Later Goguryeo Founding

Overview

Later Goguryeo was a state founded by Gung Ye, who declared himself king at Songak (present-day Kaesong) in 901 (5th year of King Hyogong). The "Wangnyeok" section of the Samguk yusa records that Gung Ye named the state "Goryeo" at this time, but because it claimed to succeed Goguryeo, historians commonly call it Later Goguryeo. In 904 the name was changed to Majin (摩震), and in 911 to Taebong (泰封). The state collapsed in the June 918 coup led by Wang Geon.

Background

Origins of Gung Ye

The biography of Gung Ye in the Samguk sagi gives him as a son of King Hunan or King Gyeongmun of Silla. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture presumes that he was a royal who fell victim to power struggles within the Silla royal house. It is said that he was abandoned as a child and hid as a monk at Sedalsa Temple.

Formation of Power

• In 891 (5th year of Queen Jinseong), he entrusted himself to Gi Hwon, a regional lord of Jukju (present-day Juksan, Anseong), but was not treated well.
• In 892 he, together with Won Hoe and Sin Hwon, subordinates of Gi Hwon, took refuge with Yanggil, a regional lord of Bukwon (present-day Wonju). He became Yanggil's chief lieutenant and received the surrender of the area within Myeongju and more than ten neighboring counties.
• In 894 he advanced into Myeongju (Gangneung), was acclaimed as general, and became independent. He then moved north into northern Gangwon Province, captured more than ten counties, and in 895 established his capital at Cheorwon and set up offices.
• In 896 Wang Ryung (Yonggeon) of Songak, a great regional lord, and his son Wang Geon submitted to him, and he came to control the areas of Paeseo and Hansan-ju. In 898 (2nd year of King Hyogong) he moved the capital to Songak.
• In 899 (3rd year of King Hyogong in the Samguk sagi) he repelled an attack by Yanggil at Binoe Fortress, and by around 900, through Wang Geon's efforts, he had built a large power spanning the regions of Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Hwanghae, and Chungcheong.

Founding

In 901 Gung Ye declared himself king, openly proclaiming hostility toward Silla and succession to Goguryeo. According to the Samguk sagi, he said, "In the past Silla requested troops from Tang and defeated Goguryeo, so the old capital of Pyongyang has become desolate and overgrown with grass; I will certainly avenge this enmity." A anecdote also records that around this time, after stopping at Buseok Temple, he struck with a sword a portrait of a Silla king painted on the wall. The adoption of Goguryeo succession is understood as an intention to draw support from the regional lords of the former Goguryeo territories of Paeseo and Hansan-ju, especially forces such as the household of Wang Geon at Songak.