Revised Romanization of Korean [105 The King of Korea.]

Korean Rulers
*Note Accuracy of the rulers of Gojoseon and the Buyeos unkown as some seem to have been taken from Handangogi, an unverified source. Handangogi is often cited by extreme nationalists and has been called blashpemy by more accepted and moderate sources. All the other kings should be ok though.

Kingdoms/Empires are listed in the order of their fall. Thus, Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla are listed an order that is the reverse of their traditional order of formation.

This list includes only the monarchs' romanized posthumous or temple names and reign dates. The reign dates come from http://www.rootsinfo.co.kr/index_sub02.html (in Korean only), with additional information from Rulers.org and from Nahm (1988).

Names have been romanized according to the South Korean Revised Romanization of Korean. Mc Cune-Reischauer romanizations of names may be found at the articles about the individual rulers.

Go-Joseon (2333 BC? - 239 BC?)고조선 古朝鮮

The mythical founder of Go-Joseon was Emperor Wanggeom.

The time for the end of Joseon is disputed. Some record records the abdication of last emperor, Emperor Koyulga, in BC 239. Other accounts record the date as BC 1137. The period of reign for each emperor is not listed as neither account currently prevails. According to one account, the dynasty's name was changed to Daebuyeo in BC 425. The emperor used the title of Tanje, which literarilly means emperor under the birch.

1. Emperor Wanggeom
2. Emperor Buru
3. Emperor Gareuk
4. Emperor Osagu
5. Emperor Gueul
6. Emperor Dalmun
7. Emperor Hanyul
8. Emperor Usuhan
9. Emperor Aseul
10. Emperor Noul
11. Emperor Dohae
12. Emperor Ahan
13. Emperor Holdal
14. Emperor Gobul
15. Emperor Daeum
16. Emperor Wina
17. Emperor Yeoul
18. Emperor Dongum
19. Emperor Gumoso
20. Emperor Goheul
21. Emperor Sotae
22. Emperor Saekbullu
23. Emperor Aheul
24. Emperor Yeonna
25. Emperor Solna
26. Emperor Churo
27. Emperor Dumil
28. Emperor Haemo
29. Emperor Mahew
30. Emperor Naehew
31. Emperor Deungowl
32. Emperor Chumil
33. Emperor Kammul
34. Emperor Orumun
35. Emperor Sabul
36. Emperor Maereuk
37. Emperor Mamul
38. Emperor Damul
39. Emperor Duhol
40. Emperor Dalum
41. Emperor Eumcha
42. Emperor Eulwuji
43. Emperor Mulli
44. Emperor Kumul
45. Emperor Yeoru
46. Emperor Boeul
47. Emperor Koyeolga

Buyeo (?239 BC-494) 부여 夫餘

Buyeo is believed to have risen from the areas of Joseon in 2nd-3rd century BC. They claimed the inheritance of Joseon, and the rulers continued to use the titles of Tanje or the emperor. According to some accounts, Buyeo was divided into two countries, Bukbuyeo and Dongbuyeo, in 108 BC. Bukbuyeo was later succeeded by Goguryeo, but Dongbuyeo, ruled by the heirs of Emperor Haemosu, was shattered by Goguryeo in 22 AD. Dongbuyeo declined to meagre existence until 494, when they capitulated to Goguryeo.

1. Emperor Haemosu (239 BC-195 BC)
2. Emperor Morisu (195 BC-170 BC)
3. Emperor Gohaesa (170 BC-121 BC)
4. Emperor Gowuru (121 BC-86 BC)

Bukbuyeo (?108 BC-?58 BC) 북부여 北夫餘

The rulers of Bukbuyeo retained the use the title of Tanje, or the emperor.

1. Emperor Godumak (108 BC-60 BC)
2. Emperor Gomuseu (60 BC-58 BC)

Dongbuyeo (?86 BC-AD 22) 東夫餘

The rulers of Dongbuyeo submitted to the overlordship of Bukbuyeo in 86 BC and thus used the title of Wang, which means king.

