Munju of Baekje

Munju of Baekje
Hangul	문주왕
Hanja	文周王
Revised Romanization	Munju-wang
McCune–Reischauer	Munju-wang

Monarchs of Korea Baekje

Onjo 18 BCE–29 CE Daru 29–77 Giru 77–128 Gaeru 128–166 Chogo 166–214 Gusu 214–234 Saban 234 Goi 234–286 Chaekgye 286–298 Bunseo 298–304 Biryu 304–344 Gye 344–346 Geunchogo 346–375 Geungusu 375–384 Chimnyu 384–385 Jinsa 385–392 Asin 392–405 Jeonji 405–420 Guisin 420–427 Biyu 427–455 Gaero 455–475 Munju 475–477 Samgeun 477–479 Dongseong 479–501 Muryeong 501–523 Seong 523–554 Wideok 554–598 Hye 598–599 Beop 599–600 Mu 600–641 Uija 641–660

Munju of Baekje (?-477, r. 475-477^[1]) was the 22nd king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His reign saw considerable disunity within Baekje following the fall of its capital in present-day Seoul.

Background

He was the first king to rule Baekje from its new capital in Ungjin, present-day Gongju, after the Han River valley was lost to Goguryeo. He ascended to the throne after his father’s death in the sack of the former Baekje capital at Hanseong.

Prior to 475, Munju served as chief minister (Sangjwapyeong) under his father, Gaero. In the Goguryeo assault of 475, he went to Silla to request help. According to the Samguk Sagi, he returned with 10,000 Silla warriors but was too late to prevent the fall of the capital.

Reign

After the move of the capital, Baekje power structure fell into chaos as the traditional Buyeo-descended aristocracy clashed with the local Mahan-based clans. Rivalry even within the old aristoracy, suppressed by previous powerful kings, resurfaced.

He sought to refortify Baekje’s remaining defenses and strengthen the country's position against Goguryeo. He was successful in 476 in gaining suzerainty over the kingdom of Tamna on Jeju island.

In the midst of this instability, the chief general Hae Gu took control of the military, and, after the death of Munju's son (Samgeun's younger brother) Gonji in 477, exercised effective rule over the country.

That year, Munju was murdered by an agent of Hae Gu.

References

1. ^ Il-yeon: Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea, translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton K. Mintz. Book Two, page 120. Silk Pagoda (2006). ISBN 1-59654-348-5

See also

• History of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics