이부상서 ; 吏部尙書 ; ibu sangsŏ ) and the assistant executive in political affairs ( 참지정사 ; 參知政事 ; ch'amjijŏngsa ). On January 20, 1126, Ch'ŏk would be promoted to the vice-director of the Chancellery ( 문하시랑평장사 ; 門下侍郎平章事 ; munhasirang p'yŏngjangsa ). On March 20, 1126, loyalists of King Injong attempted to assassinate Yi Cha-gyŏm and Ch'ŏk Chun-gyŏng and remove their influence on
961-636: Was occupied with state affairs, unaware of the unfolding events. Ch'ŏk had already moved Injong to a secure location. Upon realizing the shift in fortunes and understanding the situation was no longer in his favor, Yi Cha-gyŏm surrendered himself without resistance, and without wearing his official robe. Yi's fall came only three months after the palace fire. Yi was exiled to Yeonggwang and died in December of 1126. During his exile in South Jeolla Province , Yi allegedly ate dried yellow corvina and coined