1. King Haeburu (86 BC-48 BC)
2. King Geumwa (48 BC-7 BC)
3. King Daeso (7 BC-AD 22)

Gaya (Garak) (42-532) 가야 加耶 or 伽倻

Gaya (also called "Garak") was a minor state (that is, not one of the three major kingdoms) during the Three Kingdoms Period. Gaya was absorbed into Silla in 532.

*Note by me: Gaya was more of a confederacy of many states and the following lineage represents only those of Bon (Geumgang) Gaya and Dae Gaya (The Mioyama state).

All kings of Gaya had the Korean title Wang, which means "king." This list represents the Kim Dynasty of Geumgwan (Bon) Gaya.

1. King Suro (42-199)
2. King Geodeung (199-259)
3. King Mapum (259-291)
4. King Geojilmi (291-346)
5. King Isipum (346-407)
6. King Jwaji (407-421)
7. King Chwiheui (421-451)
8. King Jilji (451-492)
9. King Gyumji (492-521)
10. King Guhyung (521-532)

*Lineage of Dae Gaya (Mioyama state) Many kings unknown.

1st King Ijinashi
9th King Anoi
16th King Doseolji
?th King Haji

Baekje (18 BC-AD 660) 백제 百濟

Baekje was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in the 1st millennium AD (along with Goguryeo and Silla), and fell to Silla in 660.

All kings of Baekje had the Korean title Wang, which means "king."

1. King Onjo (18 BC-AD 29)
2. King Daru (29-77)
3. King Giru (77-128)
4. King Gaeru (128-166)
5. King Chogo (166-214)
6. King Gusu (214-234)
7. King Saban (234)
8. King Goi (234-286)
9. King Chaekgye (286-298)
10. King Bunseo (298-304)
11. King Biryu (304-344)
12. King Gye (344-346)
13. King Geunchogo (346-375)
14. King Geungusu (375-384)
15. King Chimnyu (384-385)
16. King Jinsa (385-392)
17. King Asin (392-405)
18. King Jeonji (405-420)
19. King Guisin (420-427)
20. King Biyu (427-454)
21. King Gaero (454-475)
22. King Munju (475-477)
23. King Samgeun (477-479
24. King Dongseong (479-501)
25. King Muryeong (501-523)
26. King Seong (523-554)
27. King Wideok (554-598)
28. King Hye (598-599)
29. King Beop (599-600)
30. King Mu (600-641)
31. King Uija (641-660)

Goguryeo (37 BC - AD 668) 고구려 高句麗

Goguryeo was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in the first millennium AD (along with Baekje and Silla), and fell to Silla in 668.

Goguryeo was ruled by the Go clan. Most Goguryeo rulers used the title Wang, or "King," but one exception to this was Gwanggaeto, who used the title Daewang, meaning "great king" or "emperor."

1. King Dongmyeongseong (Damul) (37 BC-19 BC) (also known as Jumong)
2. King Yuri (19 BC-AD 18)
3. King Daemushin (18-44)
4. King Minjung (44-48)
5. King Mobon (48-53)
6. King Taejo (Ryeungmu) (53-121 / 146) (also known as King Gukjo)
7. King Chadae (121 / 146-165)
8. King Shindae (165-179)
9. King Gogukcheon (179-197)
10. King Sinsang (197-227)
11. King Dongcheon (227-248) (also known as King Dongyang)
12. King Jungcheon (248-270) (also known as King Jungyang)
13. King Seocheon (270-292) (also known as King Seoyang)
14. King Bongsang (292-300) (also known as King Chagal)
15. King Micheon (300-331) (also known as King Hoyang)
16. King Gogukwon (331-371) (also known as King Gukgangsang)
17. King Sosurim (371-384)
18. King Gogukyang (384-391)
19. Emperor Gwanggaeto the Great (Youngrak) (391-413)
20. King Jangsu (Gunheung) (413-491)
21. King Munjamyeong (Myungchi) (491-519)
22. King Anjang (519-531)
23. King Anwon (531-545)
24. King Yangwon (545-559) (also known as King Yanggang)
25. King Pyeongwon (Daeduk) (559-590) (also known as King Pyeonggang)
26. King Yeongyang (Hongmu) (590-618) (also known as King Pyeongyang)
27. King Yeongnyu (618-642)
28. King Bojang (Kaehwa) (642-668)

