Korea

Introduction
Korea to c. 1400
- The dawn of history
  - The Stone Age
  - The use of metals and the emergence of tribal states
- The development of ancient states
  - The Three Kingdoms
  - Unified Silla
  - The emergence of provincial magnates
- Goryeo
  - Social structure and culture
  - Military rule
  - Social change in later Goryeo
Korea since c. 1400
- The Joseon (Yi) dynasty
  - The establishment of a Confucian state
  - Foreign invasions
  - Silhak and popular culture
  - The introduction of Roman Catholicism
- Contact with world powers
  - Opening the door
  - The Donghak Uprising and government reform
  - The international power struggle and Korea’s resistance
- Korea under Japanese rule
  - Military control
  - The March First Movement
  - The end of Japanese rule
- Division of Korea
  - The southern zone
  - The northern zone
  - Establishment of the two republics
- The Korean War
  - UN intervention
  - Chinese intervention
  - Armistice and aid

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Map of the Korean Peninsula highlighted in orange, showing North Korea in the north and South Korea in the south. The peninsula is bordered by China and Russia to the north, the Yellow Sea to the west, the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east, and Japan across the sea to the southeast. A small inset globe at the top left shows the peninsula's location in East Asia.

Topographical map of the Korean Peninsula highlighting major elevation changes, with mountain ranges such as the Taebaek Mountains, the highest peak Mt. Paektu in the north, and Mt. Halla on Jeju Island to the south. Major rivers and surrounding seas, including the Yellow Sea, East Sea (Sea of Japan), and East China Sea, are also labeled.

Pagoda of Jeongrimsa Temple in Buyeo, South Korea

Map showing the Korean Peninsula around AD 400 during the Three Kingdoms period, with territories of Koguryo in the north, Paekche in the southwest, Silla in the southeast, and Kaya in the south-central region. Key mountain ranges and major settlements are labeled, and modern international boundaries are outlined.

Ancient Korean burial sites from the Silla and Unified Silla kingdoms

Bronze statue of King Sejong the Great seated and holding an open book, on a stone pedestal inscribed with Korean characters in Yeouido Park, Seoul, South Korea.

Related Questions

How did Buddhism and Confucianism influence Goryeo society?
How did Goguryeo use military garrisons to govern its territory?
How did Wiman become ruler of Gojoseon?
How did Yi Seong-gye end the Goryeo dynasty in 1392?
How did civil service examinations strengthen the Goryeo dynasty?
How did hereditary monarchies develop in the Three Kingdoms of Korea?
How did the 1953 Korean Armistice create the Korean Demilitarized Zone?
How did the Japanese invasions of 1592 affect Joseon Korea?
How did the Silla bone-rank system limit political power?
How did the Tang dynasty and Silla defeat Goguryeo in 668?
How did the yangban class shape Joseon society?
How did tribal federations develop into Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla?
How did wars of expansion strengthen the Three Kingdoms of Korea?
How large was Goguryeo at the height of its power?
How was the Baekje central government organized?
How were Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla governed through administrative districts?
How were North Korea and South Korea established as separate states in 1948?
What features are associated with the Baekje smile in Buddhist art?
What is the Tripitaka Koreana and when was it produced?
What role did the Council of Nobles play in the Silla kingdom?
What was the purpose of the Hall of Worthies during King Sejong’s reign?
When did the Three Kingdoms period of Korean history take place?
When was Gojoseon established on the Korean Peninsula?
Where was Baekje located on the Korean Peninsula?
Which rulers began building centralized states in Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla?
Who were the legendary founders of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla?
Why did Buddhism become important to the governments of the Three Kingdoms?
Why did Japan annex Korea in 1910?
Why did King Sejong create Hangul in 1443?
Why did Silla fight Tang forces after defeating Baekje and Goguryeo?
Why did scholar-officials call for land reform at the end of Goryeo?
Why did the Joseon dynasty adopt Neo-Confucianism as its official ideology?
Why did the Korean War make Korea’s division permanent?
Why did the United States and the Soviet Union divide Korea at the 38th parallel in 1945?
Why is the English name Korea derived from Goryeo?
Why was Goryeo celadon famous?
Why were Buddhism and Confucian education introduced in Goguryeo?

Geography & Travel Historic Places

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External Websites

World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Korea
The Korea Society - Brief History of Korea
Korean Cultural Center, New York - Korea Information - History
Asia Society - Population Change and Development in Korea

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Korea - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Korea - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Korea

historical nation, Asia

Also known as: Chosŏn, Hanguk, Taehan

Written by

Kwang-rin Lee

Professor of History, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea. Author of History of Enlightenment in Korea.

Kwang-rin LeeAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

History

Korea, history of the Korean Peninsula from prehistoric times to the 1953 armistice ending the Korean War (1950–53). For later developments, see North Korea: History; and South Korea: History. Archaeological, linguistic, and legendary sources support the view that the Korean Peninsula was settled by Tungusic-speaking peoples who migrated in waves from Manchuria and Siberia. They settled along the coasts and moved up the river valleys. These peoples formed the dominant ethnic foundation of the Korean...

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