House of Ki

The House of Ki, also known as the Hengdjoe Ki clan, was the royal family of Corea and Poeja from 1883 to 1935. A nobleman from the clan, the future King Tedjo, founded the state of Sjakwang after overthrowing the House of Yi.

History

Ancient Origins

The Hengdjoe Ki clan is one of the oldest continuous lineages in Corean history, and is one of three clans descendant of Emperor Kidja of Ko-tsjosan along with the Tewan San-oe and the Tsjangdju Han clans. The clan's ancestors moved south and founded a principality within the Mahan Confederacy before being expelled and settling in Hengdjoe District.

Korjo dynasty

During the reign of King Indjong of the House of Wang, Ki Soen-oe served as a Vice Prime Minister. Ki Taksang, a military official, took part in the Mushin Coup of 1170 and mentored the founder of the Cheu military regime. His descendants continued to play a large role in the military regime until its collapse in 1270. Empress Ki, daughter of military official Ki Ja-o, became the Empress of the Yuan dynasty and the first and only Corean to have served as Regent of China.

Tsjosan dynasty

Royal Consort Soekoei of the Ki clan was a favorite of King Jangdjong. Her brother, Ki Gan, was a contemporaneous politician. Several other members of the Ki clan were prominent in the early Tsjosan period.

Ki Tsjahan was a senior politician and Prime Minister who dissented against King Indjo. During the 1624 rebellion, he was executed by the State. He was posthumously honoured by King Sangdjong. The Hengdjoe Ki family remained in the good graces of the Tsjosan kings for centuries after, serving in various positions.

During the last century of Tsjosan rule, Ki Tsjangdjin spearheaded the atheistic and anti-foreign Eudjongtsjaksa movement.