Reign

The years of Pyeongwon's rule are generally agreed upon by historians, but his year of birth has not been established with any degree of certainty. It is known that he was the eldest son of Yangwon of Goguryeo and became crown prince in 557, two years before assuming full power. He is said to have been courageous, and skilled in horseriding and archery.

By this time, royal power had been significantly eroded by the aristocracy. Concerned for the people, he encouraged agricultural and sericultural developments and reduced the royal cuisine.

He maintained tense but relatively peaceful relations with the Göktürks and the various Chinese dynasties, briefly battling the Northern Zhou at the Liaodong Peninsula in 577. He frequently sent tributes to the Chen dynasty, Northern Qi, Northern Zhou and Sui dynasty. As the Sui dynasty united China, King Pyeongwon prepared for the impending war.

The southern border with the other two Korean kingdoms was relatively peaceful as the Silla-Baekje alliance fell apart. In 586, he moved the capital to Jangan fortress.

In 590 (the 32nd year of his reign), the king received news that the state of Chen had fallen and was greatly alarmed. For defensive purposes he ordered troops into training and the augmentation of military provisions.

The rule of Pyeongwon came to an end in 590, which is the year of his death according to the Samguk sagi, but there is no specific documentation to confirm the circumstances.

He was given the posthumous royal title of King Pyeongwon.

Family

• Father: King Yangwon

　• Grandfather: King Anwon

　• Grandmother: Middle Lady

• Unknown wife

　• Daughter: Princess Pyeonggang – married On Dal.

　• 1st son: Prince Won

　• 2nd son: Prince Geonmu

　• 3rd son: Prince Daeyang; father of King Bojang.

相關冊封

• 560年，北齊廢帝冊封平原王使持節領護東夷校尉、遼東郡公、高麗王。

• 562年，陳文帝授平原王寧東將軍。

• 577年，北周高祖封平原王為開府儀同三司大將軍、遼東郡開國公、遼東王。

• 580年，隋文帝即位時，封平原王為高麗王（高句麗王）。

家庭

子女

• 子

　• 嬰陽王高元

　• 榮留王高建武

　• 大陽王高某

• 女

　• 平岡公主高氏，嫁溫達