Descendants of Goguryeo

Once referred to as the, "Prosperous Nation of the East," or, "海東盛國," alongside Unified Silla, Balhae launched 230 years of existence with the North South States Period on the Korean Peninsula and across mainland Northeast Asia.

Its founder, Dae Jo Yeong, rallied the descendants of Goguryeo and the Malgal tribes, to construct the nation of Balhae on Dongmosan Mountain in 698. Upon hearing the name Balhae, the hearts of many Koreans flutter with visions of the vast land it ruled. As a large empire, its territories included much of modern day Manchuria, Northeast China, Primorsky Krai in Russia and most of what is now North Korea. It fell to the Georan, or the Khitan, in 926.

A special stamp series was published in 2011 reflecting these founding myths.

Daejoyeong of the Balhae Kingdom Special Stamps issued in 2011 (Image courtesy of the Korea Post)

Return of the horse and the egg

Early Silla, also called Seorabyeol in its early days, was founded by Park Hyeokgeose, who was first discovered in a region where Gojoseon descendants had constructed six villages. It was his kingdom that later went on to become Unified Silla.

The baby boy was first found inside an egg protected by a white horse. One day, as he was being bathed, his body started to radiate with light, while animals and birds danced around him. The land shook and the sun and moon grew brighter.

A gyeryeong appeared on the banks of the Alryeongjeong spring and it gave birth to a baby girl from beneath its arm. She was named Alryeong, after her birthplace. The people constructed a palace on the west side of Namsan and lifted up the two sacred children. In 57 B.C., Hyuck Geo Sae and Alryeong were crowned king and queen of the new nation, Seorabyeol.

A stamp series to commemorate the founding of Silla was printed in 2012.

Park Hyeokgeosae of the Silla Kingdom Special Stamps issued in 2012 (Image courtesy of the Korea Post)

Two sons of Jumong

Tales of Baekje's founding begin with Yuri, Jumong's son, born in north Buyeo. In search of his father, he came to Goguryeo. Eventually he was crowned as Goguryeo's successor. Thus Jumong's other two sons, Biryu and Onjo, decided to head south to set up a new kingdom.

Biryu moved with his people to Michuhole, believed to have been near Incheon. Onjo founded Wieryeseong, now Hanam, and made it his capital in 18 B.C. Michuhole turned out to be unsuitable for settlement and Biryu returned to Wieryeseong, while Onjo renamed the country Baekjae.

A series of stamps describing this founding story were printed in 2013.

Onjo of the Baekje Kingdom Special Stamps issued in 2013 (Image courtesy of the Korea Post)

Video introducing the founding myth stamp series and collectors' booklet: