How did Wiman become ruler of Gojoseon?

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Map of the Korean Peninsula highlighted in orange, showing North Korea in the north and South Korea in the south. The peninsula is bordered by China and Russia to the north, the Yellow Sea to the west, the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east, and Japan across the sea to the southeast. A small inset globe at the top left shows the peninsula's location in East Asia. — Korea Map of the Korean Peninsula, indicating northern and southern regions.

Wiman, a figure who flourished around 190 BCE, became the ruler of Gojoseon by taking advantage of the political instability surrounding the founding of the Han dynasty in China.12

While historical accounts often describe Wiman as a Chinese general or a defector from China, some scholars suggest it is more likely that he was indigenous to the Korean region. Upon usurping the throne around 194 BCE, he relocated the capital to the site of present-day P’yŏngyang along the Taedong River. From this position, he exerted control over the Korean-Manchurian border and expanded his influence further down the Korean Peninsula.12