고려 혜종의 생애와 박술희

Abstract

Taejo Wang Geon was unsparing in his support for his first son Mu, who would be the next king Hyejong and was educated by Choe Eon-wi. Wang Geon assigned Mu and Park Sul-hee the task of preparing for the Battle of Illicheon (Gumi, Gyeongbuk, September 936), which was the final battle of the Unification Wars. This battle led to the consummation of Goryeo’s triumph, thereby strengthening Mu’s position. Park Sul-hee, whom Wang Geon had picked as a faithful sidekick for Mu, came from a military background, not among the local forces. At last, in 943, Mu was crowned, but right after his ascension to the throne, he contracted an incurable disease with an unknown cause. His two stepbrothers, Yo and So, became aware of it, and each of them harbored thoughts of succeeding to the throne. Wang Gyu informed on them to Hyejong, who regarded the whistle blowing by Wang Gyu as an enemy frame. Sensing that he was losing ground, Wang Gyu attempted to assassinate Hyejong and enthrone his grandson Prince Gwangju. In the meantime, Hyejong died of an illness in September of 945. Yo, the newly enthroned king (Jeongjong), banished Park Sul-hee to Gapgot (Ganghwa). Then, while Park Sul-hee was being carried into exile, Wang Gyu got him killed under pretense of Yo’s command. Anticipating that this would happen, Yo killed Wang Gyu with the support of Wang Sik-ryeom who had promised to help Yo. As a result, the death of Park Sul-hee served to aid Hejong.