Gyeongjong of Goryeo

Gyeongjong
King of Goryeo
Reign975–981
Coronation975
Kaegyŏng, Goryeo
PredecessorGwangjong
SuccessorSeongjong
BornWang Ju
9 November 955
Kaegyŏng, Goryeo
Died13 August 981 (aged 26)
Kaegyŏng, Goryeo
Burial
Yeongneung (영릉; 榮陵)
Queen ConsortQueen Heonsuk
Queen Heonui
Queen Heonae
Queen Heonjeong
ConsortLady Daemyeong
SonMokjong
Era name and dates
Taepyeong (태평; 太平): 976–981
Posthumous name
  • Great King Jiin Seongmok Myeonghye Heonhwa
    (지인성목명혜헌화대왕, 至仁成穆明惠獻和大王; original)
  • Great King Gongui Jeonghyo Sunhui Myeonghye Seongmok Heonhwa
    (공의정효순희명혜성목헌화대왕, 恭懿靖孝順熙明惠成穆獻和大王; final)
Temple name
Gyeongjong (경종; 景宗)
HouseWang
DynastyGoryeo
FatherGwangjong
MotherQueen Daemok
Korean name
Hangul
왕주
Hanja
王伷
RRWang Ju
MRWang Chu
Monarch name
Hangul
경종
Hanja
景宗
RRGyeongjong
MRKyŏngjong
Courtesy name
Hangul
장민
Hanja
長民
RRJangmin
MRChangmin
Posthumous name
Hangul
헌화대왕
Hanja
獻和大王
RRHeonhwa daewang
MRHŏnhwa taewang

Gyeongjong (9 November 955 – 13 August 981), personal name Wang Chu, was the fifth ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the eldest son of King Gwangjong, and was confirmed as Crown Prince in the year of his birth. He was also the maternal and paternal grandson of King Taejo.

Upon rising to the throne, Gyeongjong established the Jeonsigwa (田柴科, land-allotment system) which established the economic basis for Goryeo's bureaucracy. Following his ascension, he issued pardons for those whom his predecessor had persecuted and even reinstated their titles. Later, according to the Goryeo-sa, he avoided politics and royalty, and spent his time cavorting with commoners as well as indulging in sex or playing baduk.