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Foundation and Expansion of Baekje

Baekje was established in 18 B.C. by King Onjo, who moved from the capital of Goguryeo south to Wirye on the Hangang River.

Alongside Goguryeo and Silla, Baekje is one of the three ancient kingdoms that once shared the Korean Peninsula. Over the roughly 700 years from its founding in 18 B.C. to its demise in A.D. 660, the Baekje Kingdom was ruled over by 31 monarchs. It at first comprised only a small area near the Hangang River (present-day Seoul), but gradually absorbed nearby states to emerge as a full-blown kingdom. The capital was originally established in Wirye and defended by Wiryeseong Fortress, but was later transferred to Ungjin (present-day Gongju) and then eventually to Sabi (present-day Buyeo). Depending on the location of the capital, Baekje is divided into three periods: the Hanseong Period of 18 B.C to A.D. 475, ending when the site of modern Seoul was captured by Goguryeo; the Ungjin Period from 475 to 538, during which the capital was located in Gongju; and the Sabi Period of 538 to 660, with the capital in Buyeo. During the Ungjin and Sabi Periods, Baekje actively engaged in exchanges and diplomatic relations with overseas nation-states, promoting science and technology and stimulating a cultural flowering. However, the capital of Sabi fell in 660 to an attack from the combined forces of Silla and the Tang Dynasty of China. A revival movement survived over the following three years, but was unable to revive the declining kingdom. Along with its contemporary kingdoms of Goguryeo and Silla, Baekje played a critical role in the development of ancient culture on the Korean Peninsula. It was at the forefront of adopting advancements from abroad and refining them to even higher levels. The kingdom was also active in disseminating cultural artifacts to neighboring states, contributing to the overall cultural development of East Asia. Although extinguished, the Baekje Kingdom left the legacy of its splendid culture in the areas where it once thrived. Baekje Historic Areas, which housed the kingdom’s capital, still serves as a center of cultural creativity and ingenuity.

Dawning of Baekje

Foundation and Establishment of the Baekje Capital

Settlers from Buyeo, an ancient kingdom later absorbed by Goguryeo, moved south and integrated with the people living along the Hangang River to establish Baekje. A political confederacy known as Mahan had existed in the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, but Baekje gradually gained control over the tribal statelets belonging to Mahan and emerged as a kingdom.

Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), the oldest existing book on Korean history, documents that Baekje was founded in 18 B.C. by Onjo, the third son of the founder of Goguryeo founder, King Dongmyeong. It is said that Onjo and his older brother Biryu led a group of people south and erected Wiryeseong Fortress and a palace to declare a state. His brother’s followers were incorporated into Onjo’s retinue upon Biryu’s death. The state was named Baekje, meaning “All people are pleased to follow.”

Development of Baekje

During the reign of its 8th ruler, King Goi (r. 234-286), Baekje matured into a fully-fledged kingdom and continued to consolidate its neighboring states. King Goi was active in acquiring new territory: the monarch waged an attack on the periphery of the Chinese commandery of Nangnang in 246 and pitted himself against provinces and states both from and in China. To efficiently govern his enlarged territory, the king embarked on administrative systematization well ahead of other kingdoms. Government positions were categorized into 16 ranks, with each rank assigned a designated color for their garments. Six jwapyeong (the title for the first rank) were installed in 261 and yullyeong (rules and laws) were promulgated. For defensive purposes, a royal palace was also raised during his reign.

It was during the rule of the 13th monarch, King Geunchogo (r. 346-375), that Baekje reached its pinnacle. The king extended his control further to the south, annexing the remaining Mahan statelets in what is today’s Jeolla Province and incorporating parts of the rival kingdom of Gaya. Guarding against southward expansion by Goguryeo, King Geunchogo led a body of three thousand soldiers against Pyeongyang Fortress, killing Goguryeo’s King Gogukwon. Accordingly, this 13th ruler of Baekje gained control over vast territories, including the present-day provinces of Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and parts of Hwanghae-do. To effectively consolidate control over the expanded lands, he also reformed local administrative organizations.

King Geunchogo was also active in forging and developing diplomatic relations with neighboring states. The king entered into an official diplomatic relationship with Eastern Jin of China and repeatedly dispatched envoys to Silla bearing gifts of horses. With Japan, King Geunchogo sent scholars and experts including baksa to transfer academic and technological expertise. In Baekje, along with government positions, the title baksa was bestowed upon people excelling in a particular area of academia or technology.

For roughly 100 years starting in the late fourth century, Baekje was confronted with Goguryeo. King Gwangaeto of Goguryeo pushed ahead with southward expansion, and his successor King Jangsu relocated the kingdom’s capital to Pyeongyang, placing Baekje under direct threat. Meanwhile, in Baekje, the 21st ruler King Gaero (r. 455-475) was focused on concentrating power within the royal family and implementing large-scale construction as a means to garner absolute power. As for external relations, King Gaero attempted to forge a diplomatic relationship with Northern Wei of China as a check against Goguryeo, but his policies resulted instead in domestic fragmentation and attacks from Goguryeo. Baekje’s capital Hanseong fell in 475 to Goguryeo troops led by King Jangsu, and King Gaero was captured and killed. Besides the king, other royal family members were executed as well and eight thousand people were taken hostage.