{"content_id":"lhanpfbgrs","slug":"dae-joyeong-698-balhae-founding-cheonmunryeong","locale":"en","schema_type":"Article","category":"knowledge_base","category_name":"Knowledge Base","title":"Dae Joyeong: 698 Balhae Founding and Tianmenling Battle","summary":"Dae Joyeong led Goguryeo refugees and Mohe groups, repelled the Tang pursuit, and founded Balhae. This explains the evidence for the 698 founding theory and the significance of the Battle of Tianmenling based on differences among historical records.","sponsorship_disclosure":null,"affiliate_disclosure":null,"commerce_disclosure":null,"author":{"name":"Injoys Editorial Team","url":"https://injoys.com/ko/about"},"key_points":["Dae Joyeong's group moved east following the Khitan uprising in Yingzhou in 696.","Victory at the Battle of Tianmenling allowed Dae Joyeong's group to escape pursuit and establish a base for settlement.","The generally accepted year of Balhae's founding is 698, based on the record in the Ruijū Kokushi.","The Old Book of Tang and the New Book of Tang give different accounts of Dae Joyeong's origins.","The 713 investiture as King of Balhae Commandery put relations with Tang on a formal footing after Balhae's founding."],"content_markdown":"Dae Joyeong led a group that had been relocated to Yingzhou after the fall of Goguryeo. An alliance of Goguryeo refugees and Mohe forces defeated Tang's pursuers. The generally accepted view is that Balhae was founded in 698. The Battle of Tianmenling is remembered as a turning point that preserved the foundation on which they could establish a new state.\n\nThe sources and research commentaries included by the National Institute of Korean History for this article were checked in September 2026.\n\n## Who Was Dae Joyeong?\n\nDae Joyeong was the first king and founder of Balhae. His year of birth is unknown. His posthumous royal title was King Go, and his reign is dated from 698 to 719.\n\nHis father is said to have been Geolgeol Jungsang. Geolsa Biu was the leader of the Mohe group that traveled with him. After Dae Joyeong died in 719, his son Dae Muye succeeded to the throne. Dae Muye became King Mu of Balhae. [Entry on King Go](https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0003841)\n\n## The Fall of Goguryeo and the Background of the Migration to Yingzhou\n\nThe founding of Balhae began with forced migration and subjugation after the fall of Goguryeo. After Goguryeo collapsed in 668, its displaced people scattered across several regions. Tang relocated some Goguryeo residents to areas under its rule.\n\nDae Joyeong's group also came to live in Yingzhou in western Liaoning. Yingzhou corresponds to the area around present-day Chaoyang (朝陽), China. It was a base from which Tang controlled various groups in the northeastern region. Goguryeo refugees, Mohe people, Khitans, and others lived there together.\n\nThe exact time when Dae Joyeong's family moved to Yingzhou remains disputed. One view places the move immediately after the fall of Goguryeo. Another links it to the subsequent anti-Tang movements in the Liaodong region. It is therefore difficult to conclude that they moved there immediately in 668.\n\n## The Departure from Yingzhou and Eastward Movement in 696\n\nThe Khitan uprising of 696 gave Dae Joyeong's group an opportunity to escape Tang rule. Forces led by Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong rose against Tang in Yingzhou. Tang concentrated its military strength on suppressing them.\n\nAmid this turmoil, the groups led by Dae Joyeong and Geolsa Biu moved eastward. Not all Goguryeo refugees who left Yingzhou accompanied them. The 『Revised History of Korea』 also describes groups that remained behind or acted alongside Tang forces.\n\nThe eastward movement was not a simple journey directly to Dongmo Mountain. The groups stopped along the way and maintained their strength. However, researchers differ in their reconstructions of the details, including where they stayed and which routes they took.\n\n## Timeline of the Founding of Balhae\n\nThe founding of Balhae can be divided into the departure from Yingzhou, the defeat of the pursuers, settlement, and the establishment of diplomatic relations. The timeline below focuses on the dates generally in use. The precise date of the Battle of Tianmenling requires separate examination.\n\n| Year | Event | Supporting source |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 668 | Dispersal and migration of displaced people after the fall of Goguryeo | Our History Net, “The Founding of Balhae” |\n| 696 | The groups led by Dae Joyeong and Geolsa Biu depart amid the Khitan uprising in Yingzhou | “Account of Balhae Mohe” in the 『Old Book of Tang』 |\n| Dated to spring 698 | Li Kaigu's pursuing forces defeated at Tianmenling | Lunar dating in the “Chronology of Ancient History” in the Korean History Database |\n| 698 | Generally accepted year of Balhae's founding | Research commentary on the record in the 『Ruijū Kokushi』 |\n| 713 | Tang invests Dae Joyeong as King of Balhae Commandery | “The Development of Balhae” in the 『Revised History of Korea』 |\n| 719 | Dae Joyeong dies and Dae Muye succeeds to the throne | Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, “King Go” |\n\n## Why Was the Battle of Tianmenling a Turning Point?\n\nThe Battle of Tianmenling stopped the pursuit intended to break up Dae Joyeong's group. Li Kaigu, a Khitan general who had surrendered to Tang, led the pursuing forces. Geolsa Biu's group was attacked first and defeated. Geolsa Biu also died in the process.\n\nDae Joyeong gathered Goguryeo and Mohe troops to confront the pursuers. The 『Old Book of Tang』 states that Li Kaigu's army suffered a major defeat. This victory allowed Dae Joyeong's group to continue moving eastward.