The Succesion to the Throne of King Huigang and Kim Myeong(King Minae) in Later Silla

This paper was written for the purpose of re-examining the process of succession to the throne and the downfall of King Huigang(僖康王). The majority of researchers concluded that King Huigang's enthronement was made by the Kim Myeong(金明), and they understood that King Huigang was only a stepping stone to the King Minae(閔哀王). Also, the fact that King Huigang was murdered is understood as a fixed procedure. However, It is not clear that why Kim myeong would have placed King Huigang on Silla’s throne. Also, if Kim Myeong's enthronement was a truly fixed procedure, Kim Myeong would not have killed King Huigang. Because it harms his legitimacy himself. Through this critical mind, I would like to re-examine the process of King Huigang’s process of enthronement to downfall. In Chapter II, I have identified Kim Je-Ryung(金悌隆, King Huigang) and Kim Myeong's traces in the reign of King Heondeok and King Heungdeok. Kim Je-Ryung was participated in suppressing the rebellion of Kim Heon- Chang(金憲昌), and his office rank was Pajinchan(波珍飡). And Kim Je-Ryung’s father, Kim Heon-Jeong was military commander(兵部令). Kim Myeong was appointed to chief minister(侍中) with the office rank of Great Achan(大阿飡) in reign of King Heungdeok(興德王). Kim Chung-Gong(金忠恭), the father of Kim Myeong, was extraordinary rank one(上大等) and crown prince. When examined the lineage, office rank, and career experience of Kim Je-Ryung and Kim Myeong, it is difficult to clearly determine the power of Kim Myeong and Kim Je-Ryung. In Chapter III, the reason for the collusion of Kim Je-Ryung and Kim Myeong during succession struggle after death of King Heungdeok was examined. After death of King Heungdeok, Kim Kyun-Jeong, the extraordinary rank one, rose to the throne. Then Kim Myeong supported Kim Je-Ryung and fought with Kim Kyun-Jeong. At this time, Kim Je-Ryung and Kim Myeong conspired with each other because they needed each other's military power in order to win the succession struggle. In Chapter IV, I discussed the reason that King Huigang and Kim Myeong were separated, and that Kim Myeong killed King Huigang. At first, King Huigang and Kim Myeong was regarded as a political partnership. However, King Huigang set Kim Chung-Gong to the Galmun Wang(葛文王), not the King, Kim Myeong interfered with taking over the remaining forces of Kim Kyun-jeong. For this reason, it seems that King Huigang and Kim Myeong are separated. After that, Kim Ui-Jeong(金誼靖), came back from Tang. And Kim Myeong who felt a sense of political crisis seemed to have killed King Huigang.