Three Kingdoms

A general term for the Han people who lived in the southern part of the ancient Korean peninsula. In the mid-3rd century, the country was divided into Mahan (over 50 countries), Jinhan (12 countries), and Byeonjin (12 countries, also called Byeonhan), each of which was a coalition of small countries. In the 4th century, with the fall of Lelang and Daifang commanderies in northern Korea, the Three Han countries started to unify, with Baekje at the core of the Mahan region to form Baekje, and Jinhan was unified by Silla to form Silla. However, the Byeonjin region was called the Kara countries, and the state of division into small countries continued. In later generations, "Three Han" was also used as a synonym for Korea.

[Lee Sung-si]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代朝鮮の半島南部に住んだ韓族の総称。3世紀中ごろには、馬韓(ばかん)（50余国）、辰(しん)韓（12国）、弁辰(べんしん)（12国、弁韓ともいう）に分かれ、それぞれが小国の連合体をなしていた。4世紀に入り、朝鮮北部の楽浪(らくろう)、帯方(たいほう)郡の滅亡を契機に、三韓諸国は統合に向かい、馬韓の地は伯済(はくさい)国を中核に百済(くだら)を建て、辰韓は斯盧(しろ)国によって統合され新羅(しらぎ)となった。しかし弁辰の地は加羅(から)諸国とよばれ、小国の分立状態が続いた。なお「三韓」は後世、朝鮮の代名詞としても用いられた。

［李　成　市］

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