House of Wang: Difference between revisions

House of Wang
House of Wang
Country	Goryeo
Founded	July 25, 918, 1106 years ago
Founder	Taejo of Goryeo
Final ruler	Gongyang of Goryeo
Titles	King of Goryeo; Prince of Shen;
Deposition	1392

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit Next edit →

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Revision as of 09:30, 2 November 2023

The House of Wang (Korean: 왕; Hanja: 王) was the royal ruling house of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) of Korea.

Its founder was Wang Geon, the chancellor of Taebong who overthrew its tyrant king Gung Ye and founded the new dynasty of Goryeo. His descendants ruled as kings for 474 years. From 1170 to 1270, the Goryeo kings were puppets of the Goryeo military regime. In 1270, the royal house broke free from the military regime's grasp and volunteered to become vassals of the Mongol Empire. During the Mongol domination of Goryeo, the House of Wang became semi-autonomous vassals of the Yuan dynasty, and engaged in intermarriage with the ruling Borjigin clan. In 1356, King Gongmin was able to restore the independence of Goryeo. However, after the Wihwado Retreat in 1388, Goryeo general Yi Seong-gye was able to seize power. In 1392, Yi ended the rule of the House of Wang, proclaiming himself King of Joseon.

After they fell from power, the House of Wang was persecuted by the new dynasty. From 1392 to 1413, they were subject to an extermination campaign where male members from the direct line of the royal Wang family were to be apprehended and killed. Due to the extent of persecution, a majority of Wang Geon's descendants in the modern-day Kaesong Wang clan are descendants of his fifteenth son, Prince Hyoeun via Wang Mi (Korean: 왕미; Hanja: 王亹, 1365-?), a survivor of the extermination.

History

Hagiographical Origins

The House of Wang originated from the local, regional lords, or hojok (호족; 豪族), of the Song'ak region. The ancestors of Wang Geon were influential maritime merchants from Goguryeo.^[1] Jakjegeon, whose real name is unknown and is the grandfather of Wang Geon, was an influential figure beyond the boundaries of Song'ak, reaching as far as Ganghwa Island. Wang Geon's father, Wang Ryung, was also a powerful hojok who facilitated civil trade with Tang China.^[2]

The Wangs claimed ancestry from the legendary Dragon King of the West Sea via the wife of Jakjegeon, later posthumously honored as Queen Wonchang. According to the Pyeonnyeon Tongnok (편년통록; 編年通錄) by Kim Gwan-ui, Jakjegeon was able to marry the daughter of the Dragon King of the West Sea, due to his help in eliminating Mr. Old Fox, the foe of the Dragon King.^[3] This is likely a tale fabricated to hold the royal family of Goryeo sacred during its time, as some members of the royal Ko clan of Goguryeo adopted the name Wang (King) for its association with the former taewangs in reality.^[4]

Rise to Power

In 896, Songak became part of the rising state of Later Goguryeo, later known as Taebong. King Gung Ye appointed Wang Geon as the castle lord of Songak.^[5] Wang would later become the chancellor of Taebong. On July 24, 918, four generals of Taebong persuaded Wang Geon to become the king. After the successful coup, Wang Geon was crowned as the first king of Goryeo on the next day, July 25.^[6] He would later unify the Later Three Kingdoms, absorbing Silla and conquering Later Baekje. To ensure his power, Taejo Wang Geon married 29 women from various powerful families, from fellow regional lords, to powerful maritime merchants, and the royals of the fallen Silla kingdom. The House of Wang was originally a primus inter pares amongst other powerful regional families.^[7]

Under Taejo's son, King Gwangjong, Goryeo became a centralised society with the strengthening of royal rule. Gwangjong attempted to curb the power of the aristocrats of the powerful regional families. With the help of Chinese scholar, Shuang Ji, he instituted a civil service examination system in 958. He ruthlessly purged opposition to his centralization reforms, liquidating former comrades of his father.^[8]

Fall and Extermination

In 1388, with the aftermath of the Wihwado Retreat, Goryeo general Yi Seong-gye was able to seize control of Goryeo. Initially, due to lack of legitimacy, Yi placed a puppet king, King Gongyang, on the throne after dethroning both King U and King Chang.^[9] After the assassination of Goryeo loyalist Jeong Mong-ju by Yi's son, Yi Bang-won, there were no more significant opponents of Yi Seong-gye. On August 5, 1392, Yi had gathered enough support to proclaim himself king and end the 474 year rule of the House of the Wang.

