고려 명종대 조위총의 난과 금의 대응

Cho Wi-chong’s Rebellion during the Reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo and Jurchen Jin’s Countermoves

As mayor of Seogyeong, Cho Wi-chong(hereinafter referred to as “Cho”), based in Seogyeong(now Pyeongyang), took up arms against the central government of Goryeo in September 1174(the fourth year of King Myeongjong’s reign). He was a military officer who rose from the ranks to the posts of Mayor of Seogyeong and also Byeongbusangseo (the equivalent of the present-day Defense Minister). He gained the favor of King Uijong with his outstanding ability. The rationale behind Cho’s rebellion was based on the failed attempt by Kim Bo-dang to restore the deposed King Uijong to the throne and King Uijong’s tragic death as a result thereof. When Cho rose up in revolt against the government, local people in and around Seogyeong vigorously joined him in his fight. In the initial stages of the uprising, the regions whose residents positively responded to Cho’s cause were Seogyeong, Bukkye and Dongkye, all of which were located north of Jeolyeong(now Seoheung, Hwanghae Province). At first, the government forces from Gaegyeong were overwhelmed by Cho’s army. On the way, Yi Ui-bang, one of the most powerful men in the military regime, was assassinated. Meanwhile, in May 1175(the fifth year of King Myeongjong’s reign), a state funeral was held for King Uijong in Gaegyeong(now Gaeseong), albeit late. That was quite a success achieved in the wake of Cho’s rebellion. Unfortunately for Cho, however, the battle dragged on way too long, which served to gradually undermine much of the strength of the rebels led by Cho Wi-Chong. There are three main factors that are deemed to have contributed to the failure of Cho’s rebellion. The first reason was due to Hyeon Deok-su, based in Yeonju Castle(now Yeongbyun, Pyeongbuk Province), who was, from first to last, a major drag on Cho. Yeonju Castle was such an almost impregnable fortress, created by nature itself, that Cho’s forces attacked it four times only to fail. The second reason was that there was a general lack of sympathy from people in Gaegyeong for the cause of Cho’s uprising against the central government. The third reason was due to food shortages arising from the prolonged battle, which caused more hardship for Cho. Finally, Cho asked King Sejong of Jurchen Jin for military assistance in exchange for paying tribute to Jurchen Jin with some 40 castles north of Jeolyeong, but that his request was refused. The reason for King Sejong’s denial of Cho’s request was fathomable through putting together the information on this case contained in “Manchu Veritable Records(Manzhou Shilu)” written in Manchu script, and the circumstances back then. In fact, King Sejong of Jurchen Jin attempted to remain neutral, refusing to take sides with either of Goryeo and Southern Song. In June 1176, Yoon In-cheom attacked and captured Seogyeong, and Cho was killed in the end. Cho Wi-chong’s rebellion greatly affected the central government of Goryeo, although it failed.