 The area around Kilju was part of the ancient Goguryeo kingdom and was long inhabited by various Jurchen tribes.In 1107 it was annexed by Goryeo, who gave it its current name (meaning "province of good fortune").After the ascension of Joseon Dynasty, Kilju was promoted to county in 1398, and in 1509 the county was included in the newly formed Hamgyong Province In 1895, during a reorganization of regional governments, Hamgyong was dissolved and replaced with several small departments; Kilju county was then annexed to the newly formed Kyongsong Department.