Three days later, on August 8, the new royal court ordered the expulsion of all Wangs from Kaesong, with the exceptions of Taejo Yi Seong-gye's in-law, Wang U, his two sons, Wang Jo and Wang Gwan, and civilian official Wang Seung, and his son, Wang Gang. The expelled Wangs were sent to Ganghwa Island and Geoje Island. Wang U was recognized as the ritual heir for the fallen kingdom of Goryeo, and enfeoffed as the Prince Gwiui to perform ancestral rites for the former kings of Goryeo.^[10] On February 16, 1394, two Joseon officials, Dongnae magistrate Kim Ga-haeng (김가행; 金可行) and Bak Jung-jil (박중질; 朴仲質), were caught using a blind fortune teller to discern the future fate of House of Yi and the House of Wang. The incident raised suspicions on the Wangs. On March 28, ex-king Gongyang and his sons were moved to a different place of exile in Samcheok. The remaining royal members of the House of Wang who were on the mainland were moved to Geoje Island. On May 14, King Taejo of Joseon accepted the demands of his royal court to execute the members of the House of Wang, with the exception of the family of his in-law, Wang U.^[11]

On May 15, the Wangs on Ganghwa Island were killed. According to the Veritable Records, they were thrown into the sea. However, oral stories state that the Wangs were tricked into boarding a ship that was supposedly to take them to a new place of exile. However, the ship was intentionally sunk by divers who cut holes into the ship. On May 17, Officials were sent to Samcheok to kill King Gongyang and his two sons. They were strangled to death. On May 20, the royal court proclaimed that an extermination campaign where anyone with the Wang family name was to be apprehended and killed. The remaining Wangs on Geoje Island were killed, with at least 111 former royals killed. In order to survive, the remaining Wangs either went into hiding or assumed their maternal surnames.^[12] Several Wangs were caught during this period of extermination. In December 1397, several illegitimate sons of members of the House of Wang were caught and executed.^[13]

Aftermath

The persecution of the House of Wang finally ended in 1413 under the rule of Joseon's third king, King Taejong. As a result of the persecution, a total of 135 members of the Goryeo royalty were killed, all of them being males close to the direct line of royalty, while the women and those far from the main branch were spared.^[2] Exceptions were also made for certain members from the direct line, such as Wang U and Wang Seung, who took part in the foundation of Joseon and were linked with the House of Yi by marriage. Wang Geoeulomi (왕거을오미; 王巨乙吾未), a descendent of King Hyeonjong, was arrested in Gongju in December 8, 1413. The king refused when the officials asked Taejong to carry out his father's order and kill the royal descendant. On December 19, he issued an edict repealing the extermination and guaranteeing the safety of the remaining survivors of the purge. Taejong commuted the sentences of those who were guilty of not reporting Wang Geoeulomi's existence.^[14] Geoeulomi's son, Wang Sullye, would later be appointed as the ritual heir for the House of Wang by King Munjong, Taejong's grandson, on March 25, 1452.^[15]

Distaff Branches of the House

While the number of Wangs diminished throughout time due to the early persecutions conducted by the Joseon Dynasty, there are still 22,452 members of the Kaesong Wang clan descending from various branches of the royal family as of 2015. The actual numbers were thought to be higher since most of the Wangs changed their surnames, such as the Uiryong Ok clan, which claims to be descended from Chinese immigrants but whose claims are highly attested. Meanwhile, the House of Wang left marks on a significant number of influential Korean clans, attributed to the former's extensive intermarriage policies during the reign of Taejo. Below are representing examples of certain Korean clans descending from the House of Wang through the female line.^[16]