\n\nRegional circumstances also helped bring the pursuit to an end. When the Khitans and the Xi came under the Göktürks, Tang's land routes into the region were blocked. The military victory and the constraints on further Tang expeditions together created room for settlement. [Translation and commentary on the 『Old Book of Tang』](https://contents.history.go.kr/front/hm/view.do?levelId=hm_030_0010)\n\nThe significance of the battle can be divided as follows.\n\n- Military result: It stopped the attack by the pursuing forces led by Li Kaigu.\n- Survival of the group: It preserved the allied forces of Goguryeo refugees and Mohe people.\n- Conditions for founding a state: It secured the possibility of settling at a new base.\n\nThe exact location of Tianmenling remains a subject of historical geographical research matching written records to terrain. The watershed between the Hun River and Huifa River has been suggested as a possible location. The sources examined do not provide enough evidence to determine troop numbers or confirm the use of ambush tactics.\n\n## Settlement at Dongmo Mountain and the Investiture of 713\n\nSettlement at Dongmo Mountain marked the stage when the migrating group established a lasting political base. Dongmo Mountain is believed to have been in the area of present-day Dunhua (敦化), China. One view identifies the Seongsanja Mountain Fortress as the stronghold at Dongmo Mountain.\n\nThe state's initial name is generally given as Jin. The Chinese characters are variously recorded as Jin (振國) and Jin (震國). The difference in the written characters does not indicate two separate countries.\n\nIn 713, Tang sent the envoy Cui Xin and invested Dae Joyeong as King of Balhae Commandery. Investiture was a formal arrangement in which an emperor granted a title and status to another ruler. The 『Revised History of Korea』 explains that Balhae was subsequently adopted as the state's official name. Exchanges of envoys and trade between the two states also continued.\n\nThe investiture should not be confused with the founding of Balhae itself. Dae Joyeong's political power had already been established before then. Research commentary holds that Tang and Balhae adjusted their relationship according to their respective diplomatic needs. [“The Development of Balhae” in the 『Revised History of Korea』](https://contents.history.go.kr/front/nh/print.do?levelId=nh_010_0020_0020\u0026whereStr=)\n\n## Records and Interpretations: Dae Joyeong's Origins\n\nUnderstanding Dae Joyeong's origins requires reading the descriptions in two historical works together. The 『Old Book of Tang』 and the 『New Book of Tang』 describe the same person differently. Origin here means a person's lineage or the group from which they came.\n\n### What Do the Sources Say?\n\nBoth sources connect him to Goguryeo. However, they differ in how they describe the group's origins. The commentary on Our History Net contrasts the following two records.\n\n\u003e a branch of Goryeo\n\u003e\n\u003e The 『Old Book of Tang』's description of Dae Joyeong's origin\n\n| Source | Description of origin | Distinction to make when interpreting it |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 『Old Book of Tang』 | a branch of Goryeo | Goryeo here refers to Goguryeo |\n| 『New Book of Tang』 | of Sumo Mohe origin and subject to Goguryeo | Describes both Mohe origins and affiliation with Goguryeo |\n\n### What Is the General Explanation?\n\nKorean historical surveys emphasize Balhae's succession to Goguryeo. They also explain the alliance between Goguryeo refugees and Mohe groups that participated in its founding. This is distinct from determining a single lineage for Dae Joyeong as an individual.\n\nAffiliation with Goguryeo and Mohe origins may represent different layers of information. Some groups of Mohe origin were also members of Goguryeo. It is therefore difficult to treat Goguryeo and Mohe people as mutually exclusive categories in every case.\n\n### What Remains Disputed?\n\nThe debate centers on the meaning of “branch” and the relationship between the two records. Whether to emphasize political affiliation or group lineage is also at issue. A single phrase should not be used to assign modern ethnic or national categories.\n\n## Was Balhae Founded in 698 or 699?\n\nThe currently accepted year for the founding of Balhae is 698. This is based on a specific chronological record in the 『Ruijū Kokushi』 (類聚國史). The “Balhae” entry in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture also presents this as the established view. [Entry on Balhae](https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0021626)\n\nThe date 699 reflects an earlier chronological interpretation. The 『Old Book of Tang』 states that Dae Joyeong became king during the Shengli era. It does not specify a particular year. Research materials from the Northeast Asian History Foundation explain the estimate of 699 based on this wording.\n\nThe date 699 also appears in older textbooks included on Our History Net. The fact that older textbooks are publicly available online does not mean that they represent the latest view. The difference between the two dates should not be explained simply as a matter of converting between lunar and solar calendars.\n\n| Date | Basis and nature | Treatment in this article |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 698 | Generally accepted view based on the record in the 『Ruijū Kokushi』 | Used as the primary founding year |\n| 699 | Earlier interpretation that assigned a specific year within the Shengli era | Identified as an older account |\n| Substantive founding from 700 onward | Research view that distinguishes settlement from state formation | Presented separately from the generally accepted view |\n\nRoh Tae-don's commentary in the 『Revised History of Korea』 reexamines the meaning of Balhae's founding. It suggests that 698 may be interpreted as the point when leadership was established. It places substantive state formation after the settlement at Dongmo Mountain from 700 onward. This is an individual researcher's interpretation and differs from the generally accepted view. [“The Eastward Migration and Founding of Dae Joyeong's Group”](https://contents.history.go.kr/front/nh/print.do?levelId=nh_010_0020_0010_0030\u0026whereStr=)\n\n## How Do Timeline Dates Differ from the Original Sources?