Seocheon of Goguryeo

Who was Seocheon of Goguryeo?

King Seocheon of Goguryeo was the 13th ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the second son of King Jungcheon, and was confirmed as Crown Prince in 255. He ascended the throne upon his father's death in 270. In the first lunar month of 271, he took Usu, the daughter of the daesaja of Seo-bu, to be his queen.

In 280, the Sushen people invaded and the king sent his younger brother Go Dal-ga to repel them. Dal-ga took Dallo-seong and killed its lord, and moved about 600 Sushen households to southern Buyeo. King Seocheon made Dal-ga the Prince of National Peace and gave him control of the army, and of the Sushen and Yangmaek tribes.

In 286, Seocheon's younger brothers Go Il-u and Go So-bal led an insurrection, but the rebellion failed and they were slain.

King Seocheon died in 292, after 23 years on the throne. He was buried at Seocheonwon, and accordingly received the temple name of "Seocheon."