Silla (Shilla) (57 BC - AD 935) 신라 新羅

Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in the 1st millennium AD, along with Baekje (which it conquered in 660) and Goguryeo (which it defeated in 668). Silla fell in turn to Goryeo in 935. The post-668 kingdom is often referred to by academics as Unified Silla, since it was the first unified state to rule over most of the Korean peninsula.

Silla was ruled by the Bak, Seok, and Kim Dynasties. Rulers of Silla had various titles, includingm *Geoseogan, Isageum, Maripgan, Wang, and Yeowang, as explained in the list below. For the sake of consistency, all rulers in the list below (except for the first two) are given the titles "King" or "Queen."

1. Bak Hyeokgeose (57 BC-AD 4) *Only ruler to hold title Geoseogan, pronounced Guh Suh Gan.
2. Namhae Chachaung (4-24)
3. King Yuri (24-57) (Kings Yuri through Heurhae had the Korean title Isageum, an old word for "ruler")
4. King Tarhae (57-80)
5. King Pasa (80-112)
6. King Jima (112-134)
7. King Ilseong (134-154)
8. King Adalla (154-184)
9. King Beorhyu (184-196)
10. King Nahae (196-230)
11. King Jobun (230-247)
12. King Cheomhae (247-261)
13. King Michu (262-284)
14. King Yurye (284-298)
15. King Girim (298-310)
16. King Heurhae (310-356)
17. King Naemul (356-402) (Kings Naemul through Soji had the Korean title Maripgan, an old word for "ruler")
18. King Silseong (402-417)
19. King Nulji (417-458)
20. King Jabi (458-479)
21. King Soji (479-500)
22. King Jijeung (500-514) (Kings Jijeung through Gyeongsun had the title Wang (the modern Korean word for "king"), with the exceptions noted below)
23. King Beopheung (514-540)
24. King Jinheung (540-576)
25. King Jinji (576-579)
26. King Jinpyeong (579-632)
27. Queen Seondeok (632-647) (Queens Seondeok and Jindeok had the title Yeowang, meaning "queen")
28. Queen Jindeok (647-654)
29. King Muyeol (654-661)
30. King Munmu (661-681)
31. King Sinmun (681-691)
32. King Hyoso (692-702)
33. King Seongdeok the Great (702-737) ("King Seongdeok the Great" is a translation of Seongdeok Daewang; "Daewang" meaning "great king")
34. King Hyoseong (737-742)
35. King Gyeongdeok (742-765)
36. King Hyegong (765-780)
37. King Seondeok (780-785)
38. King Wonseong (785-798)
39. King Soseong (798-800)
40. King Aejang (800-809)
41. King Heondeok (809-826)
42. King Heungdeok (826-836)
43. King Huigang (836-838)
44. King Minae (838-839)
45. King Sinmu (839)
46. King Munseong (839-857)
47. King Heonan (857-861)
48. King Gyeongmun (861-875)
49. King Heongang (875-886)
50. King Jeonggang (886-887)
51. Queen Jinseong (887-897) (Queen Jinseong had the Korean title Yeowang, which means "queen")
52. King Hyogong (897-912)
53. King Sindeok (913-917)
54. King Gyeongmyeong (917-924)
55. King Gyeongae (924-927)
56. King Gyeongsun (927-935)

Jin (Barhae) (669-926) 발해 渤海 / 진 震 or 振

Jin (진), (Barhae (발해)) (Bohai in Mandarin) was an empire that occupied territory in Korea, Manchuria, and modern-day Russia during the Unified Silla period. Jin is the name of the country chosen by the rulers, and Barhae (Bohai) is what China named the empire. The rulers of Jin used the title of Hwangje, which is translated to be emperor, and they claimed the inheritance of Goguryeo. They had the temple name of either -jo or -jong, though there are exceptions for deposed rulers. Their era names are in bracket when available.

