Choi Chungheon

Template:Koreanname noimage Choi Chungheon (1149-1219) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period. His father before him was a Grand General in the Goryeo military. Following in his footsteps, Chungheon entered the military. However, he remained a captain until middle age. Chungheon Became aware that military men could become all-powerful after seeing the quick succession of de facto leadership amongst the generals who deposed one another during the period. Chungheon plotted against the long standing war council while feigning fealty too the newly promoted supreme general and council head Lee Euimin. After many years of humiliation and hardship, Chungheon and his subordinates started a coup de'tat while Lee Euimin was away. After destroying the war council members and killing Lee Euimin, he became a force to be reckoned with. Upon the the success of the Coup he did not go on the seat of power as he was cautious in fear of becoming "drunk with power" as the other De Facto Leaders had become in their reigns. However soon Choi became Prime Minister of the State & Royal Protector, seeing the abdication of 4 kings (asked for 2 of the 4), 3 rebellions & numerous attempts on his life. Finally during the early reign of King Gojong, Chungheon retired and gave his position too his eldest son (though not without bloodshed as his youngest attempted to take it for himself). Until the death of Chungheon's grandsons, the Choi family reigned supreme over the political and military frontier of Goryeo society.

See also

• History of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics