The Samguk Sagi records many battles against the "Malgal" during Daru's reign. It is unclear who this refers to, as the Mohe tribes are thought to have occupied Manchuria northwest of the northern Korean kingdom Goguryeo, far from Baekje's capital (generally presumed to have been in the present-day Seoul region). The "Malgal" do not appear to refer to the Buyeo people that founded Baekje, nor to the Mahan confederacy tribes subjugated by Baekje. They appear to have remained from the earlier period, incited by Chinese commanderies to attack Baekje. The battles indicate that Baekje as a new power was still expanding its control of the central Korean Peninsula.
