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Historical Timeline of Korean Peninsula

History of Korea spreads thousands of years and includes an extensive network of kingdoms, dynasties, invasions, and cultural changes.

Korean Temple

Gojoseon (2333 BCE – 108 BCE)

  • 2333 BCE: Legendary founding of Gojoseon by Dangun, considered the first Korean kingdom.

  • 108 BCE: Fall of Gojoseon after an invasion by China's Han Dynasty; the establishment of four Chinese commanderies, including Lelang.

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Three Kingdoms Period (57 BCE – 668 CE)

  • 57 BCE: Establishment of the Silla Kingdom in the southeast.

  • 37 BCE: Founding of Goguryeo in the north.

  • 18 BCE: Establishment of Baekje in the southwest.

  • 313: Goguryeo conquers the Lelang Commandery, effectively ending Chinese control in the region.

  • 660: Silla, with the help of Tang China, defeats Baekje.

  • 668: Silla and Tang defeat Goguryeo, leading to the unification of most of the Korean Peninsula under Silla (Unified Silla period).

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Unified Silla (668 – 935 CE)

  • 682: Establishment of the National Confucian Academy (Gukhak).

  • 751: Construction of Bulguksa Temple, an iconic example of Buddhist architecture.

  • 935: Fall of Silla; rise of the Goryeo Dynasty.

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Balhae (698 – 926 CE)

  • 698: Founding of Balhae by Dae Jo-yeong, a successor state to Goguryeo in northern Korea and parts of Manchuria.

  • 926: Fall of Balhae due to invasion by the Khitans (Liao Dynasty).

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Goryeo Dynasty (918 – 1392 CE)

  • 918: Founding of Goryeo by Wang Geon, who reunites the Later Three Kingdoms.

  • 936: Complete unification of the Korean Peninsula under Goryeo.

  • 1231: Beginning of the Mongol invasions, which last for decades.

  • 1259: Goryeo becomes a vassal state of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty.

  • 1377: Publication of the Jikji, the world’s oldest extant book printed with movable metal type.

  • 1388: General Yi Seong-gye turns back from a campaign to invade Ming China, leading to the fall of Goryeo.

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Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1897 CE)

  • 1392: Yi Seong-gye (later known as King Taejo) founded the Joseon Dynasty.

  • 1443: King Sejong the Great commissions the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet

  • 1592 – 1598: Imjin War (Japanese invasions); Korea, with the help of Ming China, repels Japanese forces led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

  • 1636: Manchu invasions of Korea, leading to Joseon’s submission to the Qing Dynasty.

  • 1866: Persecution of Korean Catholics and conflict with Western powers; French and American expeditions.

  • 1894 – 1895: First Sino-Japanese War fought on Korean soil, ending Chinese influence and leading to Japan's rise in Korea.

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Korean Empire (1897 – 1910 CE)

  • 1897: Emperor Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire in an effort to assert independence from foreign powers.

  • 1905: Japan makes Korea a protectorate after its victory in the Russo-Japanese War.

  • 1910: Korea is officially annexed by Japan, starting the Japanese colonial period.

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Japanese Colonial Period (1910 – 1945)

  • 1919: March 1st Movement, a major independence movement that was brutally suppressed by Japan.

  • 1930s-1940s: Forced labor and conscription of Koreans, as well as the use of "comfort women" during WWII.

  • 1945: Japan surrenders at the end of World War II, leading to Korea's liberation.

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Contemporary History of the Korea's

  • 1948- Establishment of Republic of Korea and Democratic Republic of Korea- April 3- Jeju Incident

  • 1950- Outbreak of Korean War.

  • 1953- Korean War Armistice agreement signed.

  • 1960- April 19 Revolution.

  • 1965- Treaty of Basic relations between South Korea and Japan.

  • 1970- Launch of Saemaeul (New Village ) movement- Opening of Seoul- Busan Express Highway.

  • 1980- May 18- Gwangju Democratization Movement.

  • 1986- Seoul Asian Games.

  • 1988- Seoul hosts Olympics.

  • 1997- Asian Financial Crisis. 

  • 2000: The first inter-Korean summit is held between South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

  • 2018: Historic summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, followed by a meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump.​

 

Geography

The Korean peninsula, which is situated in a strategically important location between China in the north-west, Japan in the east, and the Pacific Ocean in the south, has historically been referred to as the shrimp among whales. The peninsula features a lengthy stretch of coastline and is characterised by mountainous topography from north to south.

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The 38° North Parallel crosses the Korean peninsula precisely in the centre of both North and South Korea. Republic of Korea (ROK) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are separated by a temporary political line known as the demilitarised zone (DMZ) following the Korean War (1950–1953). North and South Korea have had independent governments and administrations since the Armistice agreement. Pyeongyang serves as the capital of North Korea, which is politically separated into nine provinces and three special cities. The peninsula is referred to as Choson by North Koreans. While South Koreans refer to the peninsula as Hanguk. The Republic of Korea is made up of nine provinces and six special cities, with Seoul serving as its capital.

DALL·E 2024-10-27 21.18.36 - A detailed physical map of the Korean Peninsula without any l

Physical features

The total area of the Korean peninsula is 84,565 square miles. Only a fifth of Korea's land is suitable for cultivation due to its mountainous environment. Rough mountains can be found to the north of the peninsula, while deep forests can be found even further north. These mountain ranges extend southward, paralleling and along the eastern coast. These areas are home to mountains including Taebaek and Mount Peaktu. Peaktu Mountain is the source of the Yalu and Tuman rivers, which naturally divide North Korea from its neighbours China and Russia. Halla Mountain, which is situated on Jeju Island, is the tallest mountain in South Korea.

The majority of the peninsula's cities are situated close to the western Yellow Sea shore. The Yellow Sea's shallow shoreline is advantageous for business, trade, and manufacturing. Numerous fishing communities and expansive tidal flats are the main attractions of the southern coastal region. Popular cities on this side of the the coast include Seoul, Incheon, and Mokpo. The southwest corner of the archipelago is also home to thousands of islands and islets. The eastern coastlines are deep and narrow in comparison to the coastal region in the southwest. On this side lie the well-known harbours of Ulsan, Pohang, and Busan.

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Climate

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Different climates are experienced throughout the year in Korea. The spring season is brief yet pleasant with cherry blossoms abundant around the peninsula. Monsoon rains and high temperatures are hallmarks of summer. The summer season is also frequently characterised by typhoons, which harm crops and property. After a sweltering summer and rain, autumn brings much-needed coolness and brilliant colours to the trees. This season, visitors to Korea are drawn to the country's clear skies and vibrant natural displays. The northern portion of the peninsula experiences more colder winter temperatures than the southern part, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures from November to mid-March.

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​​Reference: Asia Society, https://asiasociety.org/education/geography-koreas

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