Last king of Goryeo, placed on the throne by Yi Seong-gye’s faction; the Gwajeon Law was enacted in his reign
Yi Seong-gye’s faction enthroned him in 1389 after deposing U and Chang on the claim that they were not of the royal Wang line. In 1391 the Gwajeon Law drafted by Jo Jun and others took effect, giving the new scholar-officials an economic base. After Jeong Mong-ju was killed in 1392 he was deposed, ending Goryeo, and he died in exile at Samcheok.
Yi Seong-gye and the new scholar-officials abolished the magnates’ estates and enacted the Gwajeon Law, granting officials rent rights to land in Gyeonggi only.
Jeong Mong-ju, leader of the moderate scholar-officials who defended Goryeo against a change of dynasty, was killed at Seonjuk Bridge in Gaegyeong by Yi Bang-won’s men; three months later Yi Seong-gye took the throne.
Founder and first king of Joseon, formerly a general who fought Japanese pirates and the Red Turbans
Neo-Confucian architect of the new dynasty who named the palace and capital gates; killed in the First Strife of Princes
Leader of the moderate Confucian reformers, killed at Seonjuk Bridge by Yi Bang-won’s men for staying loyal to Goryeo
Third king of Joseon, who seized power in the Strifes of Princes and strengthened royal authority
From nogeup to the end of office land — how the rights granted to officials shrank, and gave way to modern land ownership
From land tax, tribute and labour to cash taxes in the Gabo Reform — burdens shifting from people and households to land
From Wang Geon, lord of Songak, to the Kaesong Industrial Complex — Gaegyeong, Goryeo’s capital for five centuries, and home of the Song merchants