A Reconsideration of the Account of the Lelang Kingdom (樂浪國) in Samguk Sagi

Abstract

This paper examines the account of the “Lelang Kingdom” presented in Samguk Sagi, a subject of considerable interest in previous studies regarding the Lelang Commandery's location and its governance over the indigenous population. Many studies have suggested that this kingdom was modeled after an indigenous polity in the first century AD. However, even if the record reflects certain historical events from that period, it remains necessary to explain why this indigenous polity was referred to as ‘Lelang’ and equated with the commandery in Samguk Sagi.To address this issue, it is necessary to reinterpret this record from the perspective that it implies Chinese cultural influx from the commandery and the resulting cultural changes in the region, as suggested by recent studies. After its establishment, significant cultural influences from the Han Empire and commandery flowed into the area. Through this process, it is possible that some indigenous inhabitants adopted Chinese culture and self-identified as residents of “Lelang.” The Lelang Kingdom, therefore, represents one of the entities that experienced such cultural changes, leading to the emergence of a polity referred to as ‘Lelang’ in the Samguk Sagi.