Gorkon was leader of the Klingon High Council in the late 23rd century, during a crisis which pushed the Klingon Empire to seek peace with the United Federation of Planets. Gorkon established diplomatic communications with Ambassador Spock, who arranged for a conference to discuss the terms of the treaty.

Gorkon was met by Captain Kirk, who was to escort the Chancellor through Federation space to the meeting on Earth. Kirk invited Gorkon and his entourage to dine aboard the Enterprise-A, where Gorkon revealed to Kirk that if there is to be a new peace, then their "generation will have the hardest time living in it."

Following the dinner, Gorkon was assassinated by dissidents who wished to stop the peace initiative. In an unprecedented move, Gorkon's daughter, Aztbur, continued the peace talks in her father's place.