Later Baekje Founding

Overview

Later Baekje was a state founded by Gyeon Hwon. In 892, Gyeon Hwon became independent in Muljinju (the area of present-day Gwangju), and in 900 (the 4th year of King Hyogong) he moved the capital to Wansanju (present-day Jeonju), adopted a state name, and established a full-fledged state system. Together with Silla and Gungye's Later Goguryeo (Taebong), it formed the Later Three Kingdoms. It was defeated at the Illiancheon Battle in 936 and fell after 2 rulers and 45 years.

Background

In the late Silla period, the struggles for the throne among the true-bone aristocracy caused the collapse of central control over the provinces. Under Queen Jinseong, as famine continued and tax collection grew harsh, uprisings broke out across the country, beginning with the Wonjong and Aenou Rebellion in 889.

There are theories that Gyeon Hwon was the son of A-jagae from Gaeun-hyeon of Sangju (present-day Mungyeong) and that he was from Bukchon in Gwangju. He became a soldier of Silla and served as a garrison soldier in the southwestern coastal defense forces, rising to the rank of battalion commander. When the state fell into disorder, he gathered followers and attacked the prefectures and counties to the southwest of the Silla royal capital. Within a month, the number of followers who answered his call reached 5,000, whereupon he occupied Muljinju and declared himself king. However, he did not yet openly call himself king, and used a lengthy title as a Silla local official: "Commander-in-chief of the Silla Western Command, Governor-General of Military Affairs in charge of the Ji-jeol Credentials, Governor of Gangju, Jeonmu-gongdeung-juguns, Acting Governor of Jeonju, concurrently Eosa Jeungseung, Sangguk, Duke of Hannam-gun, with a fief of 2,000 households."

Relocation to Wansanju and Founding

During the Muljinju period, his power base centered on the southwestern coastal garrison forces and rebel followers, and his rear was vulnerable, as local powers in the Naju area defected. Gyeon Hwon moved north inland and made Wansanju his new center in 900. According to the Gyeon Hwon biography in the Samguk sagi, he was welcomed by the people of Wansanju and declared, "Since Baekje founded its state more than 600 years ago, Emperor Gaozong of Tang sent troops at the request of Silla and destroyed Baekje; now I will establish the capital and wash away the long-standing resentment of King Uija." He then took the title of king of Later Baekje and established offices. Under the pretext of reviving Baekje, he drew in former Baekje-descended residents.

After the Founding

After relocating to Wansanju, Later Baekje expanded its territory and contended for hegemony among the Later Three Kingdoms.