Jinheung of Silla

King Jinheung (526 - 576, reign 540 - 576) was the 24th monarch of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

He followed King Beopheung (r.514–540) and was followed by King Jinji (r.576–579). Jinheung was the nephew / grandson of King Beopheung. King Jinheung was one of the greatest kings of Silla, and was responsible for expanding Silla territory immensely. He and King Seong 26th king of Baekje, struggled with each other over the Han River valley. Jinheung won this struggle and expanded Silla's territory immensely.

Rise to the throne

King Jinheung of Silla rose to the throne at a young age when his predecessor and paternal uncle / maternal grandfather, Beopheung, died. Since he was too young to rule a kingdom at the time, his mother acted as regent. When he became of age, he began to rule independently. One of his first acts as true king of Silla was to appoint a man named Kim Isabu as Head of Military Affairs, which occurred in 541. Jinheung adopted a policy of peace with the neighbouring kingdom of Baekje Kingdom. In 551, he allied with Baekje so that he could attack the northern Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. The result of this allied attack on Goguryeo was the conquest of the Han river. The kingdoms of Baekje and Silla kingdom both had agreed on splitting the conquered territory equally amongst themselves.

Expansion

During the reign of King Seong of Baekje, King Jinheung allied with Goguryeo and launched an attack on the Han River valley during the year 553. In a secret agreement between Silla and Goguryeo, Silla troops attacked the exhausted Baekje army in late 553. Feeling the betrayal from Silla, King Seong attacked during the year 554, but was caught in an ambush led by a Silla general and was assassinated along with those who were accompanying him. King Jinheung guarded the new territory with a firm hand for seven years before sending General Kim Isabu to conquer Daegaya in 561. King Jinheung constructed a monument in his newly conquered territory and established provinces in the area. He subdued all rebellions and continued to develop culture in his kingdom. In 576, the Hwarang was established, and they would later play a huge role in the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Death and succession

King Jinheung died in 576 at the age of 51 after ruling for 37 years of conquest and advancement. King Jinheung was succeeded by his second son, Prince Geumryun, who became King Jinji of Silla. According to Lady Mishil, however, Prince Geumryun stole the throne from the true chosen successor, King Jinheung's grandson Prince Baekjong, who after a coup d'etat orchestrated by Mishil became Jinpyeong of Silla. Lady Mishil is generally believed to have been King Jinheung's (and later King Jinji's) mistress, as well as a key government official in her own right.

Family

• Father : Galmunwang Ipjong (입종 갈문왕)
• Mother : Queen Jiso (지소태후)
• Brother : Kim Sukheuljong (김숙흘종)

Wives and issue

• Queen : Queen Sado, family name Park (사도왕후 박씨)
  • Son : Crown Prince Dongryun (동륜태자)
  • Son : Kim Geumryun (김금륜), later King Jinji of Silla
  • Son : Kim Guryun (김구륜)
  • Daughter : Princess Taeyang (태양공주)
  • Daughhter : Princess Ayang (아양공주)
  • Daughhter : Princess Eunryun(은륜공주)
  • Daughhter : Princess Wolryun (월륜공주)
• Consort : Princess Sookmyung (숙명궁주)
  • Son : Crown Prince Jeongsook (정숙태자)
• Consort : Lady Bomyung (보명궁주)
• Consort : Lady Mishil (미실궁주)
  • Son : Prince Sujong (수종전군)
  • Daughter : Princess Banya (반야공주)
  • Daughter : Princess Nanya (난야공주)
• Consort : Lady Sobi, family name Buyeo (소비 부여씨), daughter of King Seong of Baekje

Legacy

King Jinheung's achievements for his kingdom established the basis for unification of Korea. He is remembered today by the Korean people as one of the greatest rulers of Silla.

Popular Culture

• Portrayed by Park Hyung-sik in Hwarang (TV series)
• Portrayed by Lee Sun-jae in Queen Seondeok (TV series)