Little Goguryeo
Little Goguryeo is the name of a state thought to have existed on the Liaodong Peninsula, proposed by the Japanese scholar Kaizaburo Hino. The existence of the state is debated among scholars. The name of gaoli was mentioned in contemporary historical records, with its leaders recorded as Governors-General subject to the Tang dynasty in the documents of the Tang government. It was supposedly established by the refugees of Goguryeo after its defeat by the Tang dynasty.
Following Goguryeo's defeat by the Tang–Silla alliance, the Liaodong Peninsula was administered by the Tang dynasty. The theory is that the Tang dynasty eventually lost effective control of the region due to rebellions staged by Goguryeo refugees, and Liaodong became a buffer zone between the Tang dynasty and Balhae. Although Lesser Goguryeo declared itself an independent kingdom, it was soon absorbed into Balhae.
Establishment
In 699, the Tang government sent former Goguryeo prince Ko Tŏngmu, the third son of Goguryeo's last ruler, King Bojang, to Liaodong Peninsula, naming him "King of Chaoxian" and Governor of the Yodong Commandery of the Protectorate General to Pacify the East. Like his father, Ko Tŏngmu had plans to rebel against the Tang, to revive Goguryeo and to provide a kingdom for the Goguryeo people.The Tang Empire at the time was undergoing several crises, especially the An Lushan Rebellion. Along with these major events was also the pressure given by the Empire of Balhae. These and many other pressures allowed Ko Tŏngmu to take full control of the Protectorate General to Pacify the East and allegedly to establish a kingdom.
The Lesser Goguryeo kingdom was established during that year with Ko Tŏngmu as its first king. Very little is known about how the neighboring kingdoms reacted to the establishment of Lesser Goguryeo. It is known that Balhae was on good terms with Lesser Goguryeo with respect to the similar purposes that the two kingdoms possessed.