37°31′50.25″N127°7′0.62″E / 37.5306250°N 127.1168389°E /37.5306250; 127.1168389
| Wiryeseong | |
 The remains ofPungnap Toseong, located inSongpa-gu,Seoul, which is widely believed to be the site of Wiryeseong (May 2004). | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 위례성 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Wiryeseong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Wiryesŏng |
Wiryeseong (Korean: 위례성;Hanja: 慰禮城) was the name of two early capitals ofBaekje, one of theThree Kingdoms of Korea. Both are believed to have been in the modern-daySeoul area. According toSamguk Sagi (the oldest surviving Korean history book, written in the 12th century),Onjo, the son ofGoguryeo's founderJumong, founded the nation ofSipje (십제, 十濟; later becameBaekje) on Wiryeseong in 18 BC, while his elder brotherBiryu established himself in Michuhol (미추홀, 彌鄒忽) further to the west. The location of Michuhol is usually believed to be present-dayIncheon.[1]
After some time, Biryu recognized that Michuhol's land was too barren and saline to sustain his people, so he moved to Wiryeseong with his people (Shortly after, the name of the state is changed fromSipje toBaekje). Later, Onjo moved further south because ofMalgal to the north andLelang to the east.
The former Wiryeseong is called Habuk (north of the river) Wiryeseong and the latter is called Hanam (south of the river) Wiryeseong.[2] The earthen walls ofPungnap Toseong andMongchon Toseong inSongpa-gu,Seoul are believed by many to be the remains of Hanam Wiryeseong.[3]
During the Hanseong period, Baekje grew up against Southern Mahan and Northern Chinese Commanderies includingDaifang, which attempted to violate their border. In the process, Baekje modified the political systems, and expended its territory to Mahan andHwanghae region, and it became as a regional power.
Wiryeseong served asBaekje’s capital until 475, when Goguryeo'sKing Jangsu attacked Baekje and captured Wiryeseong, as well as the wholeHan River area, and killing Baekje'sKing Gaero. Baekje's next kingMunju moved south and set the new capital atUngjin (modern dayGongju city).
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