Little Goguryeo

Little Goguryeo (Korean: 소고구려; Chinese: 小高句麗; alternatively Lesser Goguryeo) is the name of a state thought to have existed on the Liaodong Peninsula, proposed by the Japanese scholar Kaizaburo Hino (ja:日野開三郎). The existence of the state is debated among scholars. The state was mentioned in 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 (Bohai). Although Lesser Goguryeo declared itself an independent kingdom, it was soon absorbed into Balhae.