\n\nDates in modern timelines must be distinguished from dates written in the original sources. The Korean History Database places the Battle of Tianmenling in spring 698. The date for the entry is given according to the lunar calendar. It does not provide an exact solar calendar date. [Battle entry in the “Chronology of Ancient History”](https://db.history.go.kr/id/tcko_0698_99_99_0010)\n\nBy contrast, the excerpt from the 『Old Book of Tang』 on Our History Net does not give a year, month, or day for the battle. It describes the battle, the eastward movement, and Dae Joyeong's accession in sequence. Spring 698 should therefore be cited explicitly as a date assigned by a modern timeline.\n\nThis distinction also matters when recording the history of Balhae as data. The certainty of the founding year and the battle date should not be marked in the same way. Separating the following items reveals the boundary between records and interpretations.\n\n- Event: Record the Battle of Tianmenling and the founding of Balhae as separate entries.\n- Date: Distinguish the period assigned by a timeline from the wording of the original source.\n- Certainty: Mark the generally accepted view, individual research views, and unknown information separately.\n\n## The Meaning of Reading the Founding of Balhae Today\n\nThe founding of Balhae shows that the history after the fall of Goguryeo cannot be explained through Silla alone. The period when Silla and Balhae existed together is called the Northern and Southern States Period. This framework connects the histories of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria.\n\nThe composition of the founding group shows the affiliations that existed within ancient states. Balhae's consciousness of succeeding Goguryeo and the participation of members of Mohe origin should be examined together. Reducing the entire population to a single lineage obscures the society of the time.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### Is Dae Joyeong's Year of Birth Known?\n\nHis year of birth is unknown. Encyclopedias summarizing his life also list his year of birth as unknown. No basis for identifying his exact birthday has been found.\n\n### Were Geolgeol Jungsang and Geolsa Biu the Same Person?\n\nThey were different people. Geolgeol Jungsang is said to have been Dae Joyeong's father. Geolsa Biu was the leader of the Mohe group that traveled with him.\n\n### Was the Battle of Tianmenling the Same Event as the Founding of Balhae?\n\nThe battle and the founding were separate events. The battle was a military clash in which Li Kaigu's pursuing forces were defeated. The founding was the process of establishing royal authority and a political base.\n\n### Were Jin and Balhae Different Countries?\n\nThey are generally described as the earlier and later names of the same state. Jin is recorded as the initial name. Balhae is understood to have been used as the state's name after the investiture of 713.\n\n### Did Investiture as King of Balhae Commandery Mean Direct Tang Rule?\n\nThe investiture alone cannot be taken to mean direct rule. Investiture was a formal means of granting status within a diplomatic order. The actual governing relationship must be examined together with Balhae's political administration and foreign activities.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eDae Joyeong led a group that had been relocated to Yingzhou after the fall of Goguryeo. An alliance of Goguryeo refugees and Mohe forces defeated Tang's pursuers. The generally accepted view is that Balhae was founded in 698. The Battle of Tianmenling is remembered as a turning point that preserved the foundation on which they could establish a new state.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sources and research commentaries included by the National Institute of Korean History for this article were checked in September 2026.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#who-was-dae-joyeong\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"who-was-dae-joyeong\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWho Was Dae Joyeong?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDae Joyeong was the first king and founder of Balhae. His year of birth is unknown. His posthumous royal title was King Go, and his reign is dated from 698 to 719.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis father is said to have been Geolgeol Jungsang. Geolsa Biu was the leader of the Mohe group that traveled with him. After Dae Joyeong died in 719, his son Dae Muye succeeded to the throne. Dae Muye became King Mu of Balhae. \u003ca href=\"https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0003841\"\u003eEntry on King Go\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-fall-of-goguryeo-and-the-background-of-the-migration-to-yingzhou\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-fall-of-goguryeo-and-the-background-of-the-migration-to-yingzhou\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Fall of Goguryeo and the Background of the Migration to Yingzhou\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe founding of Balhae began with forced migration and subjugation after the fall of Goguryeo. After Goguryeo collapsed in 668, its displaced people scattered across several regions. Tang relocated some Goguryeo residents to areas under its rule.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDae Joyeong's group also came to live in Yingzhou in western Liaoning. Yingzhou corresponds to the area around present-day Chaoyang (朝陽), China. It was a base from which Tang controlled various groups in the northeastern region. Goguryeo refugees, Mohe people, Khitans, and others lived there together.