Line of Princess Nakrang of Goryeo, Legitimate Daughter of Taejo

Gyeongju Kim clan (경주 김씨)
Eonyang Kim clan (언양 김씨)
Uisong Kim clan (의성 김씨)
Andong Kim clan (구 안동 김씨)
Gyeongju Lee clan (경주 이씨)
Gwangsan Kim clan (광산 김씨)
Incheon Lee clan (인천 이씨) - Descended from one of the granddaughters of Princess Nakrang.
Papyeong Yun clan (파평 윤씨) - Descended from one of the descendants of Princess Nakrang from the Incheon Yi clan.

Line of Lady Wang, Illegitimate Daughter of Munjong

Seonsan Kim clan (선산 김씨)

Line of Lady Ahn, Illegitimate Daughter of Yejong

Musong Yu clan (무송 유씨)
Namyang Hong clan (남양 홍씨)

Line of Lady Wang, Illegitimate Daughter of Gojong

Haengju Ki clan (행주 기씨)

Line of Lady Gyeonghye, Granddaughter of Wonjong

Gyoha Noh clan (교사 노씨)

Notable members

Wang Jung-Hong, Commissioner of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration
Wang Sang-eun, South Korean politician
Jun Ji-hyun, South Korean actress
Wang Seok-hyun, South Korean actor
Wang Bit-na, South Korean actress
Wang Jiwon, South Korean actress
Wang Ki-chun, South Korean martial artist
Wang Sun-jae, former South Korean footballer

References

^ Kang, H. W. (May 1977). "The First Succession Struggle of Koryŏ, in 945: A Reinterpretation". The Journal of Asian Studies. 36 (3): 411–428. doi:10.2307/2054091. JSTOR 2054091. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
^ ^a ^b Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Rogers, Michael C. (1982). "P'yŏnnyŏn T'ongnok: The Foundation Legend of the Koryŏ State". Journal of Korean Studies. 4 (1): 3–72. doi:10.1353/jks.1982.0005. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
^ Noh/Huston (2014); Korea’s Ancient Koguryŏ Kingdom: A Socio-Political History; Brill; p. 360
^ Vermeersch, Sem (2008). The power of the Buddhas: the politics of Buddhism during the Koryo dynasty 918-1392. Cambridge (Mass.): Harvard university press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0674031883.
^ Kang, Hi-Woong (1964). "The Eclipse of the Silla Aristocracy". The development of the Korean ruling class from late Silla to early Koryo (PhD thesis). University of Washington. ProQuest 302110231. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
^ Breuker, Remco (June 2008). "Forging the truth". East Asian History (35): 1–73. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
^ Lee, Ki-baek (1988). A New History of Korea. ISBN 978-0-67461-576-2.
^ Wang, Sixiang (11 July 2023). Boundless Winds of Empire: Rhetoric and Ritual in Early Chosŏn Diplomacy with Ming China. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-55601-9. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
^ Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 13–15. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 22–27. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 33–37. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 51–53. ISBN 978-1503602083.
^ Lee, Hyeonju (2023). "고려 태조~현종 대 왕실의 혼인 네트워크와 지배층의 형성 (The Origin of the Ruling Elite Group: Focused on Marriage Networks of Royal Families from King Taejo to King Hyeonjong of Goryeo)". DAEDONG MUNHWA YEON'GU. 122: 200–205 – via KCI.

