The history of Korea is rich in personalities as well as events. But few delve into the roots of the origin of the state. But its predecessor was Gochoson - a settlement full of secrets.
The ancient history of any country is interesting, fascinating and full of mysteries, it is difficult to distinguish between myth and reality, which so often border on each other. The history of ancient Korea is no exception. An integral part of it is a pre-state entity called Gochoson. It is worth noting that Gojoson laid the foundation for the subsequent formation of not only Korea, but a number of neighboring states.
Legend of the formation of Kojoson
Ancient references almost always concern a mythologized character - the founder of one of the most ancient kingdoms not only of this part of the Earth, but of the whole world - Tangun. According to legends, he was a descendant of an ancient deity personifying the lord of heaven.
According to legend, he, as the grandson of the Lord, and another three thousand of his people were sent to Earth in order to bring prosperity to people. They ended up on the highest mountain of the peninsula - Mount Paektusan, where Kojoson was created. It is worth noting that, despite the fact that the time of myths and legends has already passed, and science rules civilization, this mountain, located on the border of Korea and China, is still considered sacred by the locals.
In the city of Xingxi, the city of God, founded by Tangun and his followers, laws and departments were established, people were trained in crafts and the basics of doing business. According to legends, medicine also flourished here.
Legend has it that once a tiger and a bear came to Tangun with a request to turn them into people, he also told them that this can be done only if they pass the test. They had to sit in a cave for 100 days without light or food. The tiger surrendered, but the bear passed the test and became the wife of Tangun, giving birth to his son - an heir.
Historical debates about the ancient Korean state
It should be noted that the exact date of the foundation of Kojoson has not been determined to this day, historians and archaeologists around the world disagree for more than one and a half thousand years. Some believe that this most ancient state was founded approximately in the 14th century BC, while others are sure that the 4th-3rd century BC, because it is these centuries that the first written mentions of this state date back.
In other words, the question of the years of formation and structure of Kojoson, as an ancient state formation, is still open, and while both sides of the dispute can only wait for new historical findings to be revealed that confirm this or that theory.
