Eulpaso

Who was Eulpaso?

Eulpaso was the Guksang of Goguryeo under its 9th ruler King Gogukcheon.

Eulpaso was a native of Jwa-mul village near the Amnok River before his elevation to the position of Prime Minister. He was not of noble background, but a peasant who was known for his wisdom and righteousness. King Gogukcheon's sudden shift from an aristocratic to meritocratic style of government resulted in the discovering of many talented people throughout the kingdom. Among these selected individuals was Anryu, who was a student and neighbor of Eulpaso. Anryu told the king about Eulpaso, and Samguk Sagi says that the king summoned him to the capital, and eventually gave him the position of Prime Minister in 191.

Eulpaso helped the king rule the kingdom wisely, but was constantly attacked politically by jealous nobles. The king became aware of this, and immediately put a halt to the protests. Eulpaso died in 203, during the reign of King Sansang, the successor of King Gogukcheon.