— Royal house — House of Wang Founding year: 918
Preceded by House of Kim House of Gyeon	Ruling House of Korea 918–1392	Succeeded by House of Yi

[Kang1-1] Kang, H. W. (May 1977). "The First Succession Struggle of Koryŏ, in 945: A Reinterpretation". The Journal of Asian Studies. 36 (3): 411–428. doi:10.2307/2054091. JSTOR 2054091. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

[Park-2] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 10–11. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[3] Rogers, Michael C. (1982). "P'yŏnnyŏn T'ongnok: The Foundation Legend of the Koryŏ State". Journal of Korean Studies. 4 (1): 3–72. doi:10.1353/jks.1982.0005. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

[4] Noh/Huston (2014); Korea’s Ancient Koguryŏ Kingdom: A Socio-Political History; Brill; p. 360

[5] Vermeersch, Sem (2008). The power of the Buddhas: the politics of Buddhism during the Koryo dynasty 918-1392. Cambridge (Mass.): Harvard university press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0674031883.

[Kang2-6] Kang, Hi-Woong (1964). "The Eclipse of the Silla Aristocracy". The development of the Korean ruling class from late Silla to early Koryo (PhD thesis). University of Washington. ProQuest 302110231. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

[7] Breuker, Remco (June 2008). "Forging the truth". East Asian History (35): 1–73. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

[KiBaekLee-8] Lee, Ki-baek (1988). A New History of Korea. ISBN 978-0-67461-576-2.

[9] Wang, Sixiang (11 July 2023). Boundless Winds of Empire: Rhetoric and Ritual in Early Chosŏn Diplomacy with Ming China. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-55601-9. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

[10] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 13–15. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[11] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[12] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 22–27. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[13] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[14] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 33–37. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[15] Park, Eugene Y. (2019). A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp. 51–53. ISBN 978-1503602083.