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exact time when Dae Joyeong's family moved to Yingzhou remains disputed. One view places the move immediately after the fall of Goguryeo. Another links it to the subsequent anti-Tang movements in the Liaodong region. It is therefore difficult to conclude that they moved there immediately in 668.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-departure-from-yingzhou-and-eastward-movement-in-696\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-departure-from-yingzhou-and-eastward-movement-in-696\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Departure from Yingzhou and Eastward Movement in 696\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Khitan uprising of 696 gave Dae Joyeong's group an opportunity to escape Tang rule. Forces led by Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong rose against Tang in Yingzhou. Tang concentrated its military strength on suppressing them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmid this turmoil, the groups led by Dae Joyeong and Geolsa Biu moved eastward. Not all Goguryeo refugees who left Yingzhou accompanied them. The 『Revised History of Korea』 also describes groups that remained behind or acted alongside Tang forces.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe eastward movement was not a simple journey directly to Dongmo Mountain. The groups stopped along the way and maintained their strength. However, researchers differ in their reconstructions of the details, including where they stayed and which routes they took.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#timeline-of-the-founding-of-balhae\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"timeline-of-the-founding-of-balhae\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eTimeline of the Founding of Balhae\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe founding of Balhae can be divided into the departure from Yingzhou, the defeat of the pursuers, settlement, and the establishment of diplomatic relations. The timeline below focuses on the dates generally in use. The precise date of the Battle of Tianmenling requires separate examination.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eYear\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eEvent\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupporting source\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Year\"\u003e668\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event\"\u003eDispersal and migration of displaced people after the fall of Goguryeo\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Supporting source\"\u003eOur History Net, “The Founding of Balhae”\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Year\"\u003e696\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event\"\u003eThe groups led by Dae Joyeong and Geolsa Biu depart amid the Khitan uprising in Yingzhou\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Supporting source\"\u003e“Account of Balhae Mohe” in the 『Old Book of Tang』\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Year\"\u003eDated to spring 698\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event\"\u003eLi Kaigu's pursuing forces defeated at Tianmenling\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Supporting source\"\u003eLunar dating in the “Chronology of Ancient History” in the Korean History Database\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Year\"\u003e698\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event\"\u003eGenerally accepted year of Balhae's founding\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Supporting source\"\u003eResearch commentary on the record in the 『Ruijū Kokushi』\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Year\"\u003e713\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event\"\u003eTang invests Dae Joyeong as King of Balhae Commandery\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Supporting source\"\u003e“The Development of Balhae” in the 『Revised History of Korea』\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Year\"\u003e719\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Event\"\u003eDae Joyeong dies and Dae Muye succeeds to the throne\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Supporting source\"\u003eEncyclopedia of Korean Culture, “King Go”\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#why-was-the-battle-of-tianmenling-a-turning-point\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"why-was-the-battle-of-tianmenling-a-turning-point\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhy Was the Battle of Tianmenling a Turning Point?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Battle of Tianmenling stopped the pursuit intended to break up Dae Joyeong's group. Li Kaigu, a Khitan general who had surrendered to Tang, led the pursuing forces. Geolsa Biu's group was attacked first and defeated. Geolsa Biu also died in the process.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDae Joyeong gathered Goguryeo and Mohe troops to confront the pursuers. The 『Old Book of Tang』 states that Li Kaigu's army suffered a major defeat. This victory allowed Dae Joyeong's group to continue moving eastward.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegional circumstances also helped bring the pursuit to an end. When the Khitans and the Xi came under the Göktürks, Tang's land routes into the region were blocked. The military victory and the constraints on further Tang expeditions together created room for settlement. \u003ca href=\"https://contents.history.go.kr/front/hm/view.do?levelId=hm_030_0010\"\u003eTranslation and commentary on the 『Old Book of Tang』\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe significance of the battle can be divided as follows.