Mun of Balhae

Mun of Balhae (715–793; r. 737–793), also known as Dae Heum-mu, was the third and longest-reigning ruler of the Balhae. He succeeded his father King Mu, upon his death in 737. He was the grandson of Dae Jo-yeong, the founder of Balhae.

Reign
During King Mun's reign, diplomatic ties with the Tang dynasty were established, and many Balhae scholars went to the Tang to study, extending the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism in Balhae's governance. He also strengthened relations with Silla, which unified the Korean peninsula to the south of Balhae, overseeing the development of the trade route called Silla-road. Balhae also increased diplomacy and trade with Japan.

King Mun moved the capital of Balhae several times (Sanggyeong and Donggyeong), stabilizing and strengthening central rule over various ethnic tribes in his realm, which was expanded temporarily. He also authorized the creation of the Jujagam, the national academy, based on the national academy of Tang.

Although the Tang dynasty recognized him as a king, Balhae itself referred to him as the Daeheung Boryeok Hyogam Geumryun Seongbeop Daewang (, 大興寶曆孝感金輪聖法大王), Gadokbu, Seongwang and Giha , Balhae itself referred to him as the posterity of heaven and an emperor.

The tomb of his fourth daughter, Princess Jeonghyo, was discovered in 1980. The tombstone of his elder daughter, Princess Jeonghye, has also been found.

Era names

 * Daeheung (대흥 大興 Great Happiness, 737-774, ?-793)
 * Boryeok (보력 寶曆, 774-?, at least until 781)

Family

 * Father: Dae Mu-ye, King Mu (무왕 대무예, 武王 大武藝; 685–737)
 * Grandfather: Dae Jo-yeong, King Go (고왕 대조영, 高王 大祚榮; 665–719)
 * Grandmother: Lady Im (임씨, 任氏; 656–719)
 * Younger brother: Dae Won-ui (대원의; 735–793)
 * Wife: Empress Hyoui (효의황후, 孝懿皇后; 715–?)
 * First daughter (732); died prematurely
 * Princess Jeonghye (정혜공주, 貞惠公主; 737–777), second daughter
 * Dae Goeng-rim (대굉림, 大宏臨; 745–780) – father of Dae Hwayeo, King Seong (성왕 대화여, 成王 大華璵), first son
 * Princess Jeongyeon (정연공주; 747–?), third daughter
 * Dae Jeong-al (대정알, 大貞斡; 747–?), second son
 * Dae Cheong-yun (대청윤, 大淸允; 748–?), third son
 * Dae Sung-rin, King Gang (강왕 대숭린, 康王 大嵩璘; 750–809), fourth son
 * Princess Jeonghyo (정효공주, 貞孝公主; 757–792), fourth daughter