Overview
Gojoseon is the first Korean kingdom of tradition. Its founding by Dangun in 2333 BC is legend, first fully recorded in the 13th-century Samguk Yusa, while Chinese records attest a Joseon state by the 4th century BC.
Key developments
Gojoseon belonged to a bronze-dagger and early iron culture. The Korean peninsula holds one of the world’s largest concentrations of dolmen tombs, and the Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa sites were listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2000.
In 194 BC Wiman took the throne, beginning the period known as Wiman Joseon.
End and transition
Han China’s Emperor Wu conquered Wiman Joseon in 108 BC and set up commanderies in its place, of which Lelang was the longest-lived.