Baekje, its influence not limited to the Korean peninsula, had become a dominant power in East Asia, after defeating Goguryeo in 371.

This state's King Geunchogo (r. 346-375) had seized several coastal cities of China, notably in Liaoxi and Shandong, to retain its superiority over Goguryeo and a variety of southern Chinese dynasties, which had arisen within the context of extended civil wars caused by the fall of the Han Dynasty in 220 CE and the concomitant invasions of foreign tribes, including but not limited to the Xiongnu and Xianbei (Wu Hu).

Baekje under Geunchogo's leadership also seems to have had a close relationship with parts of Japan and has established good relations with that archipelago's natives.