Trends in Koguryŏ's Relationship with Paekche and Silla During the 4Th-7Th Centuries*
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
International Journal of Korean History(Vol.8, Aug. 2006) 85 Trends in Koguryŏ's Relationship with Paekche and Silla during the 4th-7th Centuries* Jung Woon Yong(Chŏng Unyong)** Introduction According to the Samguk sagi(三國史記, History of Three Kingdoms) and Samguk yusa(三國遺事, Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), Koguryŏ was founded by Chu Mong in 37 BC.1 Koguryŏ was originally founded in the Hwanin(Huanren) area of China. The capital was established in the basin of a river called the Cholbonch΄ŏn or Piryusu. Despite the fact that he never even constructed a royal palace, Chu Mong, who had escaped from Puyŏ and resettled in the Cholbon area, was elevated to the status of founder of Koguryŏ and received the title of King Tongmyŏngsŏng(Tongmyŏngsŏng wang; r. 37 BC~19 BC). According to the Samguk saki, Koguryŏ was able to expand its territory during the reigns of the Tongmyŏngsŏng wang and King Yurimyŏng(r. BC 19~AD 18) by subjugating smaller neighboring polities such as the Malgal(Mohe; 靺鞨), Piryu(沸流國), Haengin(荇人國), and North Okchŏ(北沃沮). Koguryŏ set out to find a new capital which would possess the economic(fertile land and an abundance of natural resources) and military(impregnable geography) attributes usually associated with a capital area during the Three Kingdoms era 2 ; a process which was * This study was supported by a generous international cooperation research grant provided by the Education and Research Group for Korean Studies of Korea University as part of its 2002 BK 21 Project. ** Associate Professor, Dept. of Archaeology and Art History, Korea University 86 Trends in Koguryŏ's Relationship with Paekche and Silla during the~ completed with the relocation to Kungnaesŏng(presently in the Jian area of China) during the reign of King Yurimyŏng. In AD 13, Koguryŏ used an ambush strategy to repel a large-scale attack by Puyŏ at Hakbannyŏng.3 This success not only showcased Koguryŏ’s ability to respond to the pressure being applied by one of the strongest powers at that time in Puyŏ, but also helped cement the foundation of its power. This turn of events also paved the way for Koguryŏ’s conquest of the Yangmaek(梁貊國) the following year. Koguryŏ subsequently set out to conquer neighboring polities such as Kaema, Kuda, and Nangrang (Lolang) during the reign of King Taemusin(r.18~44 AD) The foundation of Koguryŏ by Chu Mong and his supporters, who had acquired the ability to produce iron weapons and war strategies from a Puyŏ that was itself based on an iron culture, made it possible for the new state to, from the outset, consistently secure new sources of tribute for itself as it expanded its territory using its military might against neighboring polities. Koguryŏ’s acts of aggression against its neighbors were carried out as part of a strategy of military expansionism designed to overcome a poor natural environment and weak economic basis, thus guaranteeing the fledgling state’s lebensraum.4 During the early stages of its policy of military expansionism, Koguryŏ rearranged the areas it had conquered into political structures known as huguk(侯國 ), sokguk(屬國 ), sŏngŭp(城邑), and kunhyŏn(郡縣 ). While those areas that were designated as huguk and sokguk, which mainly served as sources from which tributes could be levied, were subjected solely to an indirect control method, the areas designated as sŏngŭp, and kunhyŏn, names given to those territories which Koguryŏ had incorporated into its own, fell under the direct control of the center. As such, the driving force behind Koguryŏ’s growth was military expansionism, a phenomenon that also became the main characteristic of its international relations as well. Historians have long been fascinated by the topic of Koguryŏ’s international relations.5 This particular study attempts to, based on the inherent characteristics of Koguryŏ’s international relations which were formed during the early stages of the kingdom, analyze Koguryŏ’s Jung Woon Yong(Chŏng Unyong) 87 relations with Paekche and Silla after the 4th century. The overarching reason why the 4th century is selected as the cutoff point in this paper revolves around the fact that the events surrounding relations between the three kingdoms only began to be recorded in the Samguk sagi from the second half of the 4th century onwards. Furthermore, Koguryŏ’s diplomatic and military responses to Paekche and Silla after the 4th century serve as important variables with which to gain a better understanding of Koguryŏ’s constant attempts to extend its influence to Liaoxi province. With Koguryŏ serving as the main focus, this study will analyze the periodic changes in the three kingdoms’ relations, as well as the causes of these changes. The development of a better understanding of the periodic trends and