Quick Facts
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Yi Seong-Gye
Korean ruler
Also known as: Taejo
Yi Seong-Gye (born 1335—died 1408) was the founder of the Korean Joseon (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910). A military leader in the Goryeo dynasty, he rose through the ranks by battling invading forces. He defeated his rivals and drove out the last king of the Goryeo dynasty, taking the throne in 1392. He established his capital at Hanyang (now Seoul). He and his successors redistributed land, which had been concentrated in the hands of a few high-ranking bureaucrats, throughout the various levels of officialdom. In a break with the past, he made neo-Confucianism the state religion, replacing Buddhism. Farming was made the center of the economy. In foreign relations, he maintained a close relationship with China’s Ming dynasty.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Ethan Teekah.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.