Korea-China History Awareness

Goryeo-Koguryo Succession Controversy

    ▶ Goryeo did not succeed Koguryo.
    ▶ Chinese records prove that Goryeo succeeded Koguryo.

▼ Tomb of the General

To sever the ties between Koguryo and Korean histories, Chinese academia asserts that Koguryo (founded by Jumong) and Goryeo (founded by Taejo Wang Geon) are similar only in name and bear no successive relations to each other. In other words, Koguryo was established by the ancestors of modern-day China, and Goryeo was established by the ancestors of modern-day Korea, the descendants of Silla. In addition, Chinese scholars contend that the records indicating Goryeo's succession of Koguryo are errors by the compilers of the History of Song states stemming from misconceptions.

However, the succession is clearly evident in the name of the country itself. Upon its founding, Goryeo was centered in Seogyeong (Pyongyang), the old capital of Koguryo, and promoted its Northern Policy to regain old Koguryo territories to the north. The people of Goryeo felt pride in being the descendants of Koguryo. General Seo Hui negotiated with General Xiao Sunning of the Khitan Empire (Liao dynasty) over the Khitan's occupation of former Koguryo territory. General Seo Hui's role in the withdrawal of Khitan forces is a clear demonstration of Goryeo's succession of Koguryo.

Goryeo created the History of the Three Kingdoms to catalogue Koguryo, Baekje, and Silla histories. The fact that Koguryo history was the precursor to Goryeo history was common knowledge to the people of Goryeo. This common knowledge is known even to researchers of Chinese history. The History of Song states, compiled in 1345, contains records describing the Koguryo-Goryeo succession, and many subsequent historical archives contain the same information. Then, Koguryo history was included as foreign history in official Chinese history texts. But today, the Chinese descendants are denying the historical records written by their own ancestors according to various political objectives.

Goryeo is Korea. The country name that was revived and succeeded is still in use today by the descendants of Koguryo and Goryeo. The practice of disregarding history and adopting an unrelated country name is inconceivable. The name Korea alone is enough evidence to prove that Koguryo is a part of Korean history.

위로 이동