changes in the three kingdoms’ relations over time is expected to provide some much needed insight into how Koguryŏ’s military expansion policy came to be extended to the northern and western areas. Conflicts between Koguryŏ and Paekche during the latter half of the 4th century The period immediately following its foundation was one which saw Koguryŏ focus on the use of a diplomatic strategy towards neighboring polities and various Chinese kingdoms that alternated between amicable and hostile relations. As a result of this focus on its immediate neighbors, Koguryŏ only began to turn its attention to relations with kingdoms located in the southern part of the Korean peninsula such as Paekche, Silla, and Kaya at a relatively later date. Although there has been much debate about the interpretation of the relevant historical materials, the Samguk sagi makes it clear that Koguryŏ first began to have direct and indirect contacts with Paekche and Silla in the period immediately following the advent of the modern Christian era. For example the book tells us that 1,000 citizens of Paekche were forced to migrate towards Koguryŏ because of a famine that affected villages along the northeast region of the Han River,6 and that King Taemusin’s destruction of Nangrang 88 Trends in Koguryŏ's Relationship with Paekche and Silla during the~ resulted in 5,000 of its residents surrendering to Silla, which allowed these refugees to resettle in the six administrative districts(6-pu).7 Silla’s failure to effectively fend off King Tongch΄ŏn(r. 227-248) of Koguryŏ’s attack in 245, led to the former’s dispatch of an envoy to establish friendly ties with Koguryŏ in 248. As such, direct relations between Koguryŏ and Silla have their origins in Silla’s acceptance of Koguryŏ’s military superiority. In turn, the ongoing cycle of war and rapprochement between Paekche and Silla appeared to have finally been restored during the reigns of King Namul(r. 356-402) of Silla and King Kŭnch΄ogo(r. 346-375) of Paekche.8 However, these close ties were once again severed when the Commander of Doksan Fortress surrendered to Silla in 373 and the latter refused Paekche’s request9 that he be repatriated at once. The surrender of the Commander of Doksan Fortress to Silla was in all likelihood caused by his belief that he would be severely reprimanded by the rulers of Paekche for his defeat and subsequent forfeit of the fortress to Koguryŏ.10 Conversely, Silla’s response can be regarded as having constituted a deliberate attempt on its part to sever its friendly ties with Paekche while simultaneously improving relations with Koguryŏ. From that point on, Silla went to great lengths to maintain amicable relations with Koguryŏ. This assertion is supported by a historical document which states that with the help of Koguryŏ,11 Silla was able to dispatch an envoy in 381 to the Former Qin in China12 in order to establish diplomatic ties between the two states. Meanwhile, Koguryŏ and Paekche’s march towards war is also described in some detail in the Samguk sagi. This conflict has its origins in the formation of a new border between Paekche and Koguryŏ following the latter’s expansion of its influence to Hwanghae province at the beginning of the 4th century. The war between Koguryŏ and Paekche began with a preemptive strike launched by Koguryŏ. This sudden attack was in large part the result of Koguryŏ’s decision to change course and expand southwards; a decision which was in turn influenced by its inability to make headway in the Liaodong area as a result of the growing influence of the Former Yan in the area in the middle of 4th century.13 In 369, 20,000 troops under the Jung Woon Yong(Chŏng Unyong) 89 command of King Kogukwŏn(r. 331-371) of Koguryŏ began to lay siege to Paekche’s Ch΄yang Fortress. This attack was however pushed back by Paekche forces under the command of Prince Kŭn΄gusu, whose troops managed to kill 5,000 members of the invading force. To avenge this preemptive strike launched by Koguryŏ King Kŭnch΄ogo and Prince Kŭn΄gusu of Paekche launched their own attack on Koguryŏ’s the Pyŏngyang Fortress in 371. While managing to fend off the invaders, Koguryŏ suffered tremendous losses, which included the death of King Kogukwŏn himself.14 King Sosurim(r. 371-384), who ascended the throne after the demise of King Kogukwŏn, seized Paekche’s Sugok Fortress in 375. In turn, King Kŭnch΄ogo of Paekche organized a large military expedition that had as its goals punishing Koguryŏ and retaking the Sugok Fortress. However, a bad harvest forced him to abandon this plan.15 The following year saw King Sosurim of Koguryŏ launch another attack along the northern frontier of Paekche. Paekche initiated another attack on the Pyŏngyang Fortress in 377 which involved 30,000 soldiers; however, Koguryŏ was able to not only defend the Pyŏngyang Fortress, but to simultaneously launch attacks in Paekche-controlled areas.