Person

Taejo of Joseon

1335–1408 · 14th century · Also known as Yi Seong-gye

Taejo of Joseon, born Yi Seong-gye, was a Goryeo general who won fame fighting Japanese pirates and Red Turban invaders. Ordered to attack Ming China in 1388, he turned his army back at Wihwa Island and took control of the government. In 1392 he deposed the last Goryeo king and founded the Joseon dynasty, moving the capital to Hanyang (Seoul).

Taejo of Joseon
Image: Jo Jung-muk(?-?), Pak Gijun(?-?), Baek Eunbae(1820-?), Yu Suk(1827-1873) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 2 profiles

GoryeoDecline, SummaryJoseonFoundation, Summary

Mentioned in 2 state histories

GoryeoJoseon

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Taejo of Joseon. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/taejo-of-joseon
MLA
“Taejo of Joseon.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/taejo-of-joseon. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Taejo of Joseon.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/taejo-of-joseon.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Taejo of Joseon’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/taejo-of-joseon (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