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Wang Geon

Type Figure Region Korean Peninsula Time 877–943 Also known as Taejo、Taejo of Goryeo

Wang Geon (877–943), a military commander and statesman of the Later Three Kingdoms period, founded the Goryeo dynasty in 918 and took the title of k…

Timeline

  1. 877–897Songak (Kaesong) · KaesongWang Geon was born into a local aristocratic family of Songak. In his youth he entered military service and gradually rose to prominence amid the fragmented warfare of the Later Three Kingdoms, accumulating military and political capital.
  2. 898–917Songak (Kaesong) · KaesongHe successively served the forces of Gung Ye, Gung Ye and Jin Hwon, among others, before establishing himself as garrison commander of Songak. Using Kaesong as his base, he expanded his power, conquered surrounding cities, and became a major military force in the Later Three Kingdoms order.
  3. 918–943Kaesong (Seogyeong) · KaesongIn 918 he proclaimed the state name Goryeo and took the title of king, establishing his capital at Kaesong; in 935 he accepted Silla's submission, and in 936 he defeated Jin Hwon of Later Baekje at the Battle of Il River, completing the unification of the peninsula and establishing the Goryeo dynastic system of rule.

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