Gojoseon, Korea's First Ancient State: Territory, Dangun Joseon, Wiman Joseon, and the Eight Prohibitions

Gojoseon was the first state in Korean history and an ancient kingdom that developed on the foundation of Bronze Age culture. Going beyond a simple tribal society, it established a state system with a king, government officials, and a legal code. Through both conflict and interaction with China, Gojoseon grew into an important power in Northeast Asia.

To understand Gojoseon, it is necessary to examine its territorial extent and major archaeological artifacts, as well as distinguish between Dangun Joseon and Wiman Joseon, which differed significantly after Wiman seized power. In addition, the Eight Prohibitions of Gojoseon are considered an important historical source because they provide valuable insights into the legal system, social order, economic development, and class structure of the time.


1. Four Representative Artifacts That Reveal the Territorial Extent of Gojoseon

① Liaoning-Type Bronze Dagger (Bipa-shaped Bronze Dagger)

This bronze dagger, named for its resemblance to the traditional string instrument known as the pipa, is one of the most representative artifacts of Gojoseon. It demonstrates the kingdom's distinctive Bronze Age culture and serves as important evidence of its independent cultural development.

Liaoning-Type Bronze Dagger (Bipa-shaped Bronze Dagger)



② Table-Type Dolmen (Northern-Style Dolmen)

A table-type dolmen is a tomb structure in which a massive capstone is placed on top of several supporting stones. It provides evidence of the emergence of powerful tribal leaders and the development of social stratification in Gojoseon society.

Table-Type Dolmen (Northern-Style Dolmen)



③ Misong-ri Pottery

Named after the archaeological site in Misong-ri, Uiju, North Pyongan Province, where it was first discovered, this type of pottery is characterized by its long-necked jar shape with handles attached to both sides.

Misong-ri Pottery



④ Coarse-Patterned Bronze Mirror

This bronze mirror, decorated with rough geometric patterns engraved on its surface, is believed to have been used in religious ceremonies by priests. It is considered one of the most important artifacts demonstrating that Gojoseon was a theocratic society in which political and religious authority were closely intertwined.

Coarse-Patterned Bronze Mirror



The regions where these four artifacts are found together are considered to represent the territorial extent of Gojoseon.

In general, the cultural sphere of Gojoseon is believed to have extended from the Liaoning region of present-day China to the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.



2. Dangun Joseon vs. Wiman Joseon: A Complete Comparison

The history of Gojoseon is commonly divided into two periods, with Wiman's rise to power in the early 2nd century BCE serving as the dividing point.


① Dangun Joseon (Before Wiman)

This period refers to the era before Wiman's arrival, when Gojoseon was independently developing its own political system and state structure.

# Political System

Gojoseon was a theocratic society in which religious and political authority were closely integrated.

Dangun = Religious leader (priest)

Wanggeom = Political leader (king)



# Royal Authority and Government Offices

By the 3rd century BCE, powerful rulers such as King Bu and King Jun had emerged, and the hereditary succession of the throne had become firmly established.

Beneath the king, government offices such as Sang (Minister), Daebu (Senior Official), and Janggun (General) were established, further strengthening the state's administrative system.


# Foreign Relations

Gojoseon was powerful enough to stand on equal footing with the State of Yan during China's Warring States period.

However, around 300 BCE, the Yan general Qin Kai (秦開) invaded Gojoseon and seized approximately 2,000 li of its territory.

Afterward, Yan established the Liaoxi Commandery and the Liaodong Commandery and designated Manbeonhan (滿番汗) as the border between the two states.

Possessing a clear advantage in iron weaponry, the Yan army defeated the forces of Gojoseon. As a result, Gojoseon lost much of its western territory, and its national power declined significantly.



② Wiman Joseon (After 194 BCE)

Wiman Joseon refers to the period of Gojoseon that began after Wiman (衛滿), a refugee from the former State of Yan, overthrew King Jun during the political turmoil that accompanied the transition from the Qin to the Han dynasty in China.

Wiman, who had fled the chaos on the Chinese mainland, entered Gojoseon with a group of more than 1,000 followers.

King Jun accepted Wiman and assigned him the task of defending the kingdom's western frontier.

However, Wiman gradually expanded his influence and eventually led a rebellion against King Jun. After overthrowing him, Wiman seized the throne and became the ruler of Gojoseon.

The period that followed is known as Wiman Joseon.



Wiman did not attempt to transform Gojoseon into a Chinese state. Instead, he adopted many of Gojoseon's existing customs and institutions and continued to develop the kingdom while maintaining its independence from the Han dynasty.


# The Expansion of Iron Culture

After Wiman came to power, iron culture spread more rapidly throughout Gojoseon. Advances in agricultural tools and weapon production strengthened the kingdom's economy and military.

With these improvements, Gojoseon expanded its influence by conquering neighboring states.


# The Development of Intermediary Trade

Wiman Joseon gained enormous wealth by monopolizing intermediary trade between the Han dynasty and Jin (辰國) in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.


# The Fall of Wiman Joseon

In 109 BCE, Emperor Wu of Han launched a large-scale invasion to curb Gojoseon's growing control over intermediary trade.

However, trade was not the only reason for the attack. Gojoseon had also shown signs of cooperating with the Xiongnu, a powerful nomadic confederation in the north, in opposition to the Han dynasty.

According to historical records such as the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), the Han court viewed Wiman Joseon as the "left arm of the Xiongnu" and sought to eliminate it.

Although Gojoseon resisted fiercely for nearly a year, internal divisions among the ruling elite eventually weakened the kingdom.

In 108 BCE, Wanggeom Fortress fell to the Han army, marking the end of Gojoseon.



3. What the Eight Prohibitions Reveal About Gojoseon Society

The Eight Prohibitions of Gojoseon, recorded in the Geographical Treatise of the Book of Han (Hanshu), originally consisted of eight legal provisions. However, only three articles have survived to the present day.

Despite their limited number, these surviving laws provide valuable insights into the social structure and values of Gojoseon.


① Anyone who kills another person shall be immediately sentenced to death.

- Human life was regarded as extremely valuable.

- The legal system imposed severe punishments.

- Social significance: In an agricultural society, labor was the most important productive resource. As a result, homicide was considered a serious crime and was punished very harshly.



② Anyone who injures another person must provide compensation in the form of grain.

- An agricultural society

- Compensation paid with grain

- Social significance: This law demonstrates that grain served not only as an essential agricultural product but also as an important form of economic value and a medium of exchange. It also suggests that Gojoseon placed great importance on protecting both the physical well-being and the labor capacity of its people.



③ Anyone who commits theft shall be enslaved, but may avoid punishment by paying 500,000 coins.

- Recognition of private property

- A class-based social system

- The use of currency

- Social significance: This law demonstrates that private property was strongly protected in Gojoseon society. The reference to a monetary payment of 500,000 coins also suggests that a monetary economy had developed to a certain extent. In addition, the punishment of enslavement indicates the existence of a hierarchical social structure with clearly defined social classes.



4. Changes After the Establishment of the Four Commanderies of Han

After Gojoseon fell to the Han dynasty in 108 BCE, the Four Commanderies of Han were established.

According to the Book of Han (Hanshu), Gojoseon originally had the Eight Prohibitions, but after Han rule was imposed, the number of legal provisions increased to approximately 60 articles, and the customs of the people gradually became harsher.

This record suggests that social control became much stricter under Han administration.

Resistance to foreign rule continued to grow among local populations, leading to efforts to expel the Han commanderies. In the long run, this resistance became one of the important factors that contributed to the rise of several indigenous states that later emerged on the Korean Peninsula and in the surrounding region.




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