The History of KOREA

Korea was born in 2333BC. Now its age is 4,331 years old, and Korea has one of the longest histories in the world.

Ancient Chosun (2333BC~ )

Three Kingdoms Era (57BC~ 676AD)

After Ancient Chosun, Korea was divided into a variety of small patriarchal states. But these patriarchal states were gradually unified into the Three Kingdoms.

-Koguryo Dynasty (37BC~ 678)

-Baekje Dynasty (18BC~ 676)

-Shilla Dynasty (57BC~ 678)

Unified Shilla and Balhae (678~ 935)

-The Three Kingdoms were united by Shilla Dynasty. For the first time of the history, therefore,Korea became a single uified country.

-On the other hand, Koguryo continued to exist in Manchuria as its General Dae Jo Young founded Balhae (698~ 918)

Koryo Dynasty (918~ 1392)

Koryo was established by Wang gun in order to accomplish the revival of Koguryo Dynasty. From this time on, the name, "Korea" was called internationally.

Yi (Chosun) Dynasty (1392~ 1910)

General Yi Seoung Kye, one of Koryo's generals, rebelled against Koryo and established Chosun Dynasty. This was the era when Korea made great advancement.

Japanese Colonial Rule (1910~ 1945) & Historical Disruption

Japan occupied Korea and exercised a brutal totalitarian rule for 35 years, which led to a variety of anti-Japanese independence struggles among the Koreans.

Liberation but National Division (1945)

Korea was liberated from Japan in 1945, but it was soon divided into South and North since the U.S. and the Soviet Union occupied the South and the North, respectively.

Korean War (1950~ 1953)

National division led to a tragic Civil War, with North Korea's invasion to South.

South Korea's Economic Miracle (1970s')

South Korea has emerged as the world's fastest growing economy and has become a new model of the Third World development as a Newly Industrializing Country (NIC).

1998 Seoul Olympic + 2002 World Cup in Korea (and Japan)