The Dawn of Korean History (2)

Baekje was founded by Onjo, the son of Goguryeo`s progenitor, Jumong. Onjo expanded the territory southwards and designated Wiryeseong (within vicinity of today`s Seoul) as its capital. The kingdom gradually defined itself by annexing the Han River basin and expanding further to Liaoxi, china and to certain areas of Japan Baekje lost control of the Han River basin and moved its capital, first to Ungjin (present-day Gongju) and then later to Sabi (present-day Buyeo). Subsequently, the Kingdom was determind to restore the peninsula as one nation that could carry out cultural exchange with Silla and China. Indeed, it was during this time that Baekje passed on several important cultural assets to Japan, including Buddhism and Chinese characters.

Silla, which originated in Saroguk, was found by a partnership between the Park, Seok, and Kim clans. Silla was the last of the three kingdoms to establish its own national system, but Silla got outshone in the 6th century. The kingdom instituted an organization called Hwarangdo, a martial art with spritual, intellectual, and artistic elements to it, in an efforts to nurture young people. It also officially approved Buddhism as a state religion to prevent ideological divisions. Furthermore, Silla annexed the Han River basin and enlarged its territory all the way to Nakdong River basin.

While Goguryeo was in constant struggle with Chian, Silla was frequently attacked by Baekje. Then, Silla allied itself with Tang China and finally conquered Baekje. Riding on this wave of momentum, Silla eventually conquered Goguryeo. Yet it was at this same time that Goguryeo faced an internal power struggle within the country. After a string of victories, Tang China attempted to gain control over and rule Silla, but Silla allied itself with Goguryeo and Baekje and soon drove the Chinese forces from the peninsula. In 676, Silla then absorbed the southern part of the Daedong River. Although Silla`s unification of the Three Kingdoms was achieved with help of outside force, simply becoming the first unified state on the Korean peninsula was a substantive accomplishment in an of itself.