Hyeonjong of Goryeo

Infobox Korean name
hangul=현종
hanja=顯宗
rr=Hyeonjong
mr=Hyǒnjong
hangulborn=왕순
hanjaborn=王詢
rrborn=Wang Sun
mrborn=Wang Sun
hangulja=안세
hanjaja=安世
rrja=Anse
mrja=Anse

Hyeonjong of Goryeo (992–1031, r. 1009–1031) was the 8th ruler of the medieval Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He was appointed by the military leader Gang Jo, whom the previous king Mokjong had called upon to destroy a plot by Kim Chi-yang.

In 1010, The Khitan attacked again during an internal Goryeo power struggle. King Hyeonjong was forced to flee the capital temporarily, King Hyeonjong directed the court to move far south to the port city of Naju. But Goryeo repulsed the khitan attack. Finally, Khitan forces withdrew.

In 1019, when Goryeo continued to refuse to submit or return the northern territories, the Khitan attacked once more. Goryeo generals, including Gang Gam-chan, were able to inflict heavy losses on the Khitan army in the Battle of Kwiju. The Khitan withdrew without achieving their demands. The Khitan never again invaded Goryeo. Both the Liao Dynasty and Goryeo enjoyed a time of peace, and their cultures were at their height.

Meantime, Hyeonjong ordered the compilation of the Tripitaka, which was 6,000 volumes. It is the act of carving the woodblocks was considered to be a way of bringing about a change in fortune by invoking the Buddha's help.

ee also

*List of Korea-related topics
*History of Korea
*Rulers of Korea
*Second Goryeo-Khitan War
*Third Goryeo-Khitan War