Territorial Expansion of Goguryeo

The Goguryeo kingdom of the northern Korean Peninsula adopted an aggressive expansionist policy and occupied the largest territory in the Korean history. Especially, on the basis of a great military strength, Goguryeo fought against the Chinese invasions for hundreds years and it has been recognized as a symbol of independence in the minds of Koreans today. Goguryeo’s territorial expansion was possible at this time because Goguryeo used highly advanced weapons and military tactics.

This exhibit is a weapon employed by the cavalry of Goguryeo. Initially, Goguryeo troops used short weapons such as swords, but they gradually began to use more advanced weaponry such as spears and arrows. They converted their infantry into cavalry, and became a major power of northeast Asia during the 5th century, similarly to the later military of the highly successful Mongol Empire in the 13th century.

After the political situation in the north stabilized, King Jangsu expanded Goguryeo’s territory southward and extended its frontier into the Han River area. Under the King’s plans for expansion, the Han River was the most important point in the region. Indeed, the entire Han River region was of great tactical importance, linking both north and south, and east and west of the peninsula. The land was fertile and supplies were abundant. It also provided a means of transport to the west coast, where important trade links with China had been established. Therefore, all the ancient Korean kingdoms fought to gain and maintain control of the area.

These farming tools, which were found in the Han River region, belonged to Goguryeo troops. The bronze pot on the right was found in the south-east of the peninsula, the domain of the former Silla kingdom. The name of a Goguryeo king is inscribed on the lid, and thus it is assumed to have been introduced to Silla from Goguryeo. This reflects the increased power of Goguryeo over its neighboring kingdoms.