Gongmin of Goryeo

Gongmin (1330–1374) was the 31st king of Goryeo, second son of Chungsuk. A hostage at the Yuan court, he succeeded in 1351 as Yuan power crumbled. He purged pro-Yuan nobles and in 1356 recovered Ssangseong and Dongnyeong with the aid of defecting Goryeo generals. Red Turban armies invaded in 1359 and 1361, briefly occupying Gaegyeong before being driven out.

His land reforms met strong resistance. After Queen Noguk died in childbirth in 1365 he entrusted the state to the reforming monk Sin Don, executed in 1371. In 1374 his guards murdered him in his bedchamber, and young King U succeeded.