Korean Politics (1) Gojoseon: the First Nation of Korea

Korean Politics
(1) Gojoseon: the First Nation of Korea (B.C 2333 ~ B.C 108)

Gojoseon, considered to be Korea’s oldest kingdom, was home to the Dongi tribe(ancient Korean), which can be translated as either ‘eastern bowmen’. They not only inhabited in the Korean peninsula, but also lived in Manchuria, and on the Shantung peninsula of China. Dangun, the first king of Gojoseon is said to have ruled from 2333 B.C, and long after, his descendants continued to maintain unity in Gojoseon.

The story of Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea, is well-known as Korea’s creation myth. Hwanwung, a half-man /half god, Dangun’s father came down from Heaven. In fact, he was presumed to be an ancient religious and political leader. He tested a bear tribe and a tiger tribe who wanted to be civilized. He ordered them to eat garlic and wormwood and meditate themselves in caves during 100 days. Soon the tiger tribe ran away but the Bear tribe accomplished the mission and the tribe could be the backbone of the civilized Gojoseon. Even then, the kingdom had a peaceful reputation, according to China's great sages, Confucius and Mencius, who praised the unitary order and the decorum of Gojoseon society.

Gojoseon was the first Kingdom of Bronze Age. Gojoseon flourished, creating its own unique culture. Militarily, it grew strong enough to clash with Yan Dynasty, a local kingdom in northern China, on the border between the two countries. However Gojoseon was collapsed by China’s second unified empire, Han Dynasty (B.C 108).