Yi Ui-bang

Yi Ui-bang (이의방, died December 1174) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period.

Life

Background

Yi originated from the Jeonju Yi clan (전주이씨; 全州李氏). He subsequently joined the military and rose in ranks, becoming a minister in the scholar dominated government.

Rebellion

In August 1170 (Uijong 24th year), he joined the Goryeo warrior rebellion, which occurred in defiance against the typically scholar/minister ruled Korea. Primary leaders of this rebellion was Jeong Jung-bu and Yi Go who found that warrior-class treatment was truly unfair and planned a coup e tat to establish a warrior government.

The King of Goryeo, Uijong was soon disposed and the new warrior-class ministers set up a puppet king Myeongjong. Yi was named as one of the key figures in the new regime with the title of High Merit Minister (壁上功臣) and given special privileges along with the other ministers. When Yi Go tried to plot a coup and get hold of a dictatorship in 1171, Yi, under the orders of Chung Jung-bu purged and murdered Yi Go.