King Chang of Goryeo 고려 창 高麗 昌 | |
Succession: | King of Goryeo |
Reign: | 1388–1389 |
Coronation: | 1388 |
Predecessor: | U of Goryeo |
House: | Wang |
Father: | U of Goryeo |
Mother: | Royal Consort Geun of the Goseong Yi clan |
Birth Name: | Wang Chang |
Birth Date: | 6 September 1380[1] |
Birth Place: | Gaegyeong, Goryeo |
Death Place: | Ganghwa-do, Goryeo |
Religion: | Buddhism |
Hangul: | 창왕 |
Rr: | Chang-wang |
Mr: | Ch'ang-wang |
Hangulborn: | 왕창 |
Mrborn: | Wang Ch'ang |
Rrborn: | Wang Chang |
King Chang of Goryeo (6 September 1380 – 31 December 1389) was the 33rd and youngest ruler of the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea. His life and death is often compared with Grand Prince Yeongchang.[2]
Prince Chang was the only son of King U and Royal Consort Geun of the Goseong Yi clan, daughter of Yi Rim.[3] King U was forced from power after Yi Seong-gye mutinied in 1388, and King Chang was put on the throne in his stead.[4]
During his reign from June 1388 to November 1389, Chang experienced a great chaos of reforms. There were two factions: one wanted a conservational reform, and the other wanted a radical reform. The former was led by (曺敏修), and Yi Saek, and the latter was led by Yi Seong-gye, and Jeong Do-jeon. King Chang tried to arbitrate the two fractions. However, as Yi Saek lost his political power following the impeachment of Yi Sung-yin, King Chang lost his authority, making Yi Seong Gye the most powerful man in Goryeo.
In November 1389, there was a rumor that former King U tried to assassinate Yi Seong-gye.[5] This provided the reason for abdication of King Chang.
King Chang was assassinated, together with his father, shortly after the ascension of Gongyang, whilst in exile.[6] King Chang was 9 years of age.[7]
Parents