Kung Ye (Korean: 궁예; Hanja: 弓裔; c. 869 – 24 July 918) was the king of the short-lived state of Taebong (901–918), one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea.

[1][2] He became a rebel leader against the unpopular Silla government, which almost abandoned the affairs of their subjects for the struggle for power among royal family members.

[3] The exact date of Kung Ye's birth is unknown, but records assume that he was a son of King Gyeongmun;[4] his mother is said to be a beloved lady of the court.

[5] The corrupt government continuously exploited the peasants and tenants, and after a year of famine, massively raised taxes in 889 which led to many revolts and rebellions.

[2][3][6] Local aristocrats, called hojok (호족; 豪族) emerged as de facto rulers of many provinces and regions, with the attention of government concentrated on suppression of rebellion and their own power struggles.

Most of the local aristocrats of Myeongju and Paeseo, including Wang Kŏn, submitted to his force, making him even more powerful than his master Yang Kil.

[18] However, even after the founding of Goryeo, many people rejected the rule of Wang Kŏn and rebelled against the newly formed dynasty; some even voluntarily defected to Kyŏn Hwŏn's Later Baekje.

It can be assumed that many people, even after the coup that crowned Wang Kŏn, favored the rule of Kung Ye and that he was not a total despot as described in history.