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Origin
The beginning of Korean history is often dated from 2333 B.C. Tan-Gun is the mythical progenitor of the Korean people. King Tan-Gun established the first Korean kingdom, Choson. Nowadays, Koreans celebrate October 3rd, as National Foundation Day.
Primitive Ages
The Korean primitive age progressed throughout the old-stone age, mid-stone
age and new-stone age.
Ancient Ages
In 676, Shilla achieved its first territorial unification. For two and half
centuries, Shilla enjoyed peace and prosperity during that time. She built up
national culture in various areas of science, the arts, and literature.
Medieval Ages
In the beginning of the 10th century, ancient ages transgressed into the
medieval ages. The founding monarch of Koryo (918-1392), was
named by Wang-Gun, who had served under the rebel prince of Shilla.
Koryo achieved some great accomplishments. Korean potters
created a mysterious bluish-green glaze for celadon, making a monumental
contribution to the world of ceramics .
Aswell, Koryo invented the world first movable printing metal type in 1234.
This preceeded Gutenberg's printing press by two centuries.
In 1392, another Choson Dynasty succeeded Koryo. The Choson rulers governed
with a well-balanced and sophisticated political system.
The founders of the Choson Dynasty replaced Buddhism with Confucianism in
order to reduce the political power of the dominant Buddhist influences.
During this age, society in general highly valued academic learning while
dishonoring commerce and manufacturing.
During the reign of King Sejong (1418-50)- Choson's fourth monarch- Korea
enjoyed an unprecedented flowering of culture and the arts. For instance,
Han-Gul, the Korean alphabet, was invented while he reigned.
In the late 16th century, however, Korea experienced difficulties through war
against Japan. From the early 17th century, a movement advocating practical
studies gained considerable momentum among liberal-minded scholar-officials as
a way to build a modern country.
However, the government of conservative aristocrats was not ready to
accommodate their ideas.
Modern Ages
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Koreans experienced the rise of Sil-hak, the
school of practical learning among liberal minded scholar-officials.
Unfortunately, most of their ideas were ignored, and the governments stuck to
its traditional ways.
Korea remained a hermit kingdom opposed to the western demands for
diplomatic and trade relationships in the 19th century.
Korea again became the arena for a power struggle in Asia. Japan, China and
Russia were the prime competitors.
The Choson dynasty ended in 1910.
Present Ages
After Korea was annexed, Japan started to exploit Korea.
Japanese colonial rule stimulated the growth of nationalism among Koreans. In
1919, Koreans started the independence movement against Japanese annexation
and exploitation. This movement continued till August 1945.
Finally, the strong
bond of national identity and patriotism of the Korean people led to the
independence and establishment of the Republic of Korea.
In spite of the tragic Korean War (1950-1953), Korea kept its successful
economic development during the last 30 years.
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The end of the new stone age, people started to use metal goods. At
that time, Choson was established. There were various new and strong
kingdoms that succeeded after Choson. These kingdoms were based on the
metal culture. Among various kingdoms, Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla were
remarkable ones.
