Gojoseon is recognized as the first kingdom in Korean history, deeply rooted in Bronze Age society and mythology. From the legendary tale of Dangun to the emergence of Buyeo and Samhan, the early history of the Korean Peninsula unfolds as a story of cultural development, conflict, and resilience.
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1. Gojoseon and the Dangun Myth
According to legend, Gojoseon was founded by Dangun Wanggeom, a semi-divine figure born of a heavenly father and a bear-turned-woman mother. This myth reflects the agricultural society and religious worldview of Bronze Age Korea. Dangun was seen not only as a king but also as a military and spiritual leader. Historically, Gojoseon emerged as a Bronze Age state around the 10th century BCE, with artifacts such as bipolar bronze daggers, dolmens, and Misong-ri style pottery marking its material culture. The kingdom expanded its influence from the Liaodong Peninsula to the northwestern Korean Peninsula.
2. Political System and Governance
According to legend, Gojoseon was founded by Dangun Wanggeom, a semi-divine figure born of a heavenly father and a bear-turned-woman mother. This myth reflects the agricultural society and religious worldview of Bronze Age Korea. Dangun was seen not only as a king but also as a military and spiritual leader.Historically, Gojoseon emerged as a Bronze Age state around the 10th century BCE, with artifacts such as bipolar bronze daggers, dolmens, and Misong-ri style pottery marking its material culture. The kingdom expanded its influence from the Liaodong Peninsula to the northwestern Korean Peninsula.
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3. Political System and Governance
By the 4th century BCE, Gojoseon had established a structured ruling system centered around the king. Government officials included positions like Dr., Godfather, Sang, Gyeong, Dae-shin, and General. The legal system, including eight prohibitions, addressed issues like private property, punishment, and slavery—demonstrating a society with clear hierarchies and law enforcement.
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4. External Threats and the Fall of Gojoseon
In the 3rd century BCE, Wiman, a refugee from China’s Han dynasty, was welcomed by King Jun of Gojoseon and entrusted with guarding the western border. However, Wiman betrayed King Jun and usurped the throne, founding the Wiman Joseon dynasty. Wiman expanded Gojoseon’s trade and military power, particularly through iron technology brought by Chinese immigrants.Eventually, Gojoseon clashed with the rising Han dynasty. After years of tension and siege, the capital Wanggeomseong fell in 108 BCE, marking the end of Gojoseon.
5. The Four Han Commanderies
After Gojoseon's fall, the Han Empire established four commanderies—Nakrang (Lelang), Jinbeon, Imdu, and Hyundo—to govern the region. The commanderies were ruled by Chinese officials such as Taesu and Spirits, and the local population was incorporated into the Han administrative structure. Over time, resistance to Han rule grew, culminating in the decline of Nakrang and the rise of Goguryeo, which absorbed the territory by 313 CE.
5. The Rise and Fall of Buyeo
Buyeo emerged as a powerful kingdom in the Songhua River basin (modern-day Jilin, China). Known for its advanced Bronze Age culture (often called the Seodansan Mountain culture), Buyeo thrived through agriculture, livestock, and trade. Governance was based on a coalition of aristocratic clans led by a king, with elite domains known as Maga or low-priced districts. Chinese records praise Buyeo for its civility and diplomatic relations with Chinese dynasties. However, Buyeo suffered from repeated invasions—most notably by the Xianbei in 285 and later by other nomadic tribes. By the mid-4th century, Buyeo had collapsed. Some survivors relocated to the Tumen River basin, where they eventually submitted to King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo in 410 CE.
5. Han and the Emergence of Samhan
South of Gojoseon, Han (not to be confused with the Han dynasty) is less well documented but is thought to be a transitional polity. According to records, King Jun of Gojoseon, after being overthrown by Wiman, fled south and became ruler of a local kingdom.By the 3rd century CE, Samhan (Three Han Confederacies) emerged—Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan. These federations of small states marked the Iron Age transition of the Korean Peninsula. With the introduction of iron tools, productivity and agricultural efficiency improved. Samhan maintained relations with Nakrang-gun and Daebang-gun, and each confederacy later evolved into a major kingdom: Mahan → absorbed into Baekje Jinhan → evolved into Silla Byeonhan → developed into Gaya Federation
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