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Person1054 – 1105

King Sukjong

Fifteenth king of Goryeo, who minted coins such as Haedong tongbo and created the Byeolmuban army

A son of Munjong and elder brother of Uicheon. Adopting Uicheon's argument for coinage, he set up the Mint and issued currency such as the silver vase (hwalgu) and Haedong Tongbo, though it never came into wide use. He pushed to rebuild Namgyeong, and after a defeat by the Jurchen in 1104 he created the Byeolmuban—cavalry, infantry and warrior-monk corps—on Yun Gwan's advice.

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3 related events

  1. 1
    1097 – 1102The Mint and Haedong Tongbomonarch

    At Uicheon’s urging, King Sukjong set up a mint that issued silver vases (hwalgu) and coins such as Haedong tongbo, but in a largely self-sufficient economy they did not circulate widely.

  2. 2
    1097Uicheon Founds the Cheontae Schoolmonarch

    Back from Song, Uicheon founded the Cheontae school at Gukcheongsa, seeking to unite Seon meditation under the doctrinal schools.

  3. 3
    1104Creation of the Byeolmubanmonarch

    Outmatched by Jurchen cavalry, Goryeo formed the Byeolmuban, a special army of cavalry, infantry and warrior monks, on Yun Gwan’s advice.

People who appear alongside

  • Uicheon (National Preceptor Daegak)1055 – 1101

    Royal monk, son of Munjong, who studied in Song, compiled the Gyojang and founded the Cheontae school in Goryeo

  • King Munjong1019 – 1083

    Eleventh king of Goryeo, whose reign marked the height of the dynasty; father of Uicheon

  • Yun Gwan1111

    General who created the Byeolmuban army and built the Nine Forts after defeating the Jurchens

Themes this person appears in

  • History of Korean CurrencyAD 996 – 1905

    From Geonwon Jungbo to the 1905 currency reform — how coins took hold in an economy of rice and cloth, and how monetary sovereignty was lost

  • Military Systems Through the AgesAD 685 – 1907

    From the Nine Oath Banners to the Two Armies and Six Guards, the Five Commands and garrison system, the Five Army Camps and the Board of Marshals — armies rebuilt at every crisis