Ungjin

Ungjin, the capital of the Baekje kingdom from around 475 to 538 CE, refers to the city center established at the site of present-day Gongju in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. The name and location are tied to Baekje’s mid–late period, when the kingdom shifted its seat from Wiryeseong near modern Seoul to a more defensible inland site.

The move to Ungjin occurred in the late 5th century as Baekje sought a more secure administrative and military position in the face of Goguryeo pressure. During the Ungjin period, the city functioned as the royal seat and central hub for governance, diplomacy, and religious activity. The era saw the construction of fortifications and urban buildings designed to consolidate royal authority and regional control. In 538 CE, Baekje moved its capital again, this time to Sabi (in present-day Buyeo), marking the end of the Ungjin phase and the beginning of the Sabi period.

Today, Ungjin is remembered for its archaeological remains, including the large fortress complexes around Gongju such as Gongsanseong, as well as royal tombs and temples associated with Baekje’s Ungjin era. The site and related Baekje-era remains contribute to the Baekje Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2015, which preserves insights into Baekje administration, architecture, and culture during this period.