Kim Heonchang
Encyclopedia
Kim Heonchang was the leader of an aristocratic rebellion
in early ninth-century Unified Silla
. He was a seventh-generation descendant of King Muyeol
, and thus bore the "true bone" status in the Silla bone rank system
. His activities are probably linked to strife between different lineages of the Silla royal house.
Gim's father, Gim Ju-won, was first in line to take the Silla throne after the death of King Seondeok
. However, Gim Gyeong-sin
seized power by military force and became King Wonseong. Gim Ju-won fled to the province of Myeongju, around modern-day Gangneung
. These events probably laid the foundation for his son's (and grandson's) rebellious activities.
After King Aejang
was slain by Kim Eon-seung
, who then became king, Gim Heon-chang launched a rebellion which rapidly gained control over the modern-day areas of Gwangju
, Cheongju
, and Gongju
. He named his country Jang-an (장안, 長安) and took the era name Gyeong-un (경운, 慶雲). The rebellion went on to seize Jeonju
, Sangju
, Chungju
, and Gimhae
, thus gaining control over much of the southern and western Korean peninsula
. It appears that he was aided by many other members of the Muyeol lineage.
After a month's fighting, the royal faction was able to regain much of the territory that Gim Heon-chang's forces had taken. After the fall of Gongju
, which had been the center of the rebellion, Gim Heon-chang took his own life.
Three years later, his son Kim Beop-mun rekindled the rebellion, but was shortly thereafter also crushed by the royal army.
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
in early ninth-century Unified Silla
Unified Silla
Unified Silla or Later Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, when it conquered Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668, unifying the southern portion of the Korean peninsula...
. He was a seventh-generation descendant of King Muyeol
Muyeol of Silla
King Taejong Muyeol , born Kim Chunchu, was the 29th monarch of the southern Korean kingdom of Silla and ruled from 654 to 661. He is credited for leading the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea...
, and thus bore the "true bone" status in the Silla bone rank system
Bone rank system
The bone rank system was the system of aristocratic rank used in the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. It was used to segregate society, and particularly the layers of the aristocracy, on the basis of their hereditary proximity to the throne and the level of authority they were permitted to wield...
. His activities are probably linked to strife between different lineages of the Silla royal house.
Gim's father, Gim Ju-won, was first in line to take the Silla throne after the death of King Seondeok
King Seondeok of Silla
King Seondeok of Silla was the successor to King Hyegong and the 37th to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was an eleventh-generation descendant of King Naemul, and the Daughter of haechan Kim Hyo-bang by King Seongdeok's daughter Lady Saso...
. However, Gim Gyeong-sin
Wonseong of Silla
Wonseong of Silla was the 38th to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was a twelfth-generation descendant of King Naemul. His father was Kim Hyo-yang, and his mother was Lady Gye-o, the daughter of Pak Chang-do...
seized power by military force and became King Wonseong. Gim Ju-won fled to the province of Myeongju, around modern-day Gangneung
Gangneung
Gangneung is a city in Gangwon-do, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 229,869 . Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. Gangneung has many tourist attractions, like Jeongdongjin, one of the most famous towns in Korea...
. These events probably laid the foundation for his son's (and grandson's) rebellious activities.
After King Aejang
Aejang of Silla
Aejang of Silla was the 40th ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the eldest son of King Soseong and Queen Gyehwa. He married a lady of the Pak clan....
was slain by Kim Eon-seung
Heondeok of Silla
Heondeok of Silla was the 41st to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the younger brother of King Soseong, and served as regent during the reign of Aejang....
, who then became king, Gim Heon-chang launched a rebellion which rapidly gained control over the modern-day areas of Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
, Cheongju
Cheongju
Cheongju is the capital city of Chungcheongbuk-do , South Korea. The city is divided into two wards , Heungdeok-gu and Sangdang-gu .-History:...
, and Gongju
Gongju
Gongju , also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It is located at .- History :Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo...
. He named his country Jang-an (장안, 長安) and took the era name Gyeong-un (경운, 慶雲). The rebellion went on to seize Jeonju
Jeonju
Jeonju is a city in South Korea, and the capital of Jeollabuk-do, or North Jeolla Province. It is an important tourist center famous for Korean food, historic buildings, sports activities and innovative festivals.- History :...
, Sangju
Sangju
Sangju is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Although Sangju is rather rural, it is very old and was once a key city. Along with Gyeongju, it gives rise to half of the name of the Gyeongsang provinces...
, Chungju
Chungju
Chungju is a city in North Chungcheong province, South Korea. Namsan is a mountain located on the outskirts of the city.The city is famous for the annual martial arts festival held in October. Also of note, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon grew up here....
, and Gimhae
Gimhae
Gimhae, also commonly spelled Kimhae, is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Gimhae is known to locals as "The Paris of Gyeongsangnamdo." It is the seat of the large Gimhae Kim clan, one of the largest Kim clans in Korea...
, thus gaining control over much of the southern and western Korean peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
. It appears that he was aided by many other members of the Muyeol lineage.
After a month's fighting, the royal faction was able to regain much of the territory that Gim Heon-chang's forces had taken. After the fall of Gongju
Gongju
Gongju , also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It is located at .- History :Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo...
, which had been the center of the rebellion, Gim Heon-chang took his own life.
Three years later, his son Kim Beop-mun rekindled the rebellion, but was shortly thereafter also crushed by the royal army.
See also
- Unified SillaUnified SillaUnified Silla or Later Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, when it conquered Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668, unifying the southern portion of the Korean peninsula...
- History of KoreaHistory of KoreaThe Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
- List of Korea-related topics