Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn

Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn
최충헌
Military Leader of Goryeo
Imperial Guardian
In office
1196–1219
MonarchsMyeongjong of Goryeo
Sinjong of Goryeo
Huijong of Goryeo
Gangjong of Goryeo
Gojong of Goryeo
Preceded byYi Ŭi-min
Succeeded byCh'oe U
Personal details
Born1149
Gaeseong or Gyeongju
Died29 October 1219 (aged 70)
Spouse(s)Lady Song
Princess Jeonghwa
Princess Suseong
ChildrenCh'oe U
Ch'oe Hyang
Ch'oe Ku
Unnamed son
Ch'oe Sŏng
Parents
  • Ch'oe Wŏnho (father)
  • Lady Yu (mother)
Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn
Hangul
최충헌
Hanja
崔忠獻
Revised RomanizationChoe Chungheon
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Ch'unghŏn

Ch'oe Ch'unghŏn (Korean: 최충헌; Hanja: 崔忠獻; 1149 – 29 October 1219) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period. After overthrowing the previous military ruler, Yi Ŭimin, Ch'oe consolidated his power through purges and presented reform measures known as 'Bongsa Sipjo' (封事十條). To maintain control, he created a dual administration, with private government institutions and private military forces answering directly to him, while maintaining the government structures of the old dynastic regime and limiting its authority. His power was so immense that he replaced four kings and established a power base that maintained the Ch'oe family's military regime for over 60 years.