Queen U of Goguryeo was queen consort to two Korean kings. She married King Gogukcheon of Goguryeo first. However, she failed to produce an heir. Without an heir, there arose a royal crisis after King Gogukcheon’s death. Queen U displayed remarkable political acumen as she navigated through the royal crisis to find a worthy successor to King Gogukcheon of Goguryeo’s throne.[1]
The birthdate of Queen U of Goguryeo is unknown.[2] She was the daughter of a nobleman named U So from Yeonna Province.[3] In 180 C.E., she married King Gogukcheon of Goguryeo and became queen. Because Queen U’s relatives were King Gogukcheon’s sole power base, they often abused their wealth and influence.[4] King Gogukcheon tried to put an end to it by killing some of Queen U’s relatives.[5] In 190 C.E., Queen U’s relatives started a rebellion against King Gogukcheon.[6] King Gogukcheon suppressed the rebellion.[7] He then strengthened his royal authority by appointing officials from different noble clans.[8]
Queen U failed to produce a son.[9] Therefore, King Gogukcheon died without an heir in 197 C.E. In order to prevent any conflict from occurring over the royal succession, Queen U did not reveal her husband’s death immediately.[10] Queen U had to decide which of King Gogukcheon’s brothers should become the next king.[11] She met with the elder prince named Balgi first.[12]
Queen U said to Prince Balgi, “As His Majesty has sired no heir, I believe Your Highness should succeed him.”[13] Prince Balgi said, “We must not discuss this matter imprudently because the Mandate of Heaven should know where to turn.”[14] Then, he rebuked her by saying, “Furthermore, how can this be the manner of a decent lady as you have come to see your brother-in-law in the middle of the night?”[15] Queen U was embarrassed and immediately went to see her second brother-in-law, Prince Yeonu.[16]
Prince Yeonu welcomed Queen U.[17] He cut his finger while cutting meat for her.[18] Queen U bounded his bleeding finger with a strap that came from her skirt.[19] Then, Prince Yeonu escorted Queen U to the palace.[20] The next day, Queen U announced King Gogukcheon’s death.[21] She also said that it was his will that Prince Yeonu should be the next King of Goguryeo.[22]
Prince Balgi was enraged that he was not chosen as the next King of Goguryeo.[23] He tried to start a rebellion but failed due to lack of support.[24] He fled to Liaodong.[25] There, Prince Balgi attacked Goguryeo but was defeated by his younger brother, Prince Gyesu.[26] After he was defeated, Prince Balgi committed suicide.[27] Prince Balgi’s suicide strengthened Prince Yeonu’s claim to the throne.[28] Prince Yeonu ascended the throne as King Sansang.[29]
King Sansang married Queen U.[30] Therefore, she was invested as queen for the second time.[31] However, Queen U failed to produce an heir with King Sansang.[32] In 208 C.E., King Sansang had an affair with a beautiful woman (whose name is unknown) from the village of Jutongchon.[33] When Queen U learned of the affair, she wanted to kill the woman.[34] However, she soon learned that the woman was with child.[35] The woman was brought to the palace and became a royal concubine.[36] In 209 C.E., she gave birth to a son named Uweigeo.[37]
In 227 C.E., King Sansang died. Prince Uweigeo ascended the throne of Goguryeo as King Dongcheon. He gave Queen U the title of Queen Dowager.[38] This was to show her filial respect and courtesy.[39] In 234 C.E., Queen Dowager U died. King Dongcheon fulfilled her wish by burying her next to King Sansang’s tomb instead of King Gogukcheon’s tomb.[40]
Queen U of Goguryeo stands out in Korean history for marrying two kings.[41] Scholars have praised her for her extraordinary political skills.[42] Through her intellect, she installed a king of her own choice.[43] Thus, she lived according to her own terms.[44] Queen U has recently garnered attention worldwide through popular media. In late August, a Paramount+ TV show loosely based on her life called Queen Woo (in which she is played by Jeon Jong-Seo) aired for eight episodes.
Sources:
“King Sansang”. (2014). Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature. (Chong, M., Ed.) South Korea: National Folk Museum of Korea. pp. 150-151.
“The Queen’s relatives, Eobiryu and Jwagarye, plot a rebellion with the Four Yeonna (September 190) [왕후의 친척인 어비류와 좌가려가 4연나와 함께 반란을 도모하다 ( 190년 09월 )]”. (n.d.). Samguk Sagi. (In Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved on November 20, 2024 from https://db.history.go.kr/ancient/level.do?levelId=sg_016r_0030_0090.
Lee, B. (2008). Women in Korean History. South Korea: Ewha Womans University Press.
[1] Lee, 2008
[2] Lee, 2008
[3] Lee, 2008
[4] “The Queen’s relatives, Eobiryu and Jwagarye, plot a rebellion with the Four Yeonna (September 190) [왕후의 친척인 어비류와 좌가려가 4연나와 함께 반란을 도모하다 ( 190년 09월 )]”, n.d.
[5] “The Queen’s relatives, Eobiryu and Jwagarye, plot a rebellion with the Four Yeonna (September 190) [왕후의 친척인 어비류와 좌가려가 4연나와 함께 반란을 도모하다 ( 190년 09월 )”], n.d.
[6] “The Queen’s relatives, Eobiryu and Jwagarye, plot a rebellion with the Four Yeonna (September 190) [왕후의 친척인 어비류와 좌가려가 4연나와 함께 반란을 도모하다 ( 190년 09월 )]”, n.d.
[7] “The Queen’s relatives, Eobiryu and Jwagarye, plot a rebellion with the Four Yeonna (September 190) [왕후의 친척인 어비류와 좌가려가 4연나와 함께 반란을 도모하다 ( 190년 09월 )]”, n.d.
[8] “The Queen’s relatives, Eobiryu and Jwagarye, plot a rebellion with the Four Yeonna (September 190) [왕후의 친척인 어비류와 좌가려가 4연나와 함께 반란을 도모하다 ( 190년 09월 )]”, n.d.
[9] Chong, Ed., 2014
[10] Lee, 2008
[11] Lee, 2008
[12] Chong, Ed., 2014
[13] Lee, 2008, p. 122
[14] Lee, 2008, pp. 122-123
[15] Lee, 2008, p. 123
[16] Lee, 2008
[17] Chong, Ed., 2014
[18] Lee, 2008
[19] Lee, 2008
[20] Lee, 2008
[21] Lee, 2008
[22] Lee, 2008
[23] Lee, 2008
[24] Lee, 2008
[25] Lee, 2008
[26] Chong, Ed., 2014
[27] Chong, Ed., 2014
[28] Chong, Ed., 2014
[29] Chong, Ed., 2014
[30] Lee, 2008
[31] Lee, 2008
[32] Lee, 2008
[33] Chong, Ed., 2014
[34] Chong, Ed., 2014
[35] Chong, Ed., 2014
[36] Lee, 2008
[37] Chong, Ed., 2014
[38] Lee, 2008
[39] Lee, 2008
[40] Lee, 2008
[41] Lee, 2008
[42] Lee, 2008
[43] Lee, 2008
[44] Lee, 2008
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