Brief Korean History

The first kingdom on the Korean peninsula, Ko-choson, was formed in 2333 BC. From 57 BC-668 AD the kingdoms Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla ruled the Korean peninsula and much of Manchuria. Hence, the period is known as the Three Kingdoms Period.

Koguryo and Paekche were ultimately vanquished by Shilla in 676 AD, Shilla unified the peninsula. The Unified Shilla Period, 676-935 AD, was a golden age for Korean culture. The advancements of the area in Buddhist arts are especially noteworthy.

During the succeeding Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD) an aristocratic government was instituted. Buddhism was established as the state religion and came to have great influence in the political and administrative spheres. The name 'Korea' is actually derived from 'Koryo'. The last dynasty on the peninsula, The Choson Dynasty (1392-1910 AD), was the peninsula's last dynasty. During this period various political and economic reforms were enacted. The most prominent of these was the adaptation of Confucianism as the state ideology. The surge of creative literary endeavors and the invention of Han-gul (the Korean alphabet) in 1443 only adds to the cultural significance this period had.

Hanyang, now known as Seoul, was established as the dynasty's capital city in 1394. Palaces and other buildings erected during this period can still be seen in the city today. The Japanese invasion of the peninsula in 1910 ended the Choson Dynasty. Korea remained under Japanese colonial rule for 35 years until the end of World War II. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies and withdrew from the Korean peninsula. Since then, it has been divided into two.

The Republic of Korea in the south established an independent government three years later. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. An armistice agreement was signed in 1953, after 3 years of civil war.






from: http://ezmeditour.com/