King Mobon (30–53, r. 48–53) was the fifth king of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
Background and reign
According to the Samguk sagi, a 12th-century Korean history of the Three Kingdoms, Mobon was the eldest son of Goguryeo's third king Daemusin. Although Mobon was the crown prince at the time of Daemusin's death, because of Mobon's youth, Daemusin's younger brother Minjung ascended to the throne. Mobon became king upon Minjung's death. However, in the Samguk yusa, Mobon is described as Minjung's older brother.
The Samguk sagi notes that Mobon's character was fierce and stubborn, and he incurred the resentment of the common people. In 49, he attacked the Beiping, Yuyang, Shanggu, and Taiyuan commanderies of Han dynasty, several times, but later signed a treaty with Han.
In 52, he became increasingly tyrannical, often sitting on people or using them as pillows to lie on, and if anyone moved, he would kill them. If any of his subjects tried to advise him, he would shoot them with an arrow.
In 53, he was eventually killed by Duro, an attendant who was from Mobon-won, who had become fearful of the king. Someone said to him, "Why does a brave man weep? The ancients said, 'He who nurtures us is our ruler; he who oppresses us is our enemy.' Now the King acts with cruelty and kills people; he is the enemy of the people. You should take action against him." Duro hid a knife and approached the King. The King drew him near to sit down on him, whereupon Duro pulled out the knife and stabbed him to death. The King was subsequently buried at Mobon-won, and was given the posthumous title King Mobon.
He named his son Ik the crown prince, but upon Mobon's death, there was a power struggle for the throne. He was succeeded by prince Ko Kung, a grandson of Yuri of Goguryeo.