Uijong of Goryeo

Uijong of Goryeo (23 May 1127 – 7 November 1173), personal name Wang Hyŏn, was the 18th king of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.

He honoured his civilian advisors with many ceremonies but discriminated against the military officials, often forcing them to participate in martial arts competitions for the entertainment of himself and the civil officials, as well as assigning them petty portions during land distributions. He also was often drunk, further angering the warriors. Finally, in the autumn of 1170, after constant discriminations, the rage of the military officials burst.[1] Three warriors (Chŏng Chung-bu, Yi Ŭi-bang, Yi Ko) and others, started a military revolt, murdering the civil officials, deposing King Uijong, and appointing a new king in his place. After he was deposed, officials loyal to Uijong such as Kim Po-dang later attempted to restore him to his throne, but this restoration attempt was exposed and Uijong was subsequently thrown into a pond and drowned by the Goryeo military regime while many civil officials were once again purged.[2][3]