Queen Seonjeong (Mokjong)

Queen Seonjeong of the Chungju Yu clan (Korean: 선정왕후 유씨; Hanja: 宣正王后 劉氏) was a Korean Royal family member as the granddaughter of Prince Sumyeong who became Queen Consort though her marriage with her maternal first cousin and paternal second cousin, King Mokjong of Goryeo as his primary wife. Since married her close relative, Queen Seonjeong became the sixth reigned Goryeo Queen Consort who followed her maternal clan, that later commonly used to other queens, followed her mother, Queen Mundeok.

Life[]

After her biological father's death, her mother remarried again with Seongjong of Goryeo who believed to raised her since young and treated her not different like his own daughters, which made some believed that the future Queen was King Seongjong's real daughter. Although her age was unknown at this time, but seeing that she married with Wang Song (descendant of King Gwangjong and Queen Daemok), they must have been similar or slightly older. They also believed to grew up together almost like brother and sister, also Mokjong liked to follow her as she had taken care of him since childhood.

In 997, King Seongjong died and was succeeded by Wang Song who would later became her husband and she then followed her grandmother, Queen Sinmyeong's clans. Her mother-in-law, Queen Heonae overtook her husband's throne and became regent since the new king not interested in politics.

Based on Goryeosa, it was written that:

"Mokjong was a King with calm and strong personality, was good at archery and horseback riding, enjoyed alcohol and liked hunting. However, he didn't pay attention to government affairs.”
"성품이 침착하고 굳세어 어려서부터 임금의 도량이 있었지만 활쏘기와 말타기를 잘 하고 술을 즐기며 사냥을 좋아하여 정무에 유의하지 않았다"

Also, there were rumors that they two enjoyed sodomy, so it doesn't seem like a good marriage between the couple and they didn't had any children.

Even she can made her husband ascended the throne due to her maternal family's influence and she exerted considerable influence in politics in the background of the King's favor, but her personal life was not very happy. While and others led a Coup d'état to drive out Mokjong and contributed to the upkeep of Hyeonjong. Mokjong learned this and punished the Kim clan's members, but the oppositions to Mokjong were so openly active.

In 1009, Mokjong finally dethroned and was assassinated while went to Chungju with his mother. After this, Queen Seonjeong's life didn't appear clearly in here, but it was presumed that she was also died along with Mokjong. After her death, she then was enshrined in Mokjong's shrine and received her Posthumous name.

Based on: 선정왕후

Posthumous name[]

• In March 1014 (5th year reign of King Hyeonjong), name Ui-jeol (의절, 懿節), An-heon (안헌, 安獻) and Jeong-sin (정신, 貞愼) was added.
• In October 1056 (10th year reign of King Munjong), name Yang-gyeon (양견, 襄堅) was added.
• In October 1253 (40th year reign of King Gojong), name Won-jeong (원정, 元貞) was added to her Posthumous name too.

^[3]

In popular culture[]

• Portrayed by Lee In-hye and Han Bo-bae in the 2009 KBS2 TV series Empress Cheonchu.^[4][5]

References[]

• Queen Seonjeong on Encykorea (in Korean).