LingoLabKorean

재미있는 한국어jaemiinneun hangugeo

Fun Korean

Hangul, life in Korea, travel, history and short lessons.

Oldest at the top. Dates before the Common Era follow the traditional chronology.

  1. Gojoseon고조선2333 BCE (traditional) – 108 BCEThe first Korean kingdom, remembered through the founding story of Dangun.
    Founder
    Dangun Wanggeom (according to the founding legend)
    Capital
    Asadal (legend); later Wanggeom-seong, believed to be near today's Pyongyang

    Highlight · Founding legend · traditionally 2333 BCE

    The founding myth of Dangun

    • This is Korea's founding myth, a legend rather than a historical record. It is preserved in Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), compiled by the Buddhist monk Iryeon in the 13th century.
    • Hwanung, son of the heavenly ruler Hwanin, came down to Mount Taebaek with 3,000 followers to rule the human world.
    • A bear and a tiger prayed to become human. Hwanung gave them a bundle of mugwort and 20 cloves of garlic and told them to stay out of the sunlight in a cave for 100 days.
    • The tiger gave up, but after 21 days the bear became a woman, Ungnyeo ('bear woman').
    • Ungnyeo married Hwanung and gave birth to Dangun Wanggeom, who founded Gojoseon, traditionally in 2333 BCE.
    • Korea remembers the founding every October 3 on National Foundation Day, Gaecheonjeol ('the day the heavens opened').

    Key events

    • 2333 BCETraditional founding date of Gojoseon, taken from the Dangun legend.
    • Bronze AgeDolmens and mandolin-shaped bronze daggers mark Gojoseon's culture across Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula.
    • c. 194 BCEWiman takes the throne; the kingdom grows strong on iron culture and trade.
    • LawA code of eight laws is recorded; three survive, covering murder, injury and theft.
    • 108 BCEGojoseon falls to the Han dynasty of China.

    See it today

    • Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (UNESCO) · Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do and Incheon
    • Chamseongdan Altar on Manisan, said to have been built by Dangun · Ganghwa Island, Incheon
  2. Three Kingdoms period삼국 시대1st century BCE – 668 CEGoguryeo, Baekje and Silla compete for the peninsula, with the Gaya states in the south.

    Founding dates are the traditional ones from Samguk Sagi (1145).

    Goguryeo고구려37 BCE (traditional) – 668

    Founder
    Jumong (King Dongmyeong)
    Capital
    Jolbon → Gungnae-seong → Pyongyang (from 427)
    • 391–413King Gwanggaeto the Great expands the kingdom deep into Manchuria.
    • 414The Gwanggaeto Stele is raised, recording his deeds.
    • 427King Jangsu moves the capital to Pyongyang.
    • 612General Eulji Mundeok defeats a huge Sui army at the Battle of Salsu.
    • 668Goguryeo falls to the allied forces of Silla and Tang China.

    See it today

    • Goguryeo Stele of Chungju, the only Goguryeo stele in South Korea · Chungju
    • Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (UNESCO), with the Gwanggaeto Stele · Ji'an, China

    Baekje백제18 BCE (traditional) – 660

    Founder
    Onjo
    Capital
    Wiryeseong (Seoul) → Ungjin (Gongju, 475) → Sabi (Buyeo, 538)
    • 4th c.Under King Geunchogo, Baekje reaches its greatest extent.
    • 384Buddhism arrives; Baekje later passes Buddhism, writing and crafts on to Japan.
    • 475After losing the Han River area to Goguryeo, the capital moves to Ungjin.
    • 660General Gyebaek falls at Hwangsanbeol, and Baekje falls to Silla and Tang.

    See it today

    • Baekje Historic Areas (UNESCO): Gongsanseong Fortress and the Tomb of King Muryeong · Gongju
    • Baekje Historic Areas: Busosanseong Fortress and Jeongnimsa Temple Site · Buyeo
    • Pungnaptoseong and Mongchontoseong earthen walls (Hanseong Baekje Museum) · Seoul

    Silla신라57 BCE (traditional) – 935

    Founder
    Bak Hyeokgeose
    Capital
    Seorabeol (Gyeongju)
    • 512General Isabu brings Usan-guk, the island state of Ulleungdo, under Silla.
    • 527Buddhism is officially recognised after the martyrdom of Ichadon.
    • 6th c.King Jinheung expands Silla to the Han River; the Hwarang youth corps flourishes.
    • 7th c.Queen Seondeok's reign; the Cheomseongdae observatory is built.
    • 668–676Allied with Tang, Silla defeats Baekje and Goguryeo, then drives Tang forces out.

