Go Dumak of Bukbuyeo

Go Dumak (고두막, 高豆莫) or King Dongmyeong (동명왕, 東明王) (r. 108 BCE - 60 BCE) was the founder of Dongmyeong-guk and 5th Dangun of the ancient Korean empire of Bukbuyeo. He overthrew Hae Buru Dangun in 86 BCE and took power in Bukbuyeo, renaming it "Jolbon buyeo" during that same year.

Background

Go Dumak was a descendant of Goyeolga of Gojoseon, who was the last Dangun of Jinjoseon. He had a very distant family connection with the descendants of Hae Mosu because Hae Mosu was a relative of Goyeolga Dangun.

Dongmyeong

When Wiman Joseon was destroyed in the year 108 BCE, Go Dumak gathered an army and moved into the former regions of Beonjoseon, which is where Wiman Joseon had stood for a few years. There, Go Dumak established Dongmyeong-guk ("The Dongmyeong Kingdom") during that same year. Go Dumak became known as King Dongmyeong.

Dangun of Bukbuyeo

King Dongmyeong slowly gathered an army and attacked Han armies and strongholds. After 19 years of fighting to drive the Han out of the region, King Dongmyeong set his sights on Bukbuyeo. In 22nd year of reign, in 87 BCE, the king sent a messenger to Go Uru of Buyeo, telling ruler to surrender and join him. Receiving such an intimidating message, Go Uru Dangun began to get worried and fell into sickly years before dying a few months later.

With the death of Go Uru, his brother Hae Buru rose to the throne and prepared to become the next Dangun of Bukbuyeo. Upon hearing of these events, King Dongmyeong led his massive army and attacked Bukbuyeo, chasing Hae Buru to the east, near the modern-day Sea of Japan (East Sea). Hae Buru established East Buyeo in 86 BCE. At the same time, King Dongmyeong became the 5th Dangun of Bukbuyeo, which was called "Jolbon Buyeo" from then on. King Dongmyeong made his eldest son Prince Go Museo, Crown Prince of Bukbuyeo and successor to the throne.

Succession

After years of fighting against the Four Commanderies of Han, King Dongmyeong died in 59 BCE, during his 49th year of reign. Crown Prince Go Museo succeeded King Dongmyeong to the throne of Bukbuyeo and became the 6th Dangun of Bukbuyeo.

See also

* Jolbon Buyeo
* Bukbuyeo
* Hae Buru
* Go Uru of Buyeo
* Go Museo of Bukbuyeo
* Han Dynasty