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMilitary result: It stopped the attack by the pursuing forces led by Li Kaigu.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurvival of the group: It preserved the allied forces of Goguryeo refugees and Mohe people.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConditions for founding a state: It secured the possibility of settling at a new base.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exact location of Tianmenling remains a subject of historical geographical research matching written records to terrain. The watershed between the Hun River and Huifa River has been suggested as a possible location. The sources examined do not provide enough evidence to determine troop numbers or confirm the use of ambush tactics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#settlement-at-dongmo-mountain-and-the-investiture-of-713\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"settlement-at-dongmo-mountain-and-the-investiture-of-713\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eSettlement at Dongmo Mountain and the Investiture of 713\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSettlement at Dongmo Mountain marked the stage when the migrating group established a lasting political base. Dongmo Mountain is believed to have been in the area of present-day Dunhua (敦化), China. One view identifies the Seongsanja Mountain Fortress as the stronghold at Dongmo Mountain.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe state's initial name is generally given as Jin. The Chinese characters are variously recorded as Jin (振國) and Jin (震國). The difference in the written characters does not indicate two separate countries.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 713, Tang sent the envoy Cui Xin and invested Dae Joyeong as King of Balhae Commandery. Investiture was a formal arrangement in which an emperor granted a title and status to another ruler. The 『Revised History of Korea』 explains that Balhae was subsequently adopted as the state's official name. Exchanges of envoys and trade between the two states also continued.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe investiture should not be confused with the founding of Balhae itself. Dae Joyeong's political power had already been established before then. Research commentary holds that Tang and Balhae adjusted their relationship according to their respective diplomatic needs. \u003ca href=\"https://contents.history.go.kr/front/nh/print.do?levelId=nh_010_0020_0020\u0026amp;whereStr=\"\u003e“The Development of Balhae” in the 『Revised History of Korea』\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#records-and-interpretations-dae-joyeongs-origins\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"records-and-interpretations-dae-joyeongs-origins\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eRecords and Interpretations: Dae Joyeong's Origins\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnderstanding Dae Joyeong's origins requires reading the descriptions in two historical works together. The 『Old Book of Tang』 and the 『New Book of Tang』 describe the same person differently. Origin here means a person's lineage or the group from which they came.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-do-the-sources-say\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-do-the-sources-say\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat Do the Sources Say?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth sources connect him to Goguryeo. However, they differ in how they describe the group's origins. The commentary on Our History Net contrasts the following two records.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ea branch of Goryeo\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 『Old Book of Tang』's description of Dae Joyeong's origin\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSource\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDescription of origin\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDistinction to make when interpreting it\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003e『Old Book of Tang』\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Description of origin\"\u003ea branch of Goryeo\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Distinction to make when interpreting it\"\u003eGoryeo here refers to Goguryeo\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Source\"\u003e『New Book of Tang』\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Description of origin\"\u003eof Sumo Mohe origin and subject to Goguryeo\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Distinction to make when interpreting it\"\u003eDescribes both Mohe origins and affiliation with Goguryeo\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-is-the-general-explanation\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-is-the-general-explanation\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat Is the General Explanation?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKorean historical surveys emphasize Balhae's succession to Goguryeo. They also explain the alliance between Goguryeo refugees and Mohe groups that participated in its founding. This is distinct from determining a single lineage for Dae Joyeong as an individual.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAffiliation with Goguryeo and Mohe origins may represent different layers of information. Some groups of Mohe origin were also members of Goguryeo. It is therefore difficult to treat Goguryeo and Mohe people as mutually exclusive categories in every case.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-remains-disputed\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-remains-disputed\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat Remains Disputed?