[16] Lee, Hyeonju (2023). "고려 태조~현종 대 왕실의 혼인 네트워크와 지배층의 형성 (The Origin of the Ruling Elite Group: Focused on Marriage Networks of Royal Families from King Taejo to King Hyeonjong of Goryeo)". DAEDONG MUNHWA YEON'GU. 122: 200–205 – via KCI.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 The '''House of Wang''' ({{Korean|왕|王}}) was the royal ruling house of the [[Goryeo]] dynasty (918-1392) of Korea.
-Its founder was [[Taejo of Goryeo|Wang Geon]], the chancellor of [[Taebong]] who overthrew its tyrant king [[Gung Ye]] and founded the new dynasty of Goryeo. His descendants ruled as kings for 474 years. From 1170 to 1270, the Goryeo kings were puppets of the [[Goryeo military regime]]. In 1270, the royal house was able to break the power of the military dictators and became a vassal of the [[Mongol Empire]]. During the [[Goryeo under Mongol rule|Mongol domination of Goryeo]], the House of Wang became semi-autonomous vassals of the Mongol Empire and the [[Yuan dynasty]], and engaged in intermarriage with the ruling [[Borjigin]] clan. In 1356, [[Gongmin of Goryeo|King Gongmin]] was able to restore the independence of Goryeo. However, after the [[Wihwado Retreat]] in 1388, Goryeo general [[Yi Seong-gye]] was able to seize power. In 1392, Yi ended the rule of the House of Wang, proclaiming himself King of [[Joseon]].
+Its founder was [[Taejo of Goryeo|Wang Geon]], the chancellor of [[Taebong]] who overthrew its tyrant king [[Gung Ye]] and founded the new dynasty of Goryeo. His descendants ruled as kings for 474 years. From 1170 to 1270, the Goryeo kings were puppets of the [[Goryeo military regime]]. In 1270, the royal house broke free from the military regime's grasp and volunteered to become vassals of the [[Mongol Empire]]. During the [[Goryeo under Mongol rule|Mongol domination of Goryeo]], the House of Wang became semi-autonomous vassals of the [[Yuan dynasty]], and engaged in intermarriage with the ruling [[Borjigin]] clan. In 1356, [[Gongmin of Goryeo|King Gongmin]] was able to restore the independence of Goryeo. However, after the [[Wihwado Retreat]] in 1388, Goryeo general [[Yi Seong-gye]] was able to seize power. In 1392, Yi ended the rule of the House of Wang, proclaiming himself King of [[Joseon]].
-After their fall from power, the House of Wang was persecuted by the new dynasty. From 1392 to 1413, they were subject to an extermination campaign where anyone with the Wang family name was to be apprehended and killed. Due to the extent of persecution, a majority of Wang Geon's descendants in the modern-day [[Kaesong Wang clan]] are descendants of his fifteenth son, [[Prince Hyoeun]] via Wang Mi ({{korean|hangul=왕미|hanja=王亹}}, 1365-?), a survivor of the extermination.
+After they fell from power, the House of Wang was persecuted by the new dynasty. From 1392 to 1413, they were subject to an extermination campaign where male members from the direct line of the royal Wang family were to be apprehended and killed. Due to the extent of persecution, a majority of Wang Geon's descendants in the modern-day [[Kaesong Wang clan]] are descendants of his fifteenth son, [[Prince Hyoeun]] via Wang Mi ({{korean|hangul=왕미|hanja=王亹}}, 1365-?), a survivor of the extermination.
 ==History==
-===Origin===
+===Hagiographical Origins===
+The House of Wang originated from the local, regional lords, or hojok ({{Korean|호족|豪族|labels=no}}), of the [[Kaesong|Song'ak]] region. The ancestors of Wang Geon were influential maritime merchants from Goguryeo.<ref name="Kang1">{{cite journal |last1=Kang |first1=H. W. |title=The First Succession Struggle of Koryŏ, in 945: A Reinterpretation |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |date=May 1977 |volume=36 |issue=3 |pages=411–428 |doi=10.2307/2054091 |jstor=2054091 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-asian-studies/article/abs/first-succession-struggle-of-koryo-in-945-a-reinterpretation/FB90F46A34FE00E5FDC8E0E2EC5331A8#article |access-date=18 July 2023}}</ref> [[Jakjegeon]], whose real name is unknown and is the grandfather of Wang Geon, was an influential figure beyond the boundaries of Song'ak, reaching as far as [[Ganghwa Island]]. Wang Geon's father, [[Wang Ryung]], was also a powerful ''hojok'' who facilitated civil trade with [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]].<ref name="Park">{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=10–11}}</ref>
-The name Wang (King) was adopted by some Ko families of Goguryeo for its association with royalty.<ref>Noh/Huston (2014); Korea’s Ancient Koguryŏ Kingdom: A Socio-Political History; Brill; p. 360</ref>
