King Taejo Conquers Okjeo

King Taejo of Goguryeo conquered Eastern Okjeo, and the Go clan of Gyeru came to monopolize the throne.

Okjeo was a small state on the Hamgyeong coast with no king, ruled by chiefs called eupgun and samno. Girls were raised in their future husbands’ homes (minmyeoneuri), and the bones of a family were gathered into a single wooden coffin. Taejo made Okjeo and Dongye tributaries, taking the seafood and salt of the east coast, and raided the Chinese commanderies in Liaodong.

From Taejo’s reign the Go clan of Gyeru held the throne. It passed between brothers — to Chadae and Sindae — before settling into father-to-son succession around the time of King Gogukcheon.