U of Goryeo facts for kids

U of Goryeo (born July 25, 1365 – died December 31, 1389) was a king who ruled Goryeo (which is now Korea). He was king from 1374 to 1388. King U was the only son of King Gongmin.

Goryeo's Place in Asia

In the 1200s, Mongol forces took over parts of China. They created a new empire called the Yuan dynasty in 1271. After several invasions, Goryeo made a peace deal with the Yuan dynasty. This meant Goryeo became a smaller state under China's rule.

However, in the 1300s, the Ming dynasty in China grew very strong. They began to push back the Yuan forces. By the 1350s, Goryeo was able to get back its northern lands. They even took control of the Liaodong region.

King U's Early Life

His Birth and Recognition

Records say that U was born to a woman named Banya. She was a maid to a monk named Shin Don. His father was King Gongmin.

At first, King Gongmin did not say the child was his son. So, Shin Don named the boy Monino. This name means "servant of Buddha." Because the King did not recognize him, Monino was not allowed to live in the palace.

After Shin Don died in 1371, King Gongmin called Monino to the palace. He officially said that Monino was his son and the next in line for the throne. King Gongmin renamed him "U." He also said that U's mother was a palace maid from the Han family who had passed away.

Becoming King

In 1374, a powerful official named Yi In-Im led a group. This group was against the Ming dynasty. They were responsible for the death of King Gongmin.

This group then made the eleven-year-old boy, U, the new king. People in China were suspicious about King Gongmin's sudden death. They doubted if the young King U was the rightful ruler.

A few years later, in 1376, King U's birth mother, Banya, went to the home of Queen Mother Myeongdeok. She protested that she was not recognized as the king's mother. Banya was put in prison. She later died after being thrown into the Imjin River.

Goryeo's Challenges with China

Dealing with Neighboring Empires

King U's time as ruler was difficult. The Yuan dynasty was falling, and the Ming dynasty was rising. His court was split into two groups: one that supported the Ming and one that supported the Yuan. King U was put on the throne by Yi In-Im, who favored the Yuan. This caused many arguments about which dynasty Goryeo should support.

These arguments about foreign policy were not settled. Then, in 1388, the Ming Dynasty announced a plan. They wanted to set up a military base in the Ch'ollyŏng pass. This pass was in the southern part of the Hamgyŏng Plain.

The Plan to Attack Ming

Officials who supported the Yuan dynasty convinced King U to act against the Ming. He ordered General Yi Seonggye to attack Yodong, which was Ming territory. Goryeo's main military leader, General Choi Young, talked with General Yi Seong-gye. They decided that removing the anti-Ming group from power in Kaesŏng was important. This would reduce the threat from Ming China. With Yi Seong-gye's help, Choi removed Yi In-Im and his group. Choi then took control of the government.

The End of King U's Reign

General Yi Seong-gye's Actions

Many people in Kaesŏng felt Goryeo needed to attack China first. King U's advisors eventually pushed him to attack the strong Ming armies. Most people were against this idea. It also went against Goryeo's long-standing rule of not invading its neighbors. But King U insisted on attacking China itself.

In 1388, General Yi Seong-gye was ordered to use his armies. His task was to push the Ming armies out of the Korean peninsula. When he reached the Amrok River, he saw that the Ming forces were much stronger than Goryeo's. He decided to return to the capital instead. He did not want to destroy his army by attacking the Ming.

King U's Final Days

Yi Seong-gye returned to Kaesŏng. He defeated the royal court's defenders and removed General Choi Young. Yi Seong-gye then took the throne from Goryeo's Dynasty. King U was removed from power. His son, King Chang, became king.

However, King U and King Chang were both killed with poison one year later. Prince Gongyang then became king. This was because he was said to be of true royal descent. King U is the only king in Korea's long history who never received a special title after his death.

Family of King U

• Father: King Gongmin of Goryeo (고려 공민왕)
  • Grandfather: King Chungsuk of Goryeo (고려 충숙왕)
  • Grandmother: Queen Gongwon (공원왕후)
• Mother:
  • Biological: Banya (반야)
  • Legal-adoptive: Queen Sunjeong (순정왕후)
• Consorts and their Respective issue(s):

1. Royal Consort Geun of the Goseong Yi clan (근비 이씨)
   1. Prince Wang Chang (왕창)
2. Royal Consort Yeong of the Dongju Choe clan (영비 최씨) – No issue.
3. Royal Consort Ui of the Jangyeon No clan (의비 노씨) – No issue.
4. Royal Consort Suk of the Choe clan (숙비 최씨) – No issue.
5. Royal Consort An of the Gang clan (안비 강씨) – No issue.
6. Royal Consort Jeong of the Pyeongsan Sin clan (정비 신씨) – No issue.
7. Royal Consort Deok of the Jo clan, of the Jo clan (덕비 조씨) – No issue.
8. Royal Consort Seon of the Gaeseong Wang clan (선비 왕씨) – No issue.
9. Royal Consort Hyeon of the Juksan An clan (현비 안씨) – No issue.
10. Princess Hwasun (화순옹주) – initially a Gisaeng, No issue.
11. Princess Myeongsun (명순옹주) – initially a Gisaeng, No issue.
12. Princess Yeongseon (영선옹주; d. 1420) – initially a Gisaeng, No issue.

See also

• In Spanish: U de Goryeo para niños