Samgeun of Baekje

Samgeun of Baekje (465–479) (r. 477–479) was the 23rd king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi, he was the eldest son of the 22nd king Munju.

Samgeun of Baekje
Hangul
삼근왕, 삼걸왕, 임걸왕
Hanja
三斤王, 三乞王, 壬乞王
Revised RomanizationSamgeun-wang, Samgeol-wang, Imgeol-wang
McCune–ReischauerSamgǔn-wang, Samgŏl-wang, Imgŏl-wang
Monarchs of Korea
Baekje
  1. Onjo 18 BCE–28 CE
  2. Daru 28–77
  3. Giru 77–128
  4. Gaeru 128–166
  5. Chogo 166–214
  6. Gusu 214–234
  7. Saban 234
  8. Goi 234–286
  9. Chaekgye 286–298
  10. Bunseo 298–304
  11. Biryu 304–344
  12. Gye 344–346
  13. Geunchogo 346–375
  14. Geungusu 375–384
  15. Chimnyu 384–385
  16. Jinsa 385–392
  17. Asin 392–405
  18. Jeonji 405–420
  19. Guisin 420–427
  20. Biyu 427–455
  21. Gaero 455–475
  22. Munju 475–477
  23. Samgeun 477–479
  24. Dongseong 479–501
  25. Muryeong 501–523
  26. Seong 523–554
  27. Wideok 554–598
  28. Hye 598–599
  29. Beop 599–600
  30. Mu 600–641
  31. Uija 641–660

Background

In 475, the northern Korean kingdom of Goguryeo had forced Baekje's capital south from the present-day Seoul region to Ungjin (near present-day Gongju), and the Baekje court had lost much of its power to the aristocracy. Within the aristocracy, clans from the local Mahan confederacy, which Baekje conquered and absorbed earlier, gained strength against the traditional clans descended from the northern kingdom of Buyeo.

In the midst of this instability, the chief general and Minister of Defense, Hae Gu, took control of the military and killed Munju's brother Buyeo Gonji in 477. After this Hae Gu exercised effective rule over the country. That year, he ordered the death of Munju.

Reign

Samgeun was only thirteen years old when he took power after his father’s death.[1] Since he was not fit to oversee the military, the armies continued to be overseen by General Hae Gu, who maintained actual political control.

In 478, Hae Gu found common cause with rebels led by Yeon Sin, based in Daedu Castle. Samgeun first sent the noble Jin Nam to capture the castle with 2,000 men, but he failed. He then sent Jin Ro, who defeated the rebels with 500 men, whereupon Yeon Sin fled to Goguryeo. With this event, the Jin clan gained great strength in Baekje.

The next year, Samgeun died, succeeded by his uncle Buyeo Gonji's son, Dongseong of Baekje.

Family

See also

References
  1. 전호태 (2007). 高句麗 (in English and Korean). University of California: 동북아 역사 재단. p. 138. ISBN 978-89-91448-83-4.
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