-The House of Wang originated from the local regional lords, or hojok ({{Korean|호족|豪族|labels=no}}), of the [[Kaesong|Songak]] region. The ancestors of Wang Geon were thought to be influential maritime merchants.<ref name="Kang1">{{cite journal |last1=Kang |first1=H. W. |title=The First Succession Struggle of Koryŏ, in 945: A Reinterpretation |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |date=May 1977 |volume=36 |issue=3 |pages=411–428 |doi=10.2307/2054091 |jstor=2054091 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-asian-studies/article/abs/first-succession-struggle-of-koryo-in-945-a-reinterpretation/FB90F46A34FE00E5FDC8E0E2EC5331A8#article |access-date=18 July 2023}}</ref> [[Jakjegeon]], the grandfather of Wang Geon, had influence beyond Songak, reaching as far as [[Ganghwa Island]]. Wang Geon's father, [[Wang Ryung]], is thought to be the first likely member of the family to adopt the surname, Wang, mostly likely to facilitate trade with [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]].<ref name="Park">{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=10–11}}</ref>
+The Wangs claimed ancestry from the legendary Dragon King of the [[Yellow Sea|West Sea]] via the wife of Jakjegeon, later posthumously honored as [[Queen Wonchang]]. According to the ''Pyeonnyeon Tongnok'' ({{Korean|편년통록|編年通錄|labels=no}}) by Kim Gwan-ui, Jakjegeon was able to marry the daughter of the Dragon King of the West Sea, due to his help in eliminating Mr. Old Fox, the foe of the Dragon King.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rogers |first1=Michael C. |title=P'yŏnnyŏn T'ongnok: The Foundation Legend of the Koryŏ State |journal=Journal of Korean Studies |date=1982 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=3–72 |doi=10.1353/jks.1982.0005 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/409298/pdf |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref> This is likely a tale fabricated to hold the royal family of Goryeo sacred during its time, as some members of the royal Ko clan of Goguryeo adopted the name Wang (King) for its association with the former [[Taewang|''taewangs'']] in reality.<ref>Noh/Huston (2014); Korea’s Ancient Koguryŏ Kingdom: A Socio-Political History; Brill; p. 360</ref>
-The Wangs claimed ancestry from Dragon King of the [[Yellow Sea|West Sea]] via the wife of Jakjegeon, later posthumously honoured as [[Queen Wonchang]]. According to the ''Pyeonnyeon Tongnok'' ({{Korean|편년통록|編年通錄|labels=no}}) by Kim Gwan-ui, Jakjegeon was able to marry the daughter of the Dragon King of the West Sea, due to his help in eliminating Mr. Old Fox, the foe of the Dragon King.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rogers |first1=Michael C. |title=P'yŏnnyŏn T'ongnok: The Foundation Legend of the Koryŏ State |journal=Journal of Korean Studies |date=1982 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=3–72 |doi=10.1353/jks.1982.0005 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/409298/pdf |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
 ===Rise to Power===
@@ Line 39: / Line 37: @@
 On May 15, the Wangs on Ganghwa Island were killed. According to the ''[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty|Veritable Records]]'', they were thrown into the sea. However, oral stories state that the Wangs were tricked into boarding a ship that was supposedly to take them to a new place of exile. However, the ship was intentionally sunk by divers who cut holes into the ship. On May 17, Officials were sent to Samcheok to kill King Gongyang and his two sons. They were strangled to death. On May 20, the royal court proclaimed that an extermination campaign where anyone with the Wang family name was to be apprehended and killed. The remaining Wangs on Geoje Island were killed, with at least 111 former royals killed. In order to survive, the remaining Wangs either went into hiding or assumed their maternal surnames.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=22–27}}</ref> Several Wangs were caught during this period of extermination. In December 1397, several illegitimate sons of members of the House of Wang were caught and executed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |page=31}}</ref>
+=== Aftermath ===
-The persecution of the House of Wang finally ended in 1413 in the rule of Joseon's third king, King Taejong. Wang Geoeulomi ({{korean|hangul=왕거을오미|hanja=王巨乙吾未|labels=no}}), a descendent of [[Hyeonjong of Goryeo|King Hyeonjong]], was arrested in [[Gongju]] in December 8, 1413. When the officials asked Taejong to carry out his father's order and kill the royal descendent, the king refused. In December 19, he issued an edict repealing the extermination and guaranteed the safety the remaining survivors of purge. Taejong commuted the sentences of those who were guilty not reporting Wang Geoeulomi's existence.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=33–37}}</ref>  Geoeulomi's son, Wang Sullye, would later be appointed as the ritual heir for the House of Wang by [[Munjong of Joseon|King Munjong]], Taejong's grandson, in March 25, 1452.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=51–53}}</ref>
