Korean History Timeline

From the Paleolithic, when humans began making tools, to the Neolithic, when farming and settlement took root. An age before writing.

Gojoseon, the first state in Korean history. The age of bronze culture, dolmens and the Dangun myth.

An age when several early states — Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye and the Samhan — arose on the foundation of iron culture.

An age when Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla grew through rivalry. A time of adopting Buddhism, contesting territory and resisting foreign powers.

An iron kingdom of the Nakdong River basin. Several Gaya polities formed a confederacy, but were eventually absorbed by Silla.

An age when Unified Silla in the south and Balhae (the "Flourishing Land of the East") in the north coexisted. The golden age of Buddhist culture.

In the turbulent late-Silla era, Later Baekje, Later Goguryeo and Silla clashed once more — a brief but tumultuous age.

Goryeo, a Buddhist state. It withstood the Khitan and Mongol invasions and left dazzling achievements — celadon, the Tripitaka Koreana and metal type printing.

Five hundred years of Confucian Joseon — the creation of Hangeul, the Imjin and Qing wars, and the renaissance of Yeongjo and Jeongjo.

The age of port openings and the Korean Empire. A turbulent time when efforts at modernization, foreign encroachment and resistance collided.

Thirty-five years under foreign rule. Yet through the March 1st Movement, the Provisional Government and armed struggle, liberation was finally won.

Republic of Korea's era — overcoming liberation, division and war to achieve democratization and economic growth.