1. Emperor Sejo Yeol (Joongkwang) (669-698)
2. Emperor Taejo Ko (Chuntong) (698-719)
3. Emperor Kwangjong Mu (Inan) (719-738)
4. Emperor Sejong Mun (Daeheung) (738-794)
5. Emperor Daewonui (794)
6. Emperor Injong Sung(Joongheung (794-795)
7. Emperor Mokjong Kang(Chungryuk) (795-809)
8. Emperor Uijong Jung (Youngduk) (809-812)
9. Emperor Kangjong Hui (Jujak) (812-817)
10. Emperor Cheoljong Kan(Taeshi) (817-818)
11. Emperor Sungjong Sung (Kunheung) (818-832)
12. Emperor Jangjong Hwa (Hamhwa) (832-858)
13. Emperor Sunjong Ahn (Daejong) (858-871)
14. Emperor Myungjong Kyung (Chunbok) (878-894
15. Emperor Daewihae (894-906)
16. Emperor Aeje (Chungtae) (901-926)

Goryeo (918-1392) 고려 高麗

The kingdom of Goryeo was founded in 918 and defeated Silla in 935-936, making "Goryeo" the name of Korea. (Incidentally, "Goryeo" is the source of the English name "Korea.") In 1392, the kingdom fell to the Joseon Dynasty.

Goryeo was ruled by the Wang Dynasty. The first king had the temple name Taejo, which means "great progenitor" and was applied to the first kings of both Goryeo and Joseon, as they were also the founders of the Wang and Yi Dynasties respectively. The next 23 kings (until Wonjong) are also referred to by their temple names, which had the title jong in them. Beginning with Chungnyeol (the 25th king), all the remaining kings of Goryeo had the title Wang—the standard Sino-Korean word for "King"—as part of their temple names. Era names are in brackets where available.

1. King Taejo (Chunsu) (918-943)
2. King Hyejong (943-945)
3. King Jeongjong (945-949)
4. King Gwangjong (949-975)
5. King Gyeongjong (975-981)
6. King Seongjong (981-997)
7. King Mokjong (997-1009)
8. King Hyeonjong (1009-1031)
9. King Deokjong (1031-1034)
10. King Jeongjong (1034-1046)
11. King Munjong (1046-1083)
12. King Sunjong (1083)
13. King Seonjong (1083-1094)
14. King Heonjong (1094-1095)
15. King Sukjong (1095-1105)
16. King Hyejong (1105-1122)
17. King Injong (1122-1146)
18. King Euijong (1146-1170)
19. King Myeongjong (1170-1197)
20. King Sinjong (1197-1204)
21. King Heuijong (1204-1211)
22. King Gangjong (1211-1213)
23. King Gojong (1213-1259)
24. King Weonjong (1259-1274)
25. King Chungnyeol (1274-1308) (Chungnyeol was the first king of Goryeo to have the title Wang, which means "King")
26. King Chungseon (1308-1313)
27. King Chungsuk (1313-1330; 1332-1339)
28. King Chunghye (1330-1332; 1339-1344)
29. King Chungmok (1344-1348)
30. King Chungjeong (1348-1351)
31. King Gongmin (1351-1374)
32. King U (1374-1388)
33. King Chang (1388-1389)
34. King Gongyang (1389-1392)

Joseon (1392-1897) 조선 朝鮮

Joseon was the name of Korea during most the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled from the fall of Goryeo in 1392 until the beginning of the Republic of Korea in 1919. In 1897, the country became the Korean Empire. Some of the kings were posthumously raised to the rank of emperors.

