Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo of Joseon)
Famed Goryeo general who turned back his army at Wihwa Island and founded the Joseon dynasty.
Life
Border general
Yi Seong-gye came from a military family on the northeastern frontier. He distinguished himself repeatedly fighting the Wokou (Japanese pirates) and the Red Turbans, becoming the most powerful general of late Goryeo.
Retreat from Wihwa Island
In 1388 he was ordered north to attack the Ming dynasty's Liaodong, but on reaching Wihwa Island in the Yalu River he turned his army back to Kaesong, deposed the king and seized power. In 1392 he took the throne and founded the Joseon dynasty, declaring himself a vassal of the Ming, and in 1394 he moved the capital to Hanyang (today's Seoul).
Founding of the dynasty
His sons killed one another in fighting over the throne; he abdicated in 1398 and died in 1408.
Legacy
The Joseon dynasty founded by Yi Seong-gye lasted more than five hundred years, the longest dynasty in the history of the Korean Peninsula.
Did you know? The country name "Joseon" was chosen at his request by the Hongwu Emperor of Ming from two candidates, "Joseon" and "Hwaryeong."
Key dates
- 1380Defeats Japanese pirates at Hwangsan
- 1388Retreat from Wihwa Island
- 1392Founds the Joseon dynasty
- 1394Moves the capital to Hanyang
- 1398Abdication
- 1408Died