It was centered in present-day Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Legend indicates that it was founded by a King Taejo, to whom a tomb on Obong Mountain in Hamchang-eup, Sangju, is attributed.

For this reason, Goryeong Gaya did not participate in the Baekje-Daegaya offensive against Silla in 538.

According to both the Samguk Sagi and the Japanese chronicle Nihon Shoki, Goryeong Gaya fell to Silla in 562.

The members of today's Hamchang Kim lineage trace their origins to the kings of Goryeong Gaya.