    See it today

    • Gyeongju Historic Areas (UNESCO): royal tombs of Daereungwon and Cheomseongdae · Gyeongju

    Gaya confederacy가야42 CE (traditional) – 562

    Founder
    Kim Suro (Geumgwan Gaya, according to legend)
    Capital
    A league of states; leading centres at Gimhae (Geumgwan Gaya) and Goryeong (Daegaya)
    • 1st–6th c.Gaya states along the Nakdong River grow rich on iron, exported to Japan and Lelang.
    • 532Geumgwan Gaya joins Silla.
    • 6th c.The gayageum zither is made in Gaya; the musician Ureuk later takes its music to Silla.
    • 562Daegaya falls to Silla, ending Gaya.

    See it today

    • Gaya Tumuli (UNESCO): Daeseong-dong Tombs; also the Royal Tomb of King Suro · Gimhae
    • Gaya Tumuli: Jisan-dong Tombs · Goryeong
  3. North-South States period남북국 시대676 / 698 – 935Unified Silla in the south and Balhae, Goguryeo's successor, in the north.

    Unified Silla (south)통일 신라676 – 935

    Capital
    Gyeongju
    • 676Tang forces leave the peninsula; Silla rules the land south of the Taedong River.
    • 751Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto are begun.
    • 771The Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok is cast.
    • 828Jang Bogo sets up the Cheonghaejin base and leads sea trade with China and Japan.

    See it today

    • Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO) · Gyeongju
    • Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok, Gyeongju National Museum · Gyeongju

    Balhae (north)발해698 – 926

    Founded by Goguryeo people and the Malgal after Goguryeo's fall, Balhae saw itself as Goguryeo's successor.

    Founder
    Dae Jo-yeong (King Go), a former Goguryeo general
    Capital
    Dongmosan, later Sanggyeong (the Upper Capital), in today's Northeast China
    • 698Dae Jo-yeong founds the kingdom near Mount Dongmo.
    • 8th c.In letters to Japan, King Mun calls himself the King of Goryeo (Goguryeo).
    • 9th c.At its height under King Seon, China calls it Haedong Seongguk, 'the flourishing land in the East'.
    • 926Balhae falls to the Khitan; many of its people move to Goryeo.

    See it today

    • Balhae gallery, National Museum of Korea · Seoul
    • Site of Sanggyeong, the Upper Capital · Ning'an, Heilongjiang, China
  4. Later Three Kingdoms후삼국 시대c. 900 – 936As Silla weakens, Hubaekje and Hugoguryeo rise, until Goryeo reunites the land.

    Hubaekje (Later Baekje)후백제900 – 936

    Founder
    Gyeon Hwon
    Capital
    Wansanju (Jeonju)
    • 927Hubaekje raids Gyeongju and defeats Wang Geon at the Battle of Gongsan.
    • 936Hubaekje falls to Goryeo.

    Hugoguryeo (Later Goguryeo), later Taebong후고구려 · 태봉901 – 918

    Founder
    Gung Ye
    Capital
    Songak (Kaesong), then Cheorwon (from 905)
    • 904 / 911The country is renamed Majin, then Taebong.
    • 918Gung Ye's generals replace him with Wang Geon, who founds Goryeo.

    Silla신라until 935

    Capital
    Gyeongju
    • 935King Gyeongsun, the last king of Silla, hands the kingdom over to Goryeo peacefully.

    How it ended

    • 930Goryeo wins the Battle of Gochang (Andong).
    • 936Goryeo defeats Hubaekje and reunites the Later Three Kingdoms.

