At its height, all roads led to Kaegyong, the imperial capital of the Goryeo empire, or Koryo, as it is known in North Korea. Protected by a vast fortress system with no fewer than 25 gates, the city welcomed officials, merchants, pilgrims, diplomats and foreign envoys from across Asia on their way to the imperial palace. On April 18, 2026, I stood before the monumental granite staircases of Manwoldae, the imperial palace of the Goryeo empire in present-day Kaesong. Although the timber halls had