Stamps of South Korea: National Founding Stories (2013)

As a part of a concerted effort to; “establish our cultural identity in the right way,” a selection of national-founding stories from each era has been introduced. The selection of stamps begins with ‘Dangun Wanggeom of Gojoseon,’ continuing with ‘Geumwa of Buyeo,’ ‘Jumong of Goguryeo,’ ‘Daejoyeong of Balhae,’ ‘Park Hyeokgeose of Shilla,’ and finally ‘Onjo of the Baekje Kingdom”.
Jumong who came from Northern Buyeo to Jolbon Buyeo got married with the daughter of Jolbon Buyeo’s king and, on succeeding to his throne, set up the kingdom of Goguryeo. Jumong then gave birth to two sons, the first named Biryu and the second, Onjo. Yuri, another son, fathered by Jumong when he was staying in Northern Buyeo, came to Goguryeo and became its crown prince, while Biryu and Onjo headed south with 10 servants to establish a new kingdom. Biryu took some people and went to Michuhol, while Onjo set up the capital at Wiryeseong located south of the Han River and established a country with the help of his servants. The date was 18 BC. On finding that Michuhol was not a proper place in which to live, Biryu returned to Wiryeseong. Seeing that the capital, Wiryeseong looked stable and the people there seemed to live comfortable lives, Biryu died, deeply regretting his decision in choosing Michuhol. All of Biryu’s servants and people then followed him back to Wiryeseong, and willingly submitted to the rule of Onjo. Onjo was to later call his country Baekje. Founded in 18 BC and developed around the Han River, Baekje established a maritime kingdom. Due to its particular geographical characteristics, Baekje accepted its new products of civilization from China, developed them into Baekje’s own culture, and transferred them back to Japan. Through these active exchanges with the surrounding countries, Baekje became the center of civilization exchanges in ancient East Asia. Though not a military power or territorial giant, Baekje developed into a cultural power with a sophisticated and refined culture.
Source: South Korea Post
published November 26th, 2013