Goryeo
Goryeo, a Buddhist state. It withstood the Khitan and Mongol invasions and left dazzling achievements — celadon, the Tripitaka Koreana and metal type printing.
- 918년
Founding of Goryeo
Wang Geon founded Goryeo and made Songak (Gaeseong) the capital.
Related figures: Taejo Wang Geon
- 956년
King Gwangjong's Slave Review Act
King Gwangjong ordered those who had been illegally reduced to slave status to be freed as commoners (yangmin), weakening the power of regional strongmen and reinforcing royal authority.
Related figures: King Gwangjong
- 958년
Civil service exam
King Gwangjong introduced the civil service exam, selecting capable people as officials.
Related figures: King Gwangjong
- 976년
Establishment of the Jeonsigwa Land Grant System
King Gyeongjong first instituted the jeonsigwa, a system for distributing farmland (jeonji) and woodland (siji) according to official rank and personal merit. It became the cornerstone of Goryeo's land tenure system.
Related figures: King Gyeongjong of Goryeo
- 982년
Choe Seungno's 28 Articles of Governance
The Confucian scholar Choe Seungno submitted his 28 Articles of Governance to King Seongjong, criticizing the abuses of Buddhism and recommending administrative reforms in accordance with Confucian political principles.
Related figures: Choe Seungno, King Seongjong of Goryeo
- 993년
Seo Hui's Diplomatic Negotiations
When the Khitan invaded, Seo Hui conducted negotiations with Xiao Sunning, driving away the army and securing the Six Garrison Territories east of the Yalu River.
Related figures: Seo Hui
- 1019년
Battle of Gwiju
Gang Gamchan crushed the great Khitan army at Gwiju.
Related figures: Gang Gamchan
- 1107년
Yun Gwan's Special Forces and the Nine Fortresses of the Northeast
Yun Gwan led the specially formed Byeolmuban military unit to subjugate the Jurchen and built nine fortresses in the northeastern frontier region.
Related figures: Yun Gwan
- 1135년
Myocheong's Western Capital Relocation Movement
Myocheong advocated moving the capital to Seogyeong (Pyongyang) and proclaiming an imperial era, raising a rebellion that was suppressed by government forces led by Kim Busik.
Related figures: Myocheong, Kim Busik
- 1145년
Compilation of the Samguk Sagi
Kim Bu-sik compiled the Samguk Sagi by royal command; it remains the oldest extant official history of Korea.
Related figures: Kim Busik
- 1170년
Military coup
Slighted military officials staged a coup, ushering in a century of military rule (Choe Chunghon, Choe U).
Related figures: Jeong Jungbu, Choe Chungheon
- 1198년
Manjeok's Rebellion
Manjeok, a private slave of Choe Chung-heon, planned an uprising in Gaegyeong calling for liberation from bondage. The incident reveals the growing consciousness of the lowborn during the military regime period.
Related figures: Manjeok, Choe Chungheon
- 1231년
Mongol invasions
Faced with the Mongol invasion, the Choe U regime moved the capital to Ganghwa Island and fought on (Sambyeolcho).
Related figures: Choe Wu (Choe Yi)
- 1232년
Battle of Cheoin Fortress
During the second Mongol invasion, the monk-general Kim Yunhu led the people of Cheoin Fortress in resistance, killing the Mongol commander Sartaq and repelling the Mongol army.
Related figures: Kim Yunhu
- 1251년
Tripitaka Koreana
Some 80,000 woodblocks of the Tripitaka were carved in hopes of repelling the Mongols (now preserved at Haeinsa).
- 1270년
Sambyeolcho Resistance
The Sambyeolcho, opposed to the peace settlement with the Mongols, fought to the end under the command of Bae Jungson, moving from Ganghwa to Jindo and then to Jeju.
Related figures: Bae Jungson
- 1281년경
Compilation of the Samguk Yusa
The monk Iryeon compiled the Samguk Yusa, incorporating the Dangun myth, folk tales, hyangga poetry, and other popular traditions.
Related figures: Iryeon
- 1314년
Establishment of Mangwondang and the Reception of Neo-Confucianism
King