Editing Sambyeolcho Rebellion (section)

==Background==
From 1231, Goryeo was intermittently invaded by the [[Mongol Empire]]. During this time, Goryeo was controlled by [[Goryeo military regime|a military regime]] led by the Ch'oe family. In 1232 the government under the nominal king fled to [[Ganghwa Island]], which Mongol horse riders were unable to land on, and resisted the Mongol invasion. Because of its fragile foundation, Goryeo faced frequent rebellions. The 1258 rebellion resulted in the establishment of [[Ssangseong]] and [[Dongnyeong Prefectures]] by the Mongols.

Unlike these rebels, the [[Sambyeolcho]] (Three Extraordinary Watches) were an organ of the military government. They were organized by the Ch'oe family to maintain security. However, unlike the Ch'oe private guards unit (which personally protected the family), the Sambyeolcho assumed public functions performed by police and combat forces, effectively replacing the Six Divisions of the military.

In 1258, [[Ch'oe Ŭi]], the fourth dictator of the Ch'oe family, was overthrown by [[Kim Chun]] (also known as Kim In-jun) using the Sambyeolcho. Kim Chun took a pro-Mongol policy and sent Crown Prince [[Wonjong of Goryeo|Wang Chŏng]] to the Mongol Empire. At the same time, King Gojong and the crown prince approached the Mongols to restore power from Kim Chun. 

In 1268, however, Kim Chun was annihilated by the Sambyeolcho under the order of [[Im Yŏn]]. The next year, Im Yŏn's attempt to replace King Wonjong was reversed by the crown prince ([[Chungnyeol of Goryeo|Chungnyeol]]) with the help from the Mongol force. In 1270, Im Yŏn's successor [[Im Yu-mu]] was killed by the pro-Mongol faction using the Sambyeolcho. It marked the end of the military regime.