Gohanguk

Gohanguk, (Gohangukian 고한국 [hanja 古韓國, "Gohan Country"]; formally Gohan Jeguk [고한제국 hanja 古韓帝國, "Gohan Empire"]), is a country in Northern Archanta. Most of what is known of the country is old information smuggled out by escapees over the years. It is the native country of the Gohangukian people.

Due to its secretive nature, the Gohangukian diaspora is substantial, accounting for more than 30% of the world population of Gohangukians, and comprising up to 15% of the population in some countries that welcome immigraton.

Name
Since the term "Gohangukian" is used elsewhere in this encyclopedia to refer to this thriving exile community, the term "Gohanian" is used throughout this article and related articles for discussing the country itself and its inhabitants - to make clear the distinction between Gohanguk and its diasporic peoples.

Bai invasion and split
In the 13th century, the Bai Empire invaded Choguk. This comes after an exchange of insults between the two nations, prompting the Bai emperor to invade the country. While the Bai is able to conquer a part of Choguk, it failed to totally overthrow the Choguk Royal Court. The war ended in a stalemate; Bai managed to take over a region it later calls Chaobian (Chobyon in Gohangukian), while the Royal Court retains its control over Choguk. After the war, the country renamed itself Gohanguk.

Contact With World Powers and Edict of Closure
In the 19th century, after repeated attempts to take control of its ports, the Emperor took extreme action by implementing the Edict of Closure (폐쇄 칙령 pyeswae chiglyeong). Before its closure, the Gohangukian Empire withdrew its envoys around the world overnight and began preparations for the construction of the border wall which was erected right after the closure. Foreign merchants of non-Gohanguk origin were encouraged to leave the empire. On 2 February 1823 at noon, on Lunar New Year, the edict was implemented, effectively starting the empire's isolation era.

History Since Closure
After the Edict of Closure, little has been known about the empire. According to defectors and spies, the emperor has died a few years after the implementation of the edict. The border between Bai and Gohanguk remained closed, and a wall was erected preventing those from Bai to enter and none out. The emperor's sons, however, were forced out of the empire soon after his death, and the emperor was made 'Eternal Monarch', as according to the will made by the emperor, his sons were 'incompetent' to lead the kingdom after his death. The duties of the emperor were carried out by the Regency since then.

In the 20th century, during the regional war, the Bai fascists attempted to contact the empire to join their side and helped them to take over the Bai Socialists. The Gohangukian Empire, however, replied with a short message 'Sitting this one out'. This is the last official message sent to another country or entity. The Bai fascists have made plans to invade the empire but such plans have never been carried out when it lost.

"Necromonarchy"
The last known living emperor of Gohanguk is supposed to have lived about 200 years ago, soon after the edict of closure. The last emperor's embalmed body, according to a few defectors, is in a glass case and attends all meetings of the regency board and the Supreme Policy Committee. The Ha family, a dynasty of competing claimants to the throne, lived in the Palaces of the Exiles in the Ardisphere through most of the 19th century, but the last claimant was assassinated in 1901 (presumeably by a Gohanian agent), and the remaining members of the family formally renounced their claim to ever reoccupy Haengbokgung (the imperial palace in Hanseong).

Regency
The regent holds uncontested power, and the position is unofficially hereditary. Members of the Hong family have held the regency for over 100 years.

Foreign Relations
Gohanguk officially does not believe in diplomacy, and hence does not establish foreign relations or participate in world organizations or world events. The borders are closed. Nevertheless, in the case of a crisis that may threaten Gohanguk sovereignty, especially during the regional war, occasionally it will send a direct message to an envoy stationed at the border which reports to the Bai monarchy. Otherwise, it is known to ignore all messages addressed to the empire.

According to the Edict of Closure, no planes are allowed to enter Gohanguk's airspace. A few incidences have occured as a result of violating its airspace, especially the disappearance of Bai Airways Flight 808 in 2014 which flown across Gohanguk. The passengers and crew on the flight have never returned, and are believed to be held in the empire.

Military
Gohanguk was rumoured to maintain a small arsenal of nuclear weapons to discourage other countries in the world to invade or force the opening of the country. This has never been confirmed, though the Bai Empire confirmed a deposit of uranium in the border region. According to reports, the conventional military is mostly occupied with securing the borders and with downing overflying aircraft and satellites. The military also seems to have a major role in internal population control, supplanting any civilian police forces. The sitting regent is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.

= Economy =

= Demographics =

Religion
Officially, religion is illegal. However, it is clear that the state, the symbol of the "undying emperor," and associated apparatus, serve a kind of quasi-religious role within the society.

Healthcare
= Transportation and Infrastructure =

Highways and Roads
= Culture =

Cuisine
It is said that Gohanians will eat anything. This may have more to do with chronic malnutrion than culinary adventurism. One escapee, who became a chef in Khaiwoon, claimed to be producing "authentic Gohanian cuisine" which was revealed to be little more than boiled tree bark and insects, with a lot of hot sauce slathered on.

Sports
Some evidence seems to indicate that organized sports are prohibited in Gohanguk. One escapee says that military drills, even for children, supplant the role of sports in other countries.

= See Also =