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate centers on the meaning of “branch” and the relationship between the two records. Whether to emphasize political affiliation or group lineage is also at issue. A single phrase should not be used to assign modern ethnic or national categories.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#was-balhae-founded-in-698-or-699\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"was-balhae-founded-in-698-or-699\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWas Balhae Founded in 698 or 699?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe currently accepted year for the founding of Balhae is 698. This is based on a specific chronological record in the 『Ruijū Kokushi』 (類聚國史). The “Balhae” entry in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture also presents this as the established view. \u003ca href=\"https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0021626\"\u003eEntry on Balhae\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date 699 reflects an earlier chronological interpretation. The 『Old Book of Tang』 states that Dae Joyeong became king during the Shengli era. It does not specify a particular year. Research materials from the Northeast Asian History Foundation explain the estimate of 699 based on this wording.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date 699 also appears in older textbooks included on Our History Net. The fact that older textbooks are publicly available online does not mean that they represent the latest view. The difference between the two dates should not be explained simply as a matter of converting between lunar and solar calendars.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDate\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBasis and nature\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTreatment in this article\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Date\"\u003e698\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basis and nature\"\u003eGenerally accepted view based on the record in the 『Ruijū Kokushi』\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Treatment in this article\"\u003eUsed as the primary founding year\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Date\"\u003e699\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basis and nature\"\u003eEarlier interpretation that assigned a specific year within the Shengli era\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Treatment in this article\"\u003eIdentified as an older account\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Date\"\u003eSubstantive founding from 700 onward\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Basis and nature\"\u003eResearch view that distinguishes settlement from state formation\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Treatment in this article\"\u003ePresented separately from the generally accepted view\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoh Tae-don's commentary in the 『Revised History of Korea』 reexamines the meaning of Balhae's founding. It suggests that 698 may be interpreted as the point when leadership was established. It places substantive state formation after the settlement at Dongmo Mountain from 700 onward. This is an individual researcher's interpretation and differs from the generally accepted view. \u003ca href=\"https://contents.history.go.kr/front/nh/print.do?levelId=nh_010_0020_0010_0030\u0026amp;whereStr=\"\u003e“The Eastward Migration and Founding of Dae Joyeong's Group”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-do-timeline-dates-differ-from-the-original-sources\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-do-timeline-dates-differ-from-the-original-sources\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow Do Timeline Dates Differ from the Original Sources?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDates in modern timelines must be distinguished from dates written in the original sources. The Korean History Database places the Battle of Tianmenling in spring 698. The date for the entry is given according to the lunar calendar. It does not provide an exact solar calendar date. \u003ca href=\"https://db.history.go.kr/id/tcko_0698_99_99_0010\"\u003eBattle entry in the “Chronology of Ancient History”\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy contrast, the excerpt from the 『Old Book of Tang』 on Our History Net does not give a year, month, or day for the battle. It describes the battle, the eastward movement, and Dae Joyeong's accession in sequence. Spring 698 should therefore be cited explicitly as a date assigned by a modern timeline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis distinction also matters when recording the history of Balhae as data. The certainty of the founding year and the battle date should not be marked in the same way. Separating the following items reveals the boundary between records and interpretations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvent: Record the Battle of Tianmenling and the founding of Balhae as separate entries.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate: Distinguish the period assigned by a timeline from the wording of the original source.