The Fall of Gojoseon: How Wiman Joseon Collapsed under the Han Dynasty Invasion

The Fall of Gojoseon: Wiman Joseon, Han Invasion, and the Four Han Commanderies

The story of Gojoseon's fall is a dramatic chapter in ancient Korean history. From the rise of Wiman Joseon to the powerful Han dynasty’s invasion and the establishment of the Four Han Commanderies, this period marks the end of Korea’s first kingdom and the beginning of a new era of cultural exchange and conflict. In this post, we'll explore the timeline, the key figures, and the historical significance of Gojoseon's collapse.

Table of Contents

• Background: The Rise of Wiman Joseon
• Han Dynasty Invasion and Gojoseon's Fall
• The Establishment of the Four Han Commanderies
• Historical Significance
• Frequently Asked Questions
• References

Background: The Rise of Wiman Joseon

After centuries of rule, Gojoseon entered a turbulent period in the late 3rd century BCE. Around 194 BCE, a former Yan general named Wiman (Wi Man) sought asylum in Gojoseon and eventually seized power, establishing what historians call Wiman Joseon. Wiman expanded the territory and strengthened the kingdom, making it a powerful force in Northeast Asia.

Han Dynasty Invasion and Gojoseon's Fall

The growing power of Wiman Joseon alarmed the Han dynasty in China. In 109–108 BCE, Emperor Wu of Han launched a massive military campaign against Gojoseon. Despite fierce resistance, Wiman Joseon fell in 108 BCE after a long siege of its capital. This marked the official end of Gojoseon, Korea’s first kingdom.

The Establishment of the Four Han Commanderies

After the fall of Gojoseon, the Han dynasty established the Four Han Commanderies (Lelang, Xuantu, Zhenfan, and Lintun) to govern the conquered territories. The most important of these was Lelang Commandery, headquartered near today’s Pyongyang. These commanderies became centers of administration, trade, and cultural exchange between Han China and the Korean Peninsula for nearly 400 years, until they were eventually replaced by emerging Korean states like Goguryeo.

Historical Significance

• Cultural Exchange: The Han commanderies introduced Chinese culture, technology, and administrative systems to ancient Korea.
• Resistance and Identity: The memory of Gojoseon's fall fueled a sense of identity and resistance among later Korean kingdoms.
• Beginning of New Kingdoms: The collapse of Gojoseon set the stage for the rise of new Korean states, especially Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who was Wiman and why did he take over Gojoseon?

Wiman was a Chinese military refugee who was granted asylum by Gojoseon. He eventually seized power, establishing a new ruling dynasty known as Wiman Joseon.

Q2. What were the Four Han Commanderies?

They were administrative regions set up by the Han dynasty to govern the conquered Gojoseon territory, with Lelang being the most influential.

Q3. How did the Han commanderies influence Korean history?

The commanderies introduced Chinese culture and technology, but also sparked local resistance, which helped shape early Korean identity.

References

• Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), Kim Busik, 12th century
• Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Sima Qian, c. 94 BCE
• Book of Han (Hanshu), Ban Gu, 1st century CE
• “The Cambridge History of Korea”, Cambridge University Press, 2023

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Tags: Gojoseon, Wiman Joseon, Han dynasty, Four Han Commanderies, ancient Korea, Korean history, Han invasion, Korean kingdoms, Chinese commanderies, Lelang