Gojoseon

Gojoseon, or Old Choson, was the first kingdom on the Korean Peninsula. According to the Samguk yusa, it was founded in 2333 BCE by Tan'gun, the son of the heavenly prince Hwanung and a bear-woman, Ungnyeo. The myth is understood as a later synthesis of the founding of a state by Bronze Age migrants who fused with an indigenous population. Chinese sources describe a state in the northwest of the peninsula and southern Manchuria that traded with Qi and fought the state of Yan. In 194 BCE a Yan refugee, Wi Man, overthrew King Jun and founded Wiman Joseon, with its capital at Wanggeom-seong, usually identified with Pyongyang. Wiman's grandson King Ugeo resisted Han demands for passage and tribute, and in 108 BCE Emperor Wu's armies conquered the kingdom after a bitter siege. The Han then established four commanderies, including Lelang, to govern the former territory. Gojoseon is remembered as the origin of Korean statehood, and its legendary founding date is still marked as National Foundation Day in both Korean states.