Gwangjong of Goryeo

Gwangjong (949-975) was a king (later emperor) of the Goryeo kingdom which ruled Korea from the fall of Silla in 935 until the founding of Joseon in 1392.

In order to strengthen the power of the central government, Gwangjong, the 4th King in the lineage and of the kingdom, made a series of laws including that of freeing slaves in 958, and one creating the exam for hiring civil officials. Gwangjong also proclaimed himself Emperor, independent from any other countries. He was also known in his reign (at least according to Ch'oe Sŭngno, a historian of the time) for being too obsessed with Buddhist activities, rituals, and public projects thus driving the kingdom into debt.