The Gaya confederacy cannot risk the hostility of either Baekje or Silla (two of the Three Kingdoms of Korea that dominated the peninsula, the third being Goguryeo).

By the sixth century, Ara Gaya has put a great deal of effort into pursuing a diplomatic solution for maintaining its independence, including hosting summits between Baekje, Silla and Yamato-Wa.

The Gaya confederacy had been greatly weakened as northwestern Gaya states fell under the influence of Baekje and southeastern states fell under Silla's influence.

Ara Gaya had sought to maintain its independence by allying itself with Goguryeo, and then asked Goguryeo to invade Baekje in 548.

This attempt to weaken Baekje's sphere of influence failed with Goguryeo’s unsuccessful campaign.

Silla had defeated Baekje in war in 553 and occupied the Gyeonggi area (the Han River basin), breaking its hundred and twenty-year alliance with Baekje.

Having started incorporating the parts of Gaya already under its sphere of influence, Silla also invades the rest of Gaya to eliminate Baekje's sphere of influence there.

Ara Gaya capitulates to Silla in 559.