Chaekgye of Baekje


Chaekgye of Baekje was the ninth king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Background

He was the eldest son of King Goi. He became king upon Goi's death in 286 which was the 53rd year of his reign. The Samguk Sagi records that "his stature was tall and great, and he was spirited and heroic".

Reign

His wife, whose name is recorded as Bogwa, was a daughter of the governor of Daifang commandery. This marital alliance contributed to friction between the northern Korean kingdom Goguryeo and Baekje, after Goguryeo attacked Daifang in 286 and Chaekgye sent troops to Daifang's aid. Chaekgye fortified the Wiryeseong, Acha Mountain Fortress and Sa-seong to defend the Han River valley against expected retaliation.
In 298, Baekje was invaded by Maek-in and the Lelang commandery, and Chaekgye was killed.
Samguk Sagi:
"The King conscribed adult males to repair the fortress of Wirye. Goguryeo attacked Daifang. Daifang sought help from us. Previously, the king had married the daughter of the Daifang, Bogwa, and made her his concubine. Therefore he said, "Daifang is the country of my relatives, how can I not hearken this summons?" Then he led a force out to rescue them. Goguryeo resented this, and the king feared a reprisal attack, and so had the fortresses of Acha and Saseong repaired and provisioned."