    See it today

    • Palgongsan, where the Battle of Gongsan was fought · Daegu
  5. Goryeo고려918 – 1392The dynasty that gave Korea its English name, known for celadon, Buddhism and early printing.
    Founder
    Wang Geon (King Taejo)
    Capital
    Gaegyeong (Kaesong)

    Highlight · 1377

    Jikji and metal movable type

    • Jikji (Jikji Simche Yojeol), a collection of Buddhist teachings, was printed in 1377 at Heungdeoksa Temple in Cheongju.
    • It is the world's oldest surviving book printed with movable metal type, about 78 years before Gutenberg's Bible (c. 1455).
    • Records say Goryeo printed with metal type even earlier: a book of rites, Sangjeong Gogeum Yemun, around 1234. No copy of it survives.
    • UNESCO added Jikji to its Memory of the World Register in 2001.
    • Where it is today. Only the second of its two volumes survives. Victor Collin de Plancy, a French diplomat serving in Seoul in the late 19th century, acquired it and took it to France. It passed to the National Library of France (BnF) in Paris, which has kept it since the 1950s.
    • In 1972 Park Byeong-seon, a Korean scholar working at the library, identified it as the oldest surviving book printed with metal type. It has not returned to Korea since it left.
    • In 2023 the BnF put Jikji on public display for the first time in about 50 years, in its exhibition on printing in Gutenberg's Europe.

    Key events

    • 993–1019Khitan invasions: Seo Hui wins back land through talks, and Gang Gam-chan wins at Gwiju (1019).
    • 12th c.Goryeo celadon, with its jade-green glaze and inlaid designs, reaches its peak.
    • 1231–1270Mongol invasions; the court moves to Ganghwa Island and later makes peace with the Yuan.
    • 1236–1251The Tripitaka Koreana, Buddhist scriptures on more than 80,000 woodblocks, is carved.

    See it today

    • Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, home of the Tripitaka Koreana (UNESCO) · Hapcheon
    • Goryeo celadon at the National Museum of Korea · Seoul
    • Cheongju Early Printing Museum, beside the Heungdeoksa Temple site where Jikji was printed · Cheongju
  6. Joseon조선1392 – 1897Five centuries of a Confucian kingdom, the age of Hangul and of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
    Founder
    Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo)
    Capital
    Hanyang (Seoul), from 1394

    Highlight · 1443 created · 1446 proclaimed

    King Sejong creates Hangul

    • King Sejong the Great created a new alphabet so that ordinary people could read and write.
    • He proclaimed it in 1446 as Hunminjeongeum, 'the correct sounds for teaching the people'.
    • Korea celebrates Hangul Day every year on October 9.
    See how Hangul letters build words →

    Highlight · 1592 – 1598

    Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the Imjin War

    • When Japan invaded in 1592, Admiral Yi led Joseon's navy with armoured turtle ships (geobukseon); he is said never to have lost a sea battle.
    • Battle of Hansan Island (1592): his crane-wing formation destroyed a large Japanese fleet.
    • Battle of Myeongnyang (1597): with only 13 ships he defeated a fleet of over 130.
    • Battle of Noryang (1598): he was killed in the final battle of the war.

    Key events

    • 1394The capital moves to Hanyang; Gyeongbokgung Palace is completed in 1395.
    • 1627, 1636Invasions by the Later Jin and Qing; King Injo surrenders to the Qing in 1637.
    • 18th c.Kings Yeongjo and Jeongjo lead a cultural revival; Hwaseong Fortress is finished in 1796.
    • 1876The Treaty of Ganghwa opens Korean ports to Japan, and soon to the West.

    See it today

    • Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO) · Seoul
    • Jongmyo Shrine (UNESCO) · Seoul
    • Hwaseong Fortress (UNESCO) · Suwon
  7. Korean Empire대한 제국1897 – 1910Joseon becomes an empire and tries to modernise, until Japan takes control.
    Founder
    Emperor Gojong
    Capital
    Hanseong (Seoul)

    Key events

    • 1897Gojong proclaims the Korean Empire at the Hwangudan altar and starts the Gwangmu reforms.
    • 1900Imperial Ordinance No. 41 places Ulleungdo and Seokdo (Dokdo) under Uldo County.
    • 1905Under the Eulsa Treaty, Japan takes over Korea's diplomatic rights.
    • 1907Gojong sends envoys to The Hague to protest, and is forced to abdicate.
    • 1909–1910Ahn Jung-geun shoots Ito Hirobumi in Harbin (1909); Japan annexes Korea (1910).

