Queen Sinmok Explained

Queen Sinmok of the Gyeongju Kim clan (신목왕후 김씨; 655 – 1 June 700), was the queen regent of Silla between 692 and 700.^{[1] [2]}

She was the second wife of king Sinmun of Silla and the mother of king Hyoso of Silla. She ruled as regent during the minority of her son between 692 and 700.^[2]

She was called Mother King (母王) by Japan.^[3] The expression literally shows that she was the ‘King as a mother’, which is a fine proof of showing that she was the actual ruler of Silla after the death of her husband.^[2]

Family

• Father - Kim Heum-woon (; 623 – 655); first husband of Princess Yoseok
  • Grandfather - Kim Dal-bok (김달복, 達福公; 604–?)
  • Grandmother - Kim Jeong-hui (김정희, 金政熙; 610–?) of the Gimhae Kim clan
• Mother - Princess Yoseok of the Gyeongju Kim clan (; 630–?)
  • Grandfather - King Muyeol of Silla (; 603 – 661)
  • Grandmother - Kim Bo-hui, Lady Yeongchang of the Gimhae Kim clan (603–?)
• Stepfather - Wonhyo (; 617 – 686)
• Siblings
  • Older half-brother - Seol Chung (; 647 – 736)
• Husband - Kim Jeong-myeong, King Sinmun of Silla (; 642 – 692)
• Issue
  • Son - Kim Yi-hong, King Hyoso of Silla (; 687 – 702); was the 32nd monarch of Silla
  • Son - Kim Yong-gi, King Seongdeok of Silla (; 691 – 737); was the 33rd King of Silla
    • Daughter-in-law - Queen Seongjeong of the Gyeongju Kim clan (; 691–?)
    • Daughter-in-law - Queen Sodeok of the Gyeongju Kim clan (; 700–724)
      • Grandson - Kim Seung-gyeong, King Hyoseong of Silla (; 718 – 742)
      • Grandson - Kim Heon-yeong, King Gyeongdeok of Silla (; 723 – 765)
      • Granddaughter - Lady Kim (724–?)
  • Son - Kim Geun-jil (; 693–?)
  • Son - Kim Sa–jong (; 695–?)

References

1. Overlooked Historical Records of the Three Korean Kingdoms, Iryon, Iryŏn · 2006
2. Kim . Tae-sik . 2011 . Queen Dowager Sinmok of Silla as the Mother King . Sillasahakpo . ko . 22 . 61–98 . 1738-2742.
3. Book: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture 신목왕후 神穆王后. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.