Abstract

Silla dispatched Baek-uh (伯魚) to Balhae in March 790. To date, discussions on why Silla sent an envoy are divided. In general, the focus is on Silla’s unstable internal affairs and changes in the international situation. The present study examines whether Silla was diplomatically isolated in the early days of King Wonseong. Subsequently, attention is paid to the trends of the Kim Ju-won (金周元) forces and the situation in the north side of Silla. Upon the death of King Seondeok (宣德王), Kim Kyung-shin (金敬信) won a dispute with Kim Ju-won to succeed the throne. However, the situation King Wonseong faced was not easy. Frequent disasters and extraordinary events had unsettled the public. Externally, Balhae’s King Mun (文王) was already senile. Furthermore, the capital was moved to the east. Silla was forced to pay attention to the direction of Balhae. Kim Joo-won’s presence in Gangneung (江陵) served as an anxiety factor that could be linked to Balhae at any time. Moreover, Silla seems to have sent an envoy to Balhae in consideration of this situation. On the other hand, the late Silla period is the time when the flow of self-reliance toward the Tang is observed. A trend seems to have existed within Silla to recognize Balhae as a new diplomatic partner. Therefore, the present study argues that 790 represented a new starting point for the Balhae relationship with Silla.