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| '''Korea''' is a peninsula in eastern ] and was once a unified country. Politically it is divided in the ] country of ] and the democratic country of ], since the ] when the ] occurred. | '''Korea''' is a peninsula in eastern ] and was once a unified country. Politically it is divided in the ] country of ] and the democratic country of ], since the ] when the ] occurred. | ||
Revision as of 20:53, 29 December 2002
Korea is a peninsula in eastern Asia and was once a unified country. Politically it is divided in the communist country of North Korea and the democratic country of South Korea, since the 1950s when the Korean War occurred.
History of Korea
There is evidence that Korea has been occupied since as early as 4000 BC, and according to legend, the Joseon Kingdom (Land of the Morning Calm) was founded by the man-god Dangun in 2333 BC.
In the period 57 BC to 668 AD, the Three Kingdoms of Silla (or Shilla), Goguryeo, and Baekje existed, and shared similar ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. All three kingoms were heavily influenced by China, and Buddhism introduced in 372. In 660 Silla allied with China (Tang Dynasty) and overthrew Baekje and Goguryeo by 668.
During the Silla Kingdom period (681 to 935) Buddhism expanded, and culture developed substantially.
The Goryeo Dynasty, ruled the nation of Goryeo from 918 to 1392. During this period laws were codified, and a civil service system was introduced. Buddhism flourished, and spread throughout the peninsula. In 1231 the Mongols invaded Korea and after 25 years of stuggle the royal family surrendered. For the following 150 years the Goryeo ruled, but under the control of the Mongols.
In 1392 a Korean general, Yi Seong-gye was sent to China to campaign against the Ming Dynasty, but instead he allied himself with the Chinese, and returned to overthow the Goryeo king and establish a new dynasty.
The Joseon Dynasty (also known as the Yi Dynasty) moved the capital to modern day Seoul in 1394 and adopted Confucianism as the country's official religion, resulting in much loss of power and wealth by the Buddhists.
During this period, the Han'geul alphabet was introduced.
The Joseon Dynasty suffered invasions by the Japanese (1592 to 1598), and the Manchus (1627 to 1636). Throughout most of its rule, the Joseon Dynasty were in a tributary relationship to the Chinese.
During the 19th century, Korea tried to prevent the opening of the country to foreign trade by closing the borders, resulting in it being called the Hermit Kingdom by many. Beginning in 1876 the Japanese forced trade agreements on Korea, and following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) Japan established dominant influence in Korea. In 1910 Korea was officially annexed by Japan establishing the Colonial Period in Korea.
The Japanese occupation was from 1910 to 1945. Following the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II, the United States of America and Soviet Union agreed to divide Korea at the 38th parallel into Soviet controlled North Korea and American controlled South Korea.
External historical links
See also: Korean language, Provinces of Korea, Special cities of Korea, Korean family name, Famous Korean people, Hanja