Koguryo (GoGuRyeo), Sovereign State

  Source: Ri Thaek Gwon, associate professor and MSc at the history department of Kim IL Sung University, North Korea

Remark: Koguryo (GoGuRyeo), King Kwanggaetho (GwangGaeTo DaeWang or GwangGaeTo the Great), Silla (Shilla), The Sage King Tongmyong (DongMyeong SeongWang), Weishu (WiSeo), Suishu (SuSeo), King Kogugwon ( GoGukWonWang), Beiwei (BukWi or northern Wi), Jiutangshu (GuDangSeo)

  Koguryo that the Korean nation set up demonstrated its might as a sovereign state in the East for nearly 1,000 years between 277 BC and AD 668. It is evidenced by the fact that Koguryo instituted its own reign style and used it. Generally, reign style could be adopted by emperor in the medieval East. It was customary for vassal states to introduce reign styles of empire. Therefore, the presence of reign style showed the status of the ruler of a country and furthermore whether it was independent or not.

  That Koguryo designated its own reign style and used it can be seen in the epitaph of the Tomb of King Kwanggaetho. According to the epitaph, the king’s reign style was Yongrak and his title was  Yongrak the Great. Ink inscription at the mural tomb in Tokhung-ri bears the letters: “Musin (Year of the Ape)? 18th year of Yongrak".

  It tells that the reign style was used not only in the royal palace but in all fields in the society between the late 4th century and the early 5th century in Koguryo. The monument to the boundary from the Koguryo period discovered in Ryongjon-ri of Kagum Sub-county in Jungwon County, North Chungchong Province, carries the inscription “40th year of Konhung, Koryo xxx”. Here, Konhung was a reign style of Koguryo.

  Other well-known reign styles include Yonsu engraved in a silver bowl unearthed at the Sobong tomb from the Silla period, Yonggang inscribed in the background painting of a Buddhist image discovered in Phyongchon District, Pyongyang and Yonga at the background painting of a Buddhist statue from the Koguryo period found in Uiryong County, South Kyongsang Province.

  These tell that Koguryo was a sovereign state in the status of an empire. Koguryo’s high prestige also found its expression in the titles of successive kings of Koguryo. Koguryo kings claimed to be the sons of Heaven or emperors and therefore Koguryo was a sovereign state ruled by the son of Heaven or emperor.

  The Sage King Tongmyong, founder of Koguryo, was called son of Heaven. It means that his status was regarded as such. Besides, Koguryo kings were called sage king, emperor, king the Great and great emperor.

  King Kwanggaetho was titled king the Great at the epitaph of his tomb. Such titles include sage king the Great as is seen in the tomb in Moduru; king the Great inscribed in a bowl discovered in the tomb in Hou in Kyongju; great emperor inscribed in a brick in the emperor’s tomb; Koryo king the Great seen in the monument to the boundary. Songsangbon written in a flag in the mural painting in the Tomb of King Kogugwon in Oguk-ri, Anak County , South Hwanghae Province , signified the procession of emperor.

  Chinese history books Weishu (WiSeo: 魏書, historical writings on Wi or Weidynasty) and Suishu (SuSeo: 隋書, historical writings on Su or Sui dynasty writtenin A.D 636) wrote King Kogugwon of Koguryo as Zhaoliedi, which tells that even Chinese historians called Koguryo kings emperors. That Koguryo was a sovereign state was evidenced by the fact that it maintained an independent stance inits relations with the neighboring countries.

  It handled all the issues arising in relations with the neighboring countriesindependently and in the interests of its own throughout the period of its existence.It was always a prime mover in relations with Chin (秦, Jin in Korean), Han (漢) and their successors.

  Beiwei (Northern Wei in Chinese history: 北魏, BukWi or northern Wi - A.D 386 ~534) that bordered on Koguryo looked up to it, over-awed by its high international prestige. At the news that King Jangsu of Koguryo died, the emperor of Beiwei (Remark: 魏書 - 高祖 紀第七下: 帝爲高麗王璉 擧哀於城東行宮, the emperornamed “HyoMun” who actually had built Shaolin temple for the Indian Buddhist monk. See the article “The Mystery of Shaolin Temple in China on this site) saw to it that a place for mourning was built in the eastern suburb of the capital and performed the funeral service in mourning dress and hat specially made for the occasion. He also sent a special envoy to Koguryo to express his condolences. He gave specially hospitable reception to the Koguryo envoy among many foreign envoys and ensured that the Koguryo guest’s lodging was arranged separately.

  The King of Tang Dynasty was overawed by the power and prestige of Koguryo, admitted the status of its king as emperor and tried to keep on good terms with the country. The Koguryo part of Jiutangshu (GuDangSeo: 舊唐書, historical writings on old Dang or Tang dynasty written in A.D 940 and completed in A.D 945) wrote that Gaozu of Tang hoped that his country and Koguryo avoid war and promote amity, saying: “Is there any need to force foreign country to become our vassal and respect us?” It shows that Koguryo rejected submission in foreign relations. This is evidenced by many wars it staged against foreign invaders.

  The historical facts prove that Koguryo was neither a government of ethnic minority of a great power nor a local government or a subject state but a powerful sovereign state that existed nearly 1,000 years in the East. The powerful state of the Korean nation willalways remain part of the Korean history.