Joseon Dynasty kings/emperors had temple names ending in jo or jong. Jo was given to the first kings/emperors of new lines within the dynasty, with the first king/emperor having the special name (Taejo), which means "great progenitor" (see also Goryeo). Jong was given to all other kings/emperors. Two kings—Yeonsangun and Gwanghaegun— were so disgraced in the eyes of later official historians that they were deprived of their temple names after their reigns ended. Each king/emperor had a posthumous name—which was different from his temple name—that included either the title Wang ("King"),Hwangje ("Emperor"), Daewang ("King X the Great") or Daeje ("Emperor X the Great"). For the sake of consistency, the title "King/Emperor" has been added to each monarch's temple name in the list below.

1. Emperor Taejo (1392-1398)
2. King Jeongjong (1398-1400)
3. King Taejong (1400-1418)
4. King Sejong the Great (1418-1450)
5. King Munjong (1450-1452)
6. King Danjong (1452-1455)
7. King Sejo (1455-1468)
8. King Yejong (1468-1469)
9. King Seongjong (1469-1494)
10. Yeonsangun (1494-1506)
11. King Jungjong (1506-1544)
12. King Injong (1544-1545)
13. King Myeongjong (1545-1567)
14. King Seonjo (1567-1608)
15. Gwanghaegun (1608-1623)
16. King Injo (1623-1649)
17. King Hyojong (1649-1659)
18. King Hyeonjong (1659-1674)
19. King Sukjong (1674-1720)
20. King Gyeongjong (1720-1724)
21. King Yeongjo (1724-1776)
22. Emperor Jeongjo (1776-1800)
23. Emperor Sunjo (1800-1834)
24. Emperor Heonjong (1834-1849)
25. Emperor Cheoljong (1849-1864)
26. Emperor Gojong (1864-1897)

Korean Empire (1897-1919) 대한 제국 大韓帝國

In 1897, Korea was renamed Daehan Jeguk (Korean Empire, or literally, "Great Han Empire"). King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty became the first emperor (Hwangje in Korean). Technically, the emperors should be referred to by their era names rather than their temple names, but the latter are commonly used.

Emperor Gojong's reign was given the era name "Gwangmu," while Sunjong's reign had the era name "Yeonghui."

From 1910 to 1945, there was also a Japanese Governor-General of Korea.

1. Emperor Gojong (Kwangmu) (1897-1907)
2. Emperor Sunjong (Yeonghui) (1907-1919)

Presidents of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (1919-1948)

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was based in Shanghai, China. Although the current South Korean government insists on being its successor to assert legitimacy,and indeed some countries recognised the government, including China, the government was not internationally recognized by all great powers..

1. Syngman Rhee 이승만 (1919-1925)
2. Park Eunshik 박은식 (1925)
3. Yi Sangryong 이상룡 (1925-1926)
4. Hong Jin (Hong Myunhui) 홍진 (홍면희) (1926)
5. Yi Dongnyung 이동녕 (1926-1927)
6. Kim Ku 김구 (1927-1948)

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948-present)
조선민주주의인민공화국 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國


1. 1948-1994 President Kim Il-sung
2. 1994-present Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong-il

Republic of Korea (1948-present) 대한 민국 大韓民國

Main Article: Presidents of South Korea

1. 1948-1960 1st, 2nd, 3rd President Syngman Rhee (The 1st Republic)
2. 1960-1962 4th President Yun Boseon (The 2nd Republic)
3. 1963-1979 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th President Park Chunghee (The 3rd/4th Republic)
4. 1979-1980 10th President Choi Kyuha
5. 1980-1988 11th, 12th President Chun Doo-hwan (The 5th Republic)
6. 1988-1993 13th President Roh Tae-woo (The 6th Republic)
7. 1993-1998 14th President Kim Young-sam (The Civil Government)
8. 1998-2003 15th President Kim Dae-jung (The Government of the People)
9. 2003-present 16th president Roh Moo-hyun (The Participatory Government)

Source :http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?showtopic=1898&st=0