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCertainty: Mark the generally accepted view, individual research views, and unknown information separately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-meaning-of-reading-the-founding-of-balhae-today\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-meaning-of-reading-the-founding-of-balhae-today\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe Meaning of Reading the Founding of Balhae Today\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe founding of Balhae shows that the history after the fall of Goguryeo cannot be explained through Silla alone. The period when Silla and Balhae existed together is called the Northern and Southern States Period. This framework connects the histories of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition of the founding group shows the affiliations that existed within ancient states. Balhae's consciousness of succeeding Goguryeo and the participation of members of Mohe origin should be examined together. Reducing the entire population to a single lineage obscures the society of the time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#is-dae-joyeongs-year-of-birth-known\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"is-dae-joyeongs-year-of-birth-known\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eIs Dae Joyeong's Year of Birth Known?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis year of birth is unknown. Encyclopedias summarizing his life also list his year of birth as unknown. No basis for identifying his exact birthday has been found.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#were-geolgeol-jungsang-and-geolsa-biu-the-same-person\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"were-geolgeol-jungsang-and-geolsa-biu-the-same-person\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWere Geolgeol Jungsang and Geolsa Biu the Same Person?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey were different people. Geolgeol Jungsang is said to have been Dae Joyeong's father. Geolsa Biu was the leader of the Mohe group that traveled with him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#was-the-battle-of-tianmenling-the-same-event-as-the-founding-of-balhae\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"was-the-battle-of-tianmenling-the-same-event-as-the-founding-of-balhae\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWas the Battle of Tianmenling the Same Event as the Founding of Balhae?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe battle and the founding were separate events. The battle was a military clash in which Li Kaigu's pursuing forces were defeated. The founding was the process of establishing royal authority and a political base.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#were-jin-and-balhae-different-countries\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"were-jin-and-balhae-different-countries\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWere Jin and Balhae Different Countries?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are generally described as the earlier and later names of the same state. Jin is recorded as the initial name. Balhae is understood to have been used as the state's name after the investiture of 713.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#did-investiture-as-king-of-balhae-commandery-mean-direct-tang-rule\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"did-investiture-as-king-of-balhae-commandery-mean-direct-tang-rule\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eDid Investiture as King of Balhae Commandery Mean Direct Tang Rule?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe investiture alone cannot be taken to mean direct rule. Investiture was a formal means of granting status within a diplomatic order. The actual governing relationship must be examined together with Balhae's political administration and foreign activities.\u003c/p\u003e\n","tags":["Balhae","Ancient Korean History"],"faqs":[{"question":"When did Dae Joyeong found Balhae?","answer":"The generally accepted year for the founding of Balhae is 698. This is based on the chronological record in the Ruijū Kokushi."},{"question":"Why do some sources give 699 as the year Balhae was founded?","answer":"Earlier accounts interpreted the Old Book of Tang's reference to the Shengli era as a specific year. The year 699 also remains in old textbooks."},{"question":"Why did Dae Joyeong leave Yingzhou?","answer":"Because the Khitan uprising of 696 weakened Tang control over the region. Dae Joyeong's group used this opportunity to break free from Tang rule and move east."},{"question":"Who did Dae Joyeong fight at the Battle of Tianmenling?","answer":"It was the pursuing Tang army led by Li Kaigu. Li Kaigu was a Khitan general who had surrendered to the Tang."},{"question":"What is the key significance of the Battle of Tianmenling?","answer":"It lies in Dae Joyeong's group defeating the pursuing army and preserving the foundation for its survival. This allowed the group to continue moving east and settle there."},{"question":"Was Dae Joyeong Goguryeo or Mohe?","answer":"The Old Book of Tang describes him as belonging to a branch of Goguryeo. The New Book of Tang describes him as Sumo Mohe who were subordinate to Goguryeo. His personal lineage must be distinguished from his affiliation with Goguryeo when reading these accounts."},{"question":"Where is Mount Dongmo located today?","answer":"It is believed to have been in the area of present-day Dunhua, China. One view identifies Chengshanzi Mountain Fortress as the stronghold on Mount Dongmo."},{"question":"Was 713 the year Balhae was founded?","answer":"713 was the year the Tang granted Dae Joyeong the title Prince of Balhae Commandery. It is distinct from 698, the generally accepted year of Balhae's founding."},{"question":"Who were Dae Joyeong's father and successor?","answer":"His father is recorded as Geol Geol Jungsang. After Dae Joyeong died in 719, his son Dae Muye succeeded him as king."},{"question":"Is the exact Gregorian calendar date of the Battle of Tianmenling known?","answer":"The records examined do not give an exact Gregorian calendar date. The Ancient History Chronology in the Korean History Database places it in the spring of 698 based on lunar calendar dates."