Wiryeseong

Infobox Korean name

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caption=The remains of Pungnap Toseong, located in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which is widely believed to be the site of Wiryeseong (May 2004).
hangul=위례성
hanja=慰禮城
rr= Wiryeseong
mr= Wiryesŏng

Wiryeseong or Michuhol was the name of two early capitals of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Both are believed to have been in the modern-day Seoul area. According to "Samguk Sagi" (the oldest surviving Korean history book, written in the 12th century), Onjo, the son of Goguryeo's founder Jumong, founded the nation of "Sipje" (十濟; later "Baekje") on Wiryeseong in 18 BCE, while his elder brother Biryu established himself in Michuhol (彌鄒忽) further to the west. (The location of Michuhol is usually believed to be present-day Incheon.)

After some time, Biryu recognized that Michuhol's land was too barren and saline to sustain his people, so he moved to Wiryeseong with his people. (Shortly after, the name of the state is changed from "Sipje" to "Baekje.") Later, Onjo moved further south because of Malgal to the north and Nangnang to the east.

The former Wiryeseong is called Habuk (north of the river) Wiryeseong and the latter is called Hanam (south of the river) Wiryeseong. [This is not to be confused with modern Hanam city, which also means "south of the (Han) river."] The earthen walls of Pungnap Toseong in Songpa-gu, Seoul are believed by many to be the remains of Hanam Wiryeseong.cite web |url=http://www.encyber.com/search_w/ctdetail.php?masterno=121243&contentno=121243 |title= 위례성(慰禮城)|publisher=Doosan Encyclopedia |accessdate=2008-04-15 |language=Korean|]

Wiryeseong served as Baekje's capital until 475, when Goguryeo's King Jangsu attacked Baekje and captured Wiryeseong, as well as the whole Han River area, and killing Baekje's King Gaero. Baekje's next king Munju moved south and set the new capital at Ungjin (modern day Gongju city).

ee also

* List of Korea-related topics
* History of Korea
* Castles in Korea

References