I. THE BEGINNING OF THE HISTORY OF KOREA
2. Foundation and Development of Kojoson

(1) The Founding of the Nation by Tan'gun and the Development of Kojoson

Kojoson was the first country formed in Korea and was based on the Bronze culture. Kojoson's patriarch was referred to as Tan'gun Wanggom. In Samguk yusa, he is described as the son born between the son of God, Hwanung, and a woman incarnated from a bear. He established the kingdom of Kojoson in 2333 B.C. It is thought that this myth alludes to the formation of a patriarchal state through the union of separate tribes with different clans. Kojoson first developed with the Liaoning district as its center. Thus, Kojoson gradually rose as a center of the East. Then, around the 4th century B.C., as it faced the Yan nation of China across its borders, it began to struggle for supremacy.
 
(2) Introduction of the Iron Culture and Changes in Kojoson
The Iron culture was introduced around 4 B.C. By that time, China was in the confusion of the Warring States Period and some of the Korean ancestors in the Shandong peninsula and in the northeast moved back to Kojoson. They used iron tools and weapons. Wiman, the leader of these immigrants, drove out King Chun of Kojoson in the early 2nd century B.C. and became king. Later, Kojoson's influence spread to occupy many of its surrounding territories. However, the nation was confronted with aggression from Han China, which ensued into a year-long battle, and its capital Wanggom-song fell to the enemy. Kojoson's long history thus came to an end.
 
A bronze sculpture portraying farmers in the field