+The persecution of the House of Wang finally ended in 1413 under the rule of Joseon's third king, King Taejong. As a result of the persecution, '''a total of 135 members of the Goryeo royalty were killed''', all of them being males close to the direct line of royalty, while the women and those far from the main branch were spared.<ref name="Park" /> Exceptions were also made for certain members from the direct line, such as Wang U and Wang Seung, who took part in the foundation of Joseon and were linked with the [[House of Yi]] by marriage. Wang Geoeulomi ({{korean|hangul=왕거을오미|hanja=王巨乙吾未|labels=no}}), a descendent of [[Hyeonjong of Goryeo|King Hyeonjong]], was arrested in [[Gongju]] in December 8, 1413. The king refused when the officials asked Taejong to carry out his father's order and kill the royal descendant. On December 19, he issued an edict repealing the extermination and guaranteeing the safety of the remaining survivors of the purge. Taejong commuted the sentences of those who were guilty of not reporting Wang Geoeulomi's existence.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=33–37}}</ref>  Geoeulomi's son, Wang Sullye, would later be appointed as the ritual heir for the House of Wang by [[Munjong of Joseon|King Munjong]], Taejong's grandson, on March 25, 1452.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Eugene Y. |title=A Genealogy of Dissent: The Progeny of Fallen Royals in Chosŏn Korea |date=2019 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-1503602083 |pages=51–53}}</ref>
+== Distaff Branches of the House ==
+While the number of Wangs diminished throughout time due to the early persecutions conducted by the [[Joseon|Joseon Dynasty]], there are still 22,452 members of the Kaesong Wang clan descending from various branches of the royal family as of 2015. The actual numbers were thought to be higher since most of the Wangs changed their surnames, such as the [[Uiryeong Ok clan|Uiryong Ok clan]], which claims to be descended from Chinese immigrants but whose claims are highly attested. Meanwhile, the House of Wang left marks on a significant number of influential Korean clans, attributed to the former's extensive intermarriage policies during the reign of [[Taejo of Goryeo|Taejo]]. Below are representing examples of certain Korean clans descending from the House of Wang through the female line.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lee |first=Hyeonju |date=2023 |title=고려 태조~현종 대 왕실의 혼인 네트워크와 지배층의 형성 (The Origin of the Ruling Elite Group: Focused on Marriage Networks of Royal Families from King Taejo to King Hyeonjong of Goryeo) |url=https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/ci/sereArticleSearch/ciSereArtiView.kci?sereArticleSearchBean.artiId=ART002971943 |journal=DAEDONG MUNHWA YEON'GU |volume=122 |pages=200-205 |via=KCI}}</ref>
+==== Line of Princess Nakrang of Goryeo, Legitimate Daughter of [[Taejo of Goryeo|Taejo]] ====
+* [[Gyeongju Kim clan]] (경주 김씨)
+* Eonyang Kim clan (언양 김씨)
+* Uisong Kim clan (의성 김씨)
+* [[Andong Kim clan]] (구 안동 김씨)
+* [[Lee (Korean surname)|Gyeongju Lee clan]] (경주 이씨)
+* [[Gwangsan Kim clan]] (광산 김씨)
+* [[Incheon Lee clan]] (인천 이씨) - Descended from one of the granddaughters of [[Princess Nakrang (Goryeo)|Princess Nakrang]].
+* [[Yun (Korean surname)|Papyeong Yun clan]] (파평 윤씨) - Descended from one of the descendants of [[Princess Nakrang (Goryeo)|Princess Nakrang]] from the Incheon Yi clan.
+==== Line of Lady Wang, Illegitimate Daughter of [[Munjong of Goryeo|Munjong]] ====
+* Seonsan Kim clan (선산 김씨)
+==== Line of Lady Ahn, Illegitimate Daughter of [[Yejong of Goryeo|Yejong]] ====
+* [[Musong Yu clan]] (무송 유씨)
+* [[Namyang Hong clan]] (남양 홍씨)
+==== Line of Lady Wang, Illegitimate Daughter of [[Gojong of Goryeo|Gojong]] ====
+* [[Haengju Gi clan|Haengju Ki clan]] (행주 기씨)
+==== Line of Lady Gyeonghye, Granddaughter of [[Wonjong of Goryeo|Wonjong]] ====
+* [[Gyoha No clan|Gyoha Noh clan]] (교사 노씨)
+== Notable members ==
+* Wang Jung-Hong, Commissioner of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration
+* Wang Sang-eun, South Korean politician
+* [[Jun Ji-hyun]], South Korean actress
+* [[Wang Seok-hyeon|Wang Seok-hyun]], South Korean actor
+* [[Wang Bit-na]], South Korean actress
+* [[Wang Ji-won|Wang Jiwon]], South Korean actress
+* [[Wang Ki-chun]], South Korean martial artist
+* [[Wang Sun-jae]], former South Korean footballer
 ==See also==