Politics of Gojoseon
Unlike other barbaric civilizations, we in Gojoseon follow a complex political system. The prime source of political power in Gojoseon is the king, who has a personally connection with the heavens. This connection can be seen with the first king of Gojoseon, Dangun Wanggeom (단군왕검), the grandson of heaven. Descended from a holy union between Hwanung and a bear-woman, Dangun Wanggeom is attributed to the creation of the various laws, arts, medicine, and agriculture of Gojoseon. His final gift to the people of Gojoseon was the creation of the capital Asadal (아사달). Thus, our wonderful society is ruled by a theocracy.
Gojoseon is also run by the Oga (오가), which translates into 5 ministers. The Dotga is the minister of the eastern area, the Gaega is the minister of the western area, the Soga is the minster of southern area, the Malga is the minister of the northern area, and the Shinga is the supreme minister among the Five Ministers. Both the Oga and the King work together to ensure the well being of the Korean people, even in far out northern Manchuria.
Gojoseon also has a very strict set of laws comprised of eight clauses. Only three of these eight laws are known today. For example:
- A person who has killed someone shall be put to death
- A person who has injured someone shall be pay back in grains to the injured person
- A slave who has stolen property of others shall pay 50,000 jun if they do not want to be the slave of that person
Our villages eventually grew into walled town-states. As these became more politically complex, they evolved into the later Gogureyo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms. This became what is commonly referred to as the "Three Kingdoms Period".
-Alan Z.