}],"sources":[{"url":"https://contents.history.go.kr/front/hm/view.do?levelId=hm_030_0010","title":"National Institute of Korean History, Our History Net, Korean History Through Primary Sources, “The Founding of Balhae”","type":"source"},{"url":"https://db.history.go.kr/id/tcko_0698_99_99_0010","title":"National Institute of Korean History, Korean History Database, the entry on the 698 Battle of Tianmenling in the Ancient History Chronology","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://contents.history.go.kr/front/nh/print.do?levelId=nh_010_0020_0010_0030\u0026whereStr=","title":"National Institute of Korean History, New Edition of Korean History, Vol. 10, Noh Tae-don, “The Dae Joyeong Group’s Eastward Migration and Founding of the State”","type":"source"},{"url":"https://contents.history.go.kr/front/nh/print.do?levelId=nh_010_0020_0020\u0026whereStr=","title":"National Institute of Korean History, New Edition of Korean History, Vol. 10, “The Development of Balhae”","type":"source"},{"url":"https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0003841","title":"Academy of Korean Studies, Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, “King Go”","type":"source"},{"url":"https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0021626","title":"Academy of Korean Studies, Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, “Balhae”","type":"source"},{"url":"https://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/ta/view.do?levelId=ta_m11_0040_0010","title":"National Institute of Korean History, Our History Net, accounts of “The Rise and Fall of Balhae” in Korean history textbooks over the years","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.nahf.or.kr/web/portal/file/pdfView/nn/38995_100_83_8187","title":"Northeast Asian History Foundation’s publicly available Balhae history research PDF, explanation regarding the account dating the founding to 699","type":"source"}],"images":[{"id":1442,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MjA4OTAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--cd6537d789a2736ec6b0e51a506450bc16ee778f/ai-534fbbe0.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_semi","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"설산 협곡에서 갑옷 입은 지휘관이 병사들에게 손짓하고 이동 경로 화살표가 표시된 장면","caption":"험준한 산악 지형에서 벌어진 천문령 전투의 전술을 극적으로 재현한 장면이다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Armored commander signaling to soldiers in a snowy mountain pass with tactical arrows","caption":"This dramatized scene evokes the mountain tactics of the Battle of Tianmenling.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"雪山の峡谷で兵士に合図する鎧姿の指揮官と進軍経路を示す矢印","caption":"険しい山岳地帯で展開された天門嶺の戦いの戦術を劇的に表現している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Comandante con armadura guía a soldados por un paso nevado con flechas tácticas","caption":"La escena recrea de forma dramática las tácticas de montaña de la batalla de Tianmenling.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Komandan berzirah memberi isyarat kepada pasukan di celah gunung bersalju dengan panah taktis","caption":"Adegan dramatis ini menggambarkan taktik pegunungan dalam Pertempuran Tianmenling.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Comandante de armadura sinaliza a soldados em desfiladeiro nevado com setas táticas","caption":"A cena dramatiza as táticas de montanha da Batalha de Tianmenling.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"身披鎧甲的指揮官在雪山峽谷中向士兵示意，畫面標有戰術行軍箭頭","caption":"此場景戲劇化呈現天門嶺之戰在險峻山地中的戰術部署。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Gepanzerter Befehlshaber weist Soldaten in einem verschneiten Bergpass an, markiert mit Taktikpfeilen","caption":"Die dramatisierte Szene veranschaulicht die Gebirgstaktik der Schlacht am Tianmenling.","description":null}}},{"id":1443,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MjA4OTcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--77189d3a85c94f45a195db160fdf712d4a7cfa39/ai-29acf6fc.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_semi","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"산악 마을에서 주민들이 나무 기둥과 방책을 세우고 이동 경로가 표시된 역사 재현 장면","caption":"산악 지대에 거점을 세우는 모습은 발해 건국 과정의 이주와 방어를 상징적으로 보여준다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Historical reconstruction of settlers raising timber posts and a palisade in a mountain village, with route arrows","caption":"The building of a mountain stronghold symbolizes the migration and defense efforts behind Balhae’s founding.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"山間の集落で人々が木柱と柵を立て、移動経路の矢印が重ねられた歴史再現場面","caption":"山岳拠点を築く姿が、渤海建国に至る移動と防衛を象徴的に表している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Recreación histórica de pobladores levantando postes y una empalizada en una aldea montañosa, con flechas de ruta","caption":"La construcción de un bastión montañoso simboliza la migración y la defensa ligadas a la fundación de Balhae.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Rekonstruksi sejarah warga mendirikan tiang dan pagar kayu di desa pegunungan, dengan panah rute","caption":"Pembangunan kubu pegunungan melambangkan migrasi dan pertahanan dalam proses berdirinya Balhae.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Reconstituição histórica de colonos erguendo postes e paliçadas numa aldeia montanhosa, com setas de rota","caption":"A construção de um reduto nas montanhas simboliza a migração e a defesa ligadas à fundação de Balhae.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"山區聚落中人們豎立木柱與柵欄，並疊加遷移路線箭頭的歷史重現場景","caption":"興建山地據點的場景象徵渤海建國過程中的遷徙與防禦。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Historische Darstellung von Siedlern beim Bau von Holzpfählen und Palisaden im Bergdorf, mit Routenpfeilen","caption":"Der Bau eines Bergstützpunkts versinnbildlicht Migration und Verteidigung bei der Gründung Balhaes.","description":null}}}],"published_at":"2026-09-21T20:18:58+09:00","updated_at":"2026-09-21T20:18:58+09:00","license":"cc_by","translation_status":"reviewed","available_locales":["ko","en","ja","es"],"data_locales":["ko","en","ja","es","id","pt","zh-hant","de"],"url":"https://injoys.com/en/articles/dae-joyeong-698-balhae-founding-cheonmunryeong"}