Myocheong facts for kids

Myo Cheong (Hangul: 묘청, Hanja:妙淸, ?-1135) was an important Korean Buddhist monk, politician, and philosopher during the Goryeo Dynasty. He was also known by his other name, Jungshim. Myo Cheong is famous for suggesting that the capital city of Goryeo should be moved to Pyongyang.

Who Was Myo Cheong?

Myo Cheong was a Buddhist monk from Pyongyang, a city in what is now North Korea. He was not just a religious leader; he was also a deep thinker, or a philosopher. He believed in ideas about how the world worked and how people should live.

Myo Cheong also practiced special skills like divination and prophecy. Divination is a way of trying to find out about the future or hidden knowledge, often through special rituals. Prophecy means predicting what will happen next. He used these skills to gain influence and support for his ideas.

Life in the Goryeo Dynasty

Myo Cheong lived during the Goryeo Dynasty, which was a powerful kingdom in Korea from 918 to 1392. During this time, Buddhism was a very important religion. Monks like Myo Cheong often had a lot of influence in society and even in politics. The Goryeo court, which was the king's government, sometimes relied on the advice of monks and scholars.

The Idea of Moving the Capital

Myo Cheong's most famous idea was to move the capital city of Goryeo. At that time, the capital was in Kaesong. Myo Cheong believed that moving the capital to Pyongyang would bring good luck and make the kingdom stronger. He thought this would help Goryeo become more powerful and even challenge other strong nations.

Why Move the Capital?

Myo Cheong's belief in moving the capital was based on a special idea called geomancy. Geomancy is a traditional practice that looks at how landforms and water affect good or bad fortune. It's like an ancient form of feng shui. Myo Cheong believed that the land around Kaesong was losing its good energy. He thought that Pyongyang, on the other hand, had very strong and positive energy. Moving the capital there, he argued, would bring new strength and prosperity to the Goryeo Dynasty.

Supporters and Opponents

Myo Cheong gained a lot of support from King Injong and some officials who agreed with his ideas. They were excited about the possibility of a stronger Goryeo. However, many other powerful officials and scholars in Kaesong disagreed. They thought moving the capital was a bad idea and would cause too much trouble. A famous scholar named Kim Bu-sik was one of the main people who opposed Myo Cheong's plan.

The Western Capital Movement

Because of the strong disagreements, Myo Cheong and his supporters eventually decided to take action. In 1135, they declared Pyongyang the new capital and even started their own kingdom there. This event is known as the Western Capital Movement or Myo Cheong's Rebellion.

What Happened?

The movement led to a conflict between Myo Cheong's group in Pyongyang and the government in Kaesong. The king's government, led by Kim Bu-sik, sent an army to stop the rebellion. The fighting lasted for some time.

The Outcome and Legacy

In the end, Myo Cheong's movement was defeated, and he was killed. The capital remained in Kaesong. Even though his plan failed, Myo Cheong's ideas and the Western Capital Movement are still important in Korean history. They show a time when different ideas about how to rule and where to place the capital caused big changes. Historians still study this event to understand the politics and beliefs of the Goryeo Dynasty.