Four Commanderies of Han

Quick Facts: Who was Four Commanderies of Han?

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Four Commanderies of Han

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Chinese administrative units controlling the populace in ancient northern Korean territories.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Four Commanderies of Han (Chinese: 漢四郡; pinyin: Hàn-sìjùn; Korean: 한사군; Hanja: 漢四郡; RR: Han-sagun) were Chinese commanderies located in the north of the Korean Peninsula and part of the Liaodong Peninsula from around the end of the second century BCE through the early 4th CE, for the longest lasting. The commanderies were set up to control the populace in the former areas of Old Chosŏn (Gojoseon) as far south as the Han River, with a core area at Lelang near present-day Pyongyang by Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty in early 2nd century BCE after his conquest of Wiman Chosŏn. As such, these commanderies are seen as Chinese colonies by some scholars. Though disputed by North Korean scholars, Western sources generally describe the Lelang Commandery as existing within the Korean peninsula, and extend the rule of the four commanderies as far south as the Han River. However, South Korean scholars assumed its administrative areas to Pyongan and Hwanghae provinces.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Three of the commanderies fell or retreated westward within a few decades, but the Lelang Commandery remained as a center of cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties for four centuries. At its administrative center in Lelang, the Chinese built what was in essence a Chinese city where the governor, officials, and merchants, and Chinese colonists lived. Their administration had considerable impact on the life of the native population and ultimately the very fabric of Old Chosŏn society became eroded. Later, Goguryeo, founded in 37 BCE, began conquering the commanderies and eventually absorbed them into its own territory by the early 4th century CE. Before the fall of Old Chosŏn, a single commandery, called Canghai Commandery, covered an area in northern Korean Peninsula to southern Manchuria.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Nan Lü (Hanja: 南閭), who was a monarch of Dongye and a subject of Wiman Chosŏn, revolted against Ugeo of Gojoseon and then surrendered to the Han dynasty with 280,000 people. The commandery was established following this revolt, however in two years, it was abolished by Gongsun Hong. Lelang Commandery (樂浪郡, 낙랑군/락랑군, 108 BCE–313 CE): 25 prefectures, 62,812 households, population of 406,748 in 2 CE. Lintun Commandery (臨屯郡, 임둔군, 107–82 BCE): absorbed into Xuantu. Xuantu Commandery (玄菟郡, 현도군, 107 BCE–319 CE): 3 prefectures, 45,006 households, population of 221,845 in 2 CE.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Four Commanderies of Han

True or False: “The Lelang Commandery remained an isolated Chinese outpost with no cultural exchange for four centuries.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Lelang Commandery was a center of significant cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties throughout its existence.

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