Samgeun of Baekje

Samgeun of Baekje
Hangul	삼근왕, 삼걸왕, 임걸왕
Hanja	三斤王, 三乞王, 壬乞王
Revised Romanization	Samgeun-wang, Samgeol-wang, Imgeol-wang
McCune–Reischauer	Samgǔn-wang, Samgŏl-wang, Imgŏl-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

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.

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 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, he ordered the death of Munju.

Reign

Samgeun was only thirteen years old when he took power after his father’s death. 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 made 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 Gonji's son.

See also

• History of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics

References