    See it today

    • Deoksugung Palace and its Seokjojeon Hall · Seoul
    • Hwangudan Altar · Seoul (near City Hall)
  8. Japanese colonial period일제 강점기1910 – 1945Thirty-five years of Japanese rule, met by a determined independence movement at home and abroad, until liberation.
    Capital
    Gyeongseong (Seoul), seat of the Japanese Government-General

    Highlight · 1919 – 1945

    The Korean independence movement

    • 1919 · March 1st Movement. The Korean Declaration of Independence was read in Seoul, and peaceful protests spread across the country for months. Yu Gwan-sun, a 16-year-old student, led a protest at Aunae Market near Cheonan on April 1. She was imprisoned and died in Seodaemun Prison in 1920, aged 17.
    • 1919–1945 · The Provisional Government. Founded in Shanghai in April 1919, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea led the independence struggle abroad for 26 years, moving across China and settling in Chongqing in 1940. Kim Gu was one of its leaders and headed it in its final years. The preamble of today's Constitution of the Republic of Korea refers to it.
    • 1920 · Independence armies in Manchuria. Korean independence fighters defeated Japanese troops at the Battle of Bongodong in June, led by Hong Beom-do, and at the Battle of Cheongsanni in October, led by Kim Jwa-jin together with Hong Beom-do.
    • 1909–1910 · Ahn Jung-geun. His spirit carried into this period. In 1909 he shot Ito Hirobumi, Japan's former Resident-General of Korea, in Harbin, and he was executed at Lüshun in 1910.
    • 1932 · Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil. Members of the Korean Patriotic Organization led by Kim Gu. In January Lee Bong-chang threw a grenade at the Japanese emperor's procession in Tokyo; in April Yun Bong-gil set off a bomb at a Japanese military ceremony in Hongkou Park, Shanghai. Both were executed that year.
    • 1940–1945 · Korean Liberation Army. The Provisional Government formed its army in Chongqing in 1940 and declared war on Japan in December 1941. In 1945 the army trained with the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) for operations in Korea.
    • 15 August 1945 · Liberation. Japan's surrender ended colonial rule. Korea celebrates the day as Gwangbokjeol, 'the day the light returned'.
    • Many independence activists were imprisoned, and many gave their lives. Korea honours them on March 1, on Memorial Day (June 6) and on August 15.

    Key events

    • 1910Japan annexes Korea and rules it through the Japanese Government-General in Seoul.
    • 1920Korean-language newspapers such as the Dong-A Ilbo and the Chosun Ilbo are allowed to launch.
    • 1929The Gwangju Student Independence Movement spreads to schools across the country.
    • 1930s–40sKorean language and names are suppressed; many Koreans are mobilised for war.

    See it today

    • Seodaemun Prison History Hall, where Yu Gwan-sun and many independence activists were held · Seoul
    • Independence Hall of Korea · Cheonan
    • Tapgol Park, where the 1919 declaration was read · Seoul
    • Former site of the Provisional Government · Shanghai, China
  9. Republic of Korea대한민국1948 – presentWar, rapid growth and democracy: the Korea of today.
    Capital
    Seoul

    Key events

    • 1948The government of the Republic of Korea is established on August 15.
    • 1950–1953The Korean War; an armistice is signed in 1953, and the DMZ still divides the peninsula.
    • 1960s–90sRapid industrialisation, often called the 'Miracle on the Han River'.
    • 1960–1987Democratisation: the April Revolution (1960), the Gwangju Uprising (1980) and the June Democratic Struggle (1987).
    • 1988 · 2002 · 2018Seoul Summer Olympics, the FIFA World Cup (co-hosted with Japan) and the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

    See it today

    • War Memorial of Korea · Seoul
    • Imjingak and DMZ tours · Paju
    • Olympic Park · Seoul

    Dokdo, Korea's easternmost islands독도

    • Dokdo is a group of small volcanic islands in the East Sea, 87.4 km southeast of Ulleungdo.
    • It is Korean territory, administered as Dokdo-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. A police guard unit and lighthouse staff are stationed there.
    • Visitors can take a boat from Ulleungdo; landing depends on the weather.

    Historical evidence

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Korea's position on Dokdo (opens in a new tab) ↗National Library of Korea: Dokdo introduction (opens in a new tab) ↗