Gija Joseon (around 300 BC - 194 BC or 1126 BC - 194 BC) was an ancient kingdom that succeeded Go-Joseon.
Gija was the paternal uncle of the last emperor of the Chinese Shang Dynasty, the tyrannical King Zhou. Gija was imprisoned by the tyrant until the downfall of Shang Kingdom, when King Wu of Zhou released him. Not wanting to be the subject of the Zhou Kingdom, Gija led 5,000 to present-day Korea and became the king of Joseon.
Whether Gija Joseon actually existed or not is a matter of great controversy; for some historians deny or ignore Gija because of nationalistic ideology. According to Samguk Yusa, Go-Joseon was established in 2333 BC. But Samguk Yusa doesn't provide much detail; and according to Gyuwon Sahwa , a historical record of Danguns and their periods of reign, Go-Joseon was ruled by 43 Danguns for 1195 years. The "lost period" between fall of Go-Joseon and Wiman Joseon makes it possible that Gija Joseon existed.
House Seonwu of Taewon of Korea has Book of Roots of House Seonwu of Taewon(태원선우씨세보, 太原鮮于氏世譜) which lists names of 41 rulers of Gija Joseon and their periods of reign.
Gija Joseon was succeeded by Wiman Joseon.
Rulers of Gija Joseon
List according to Book of Roots of House Seonwu of Taewon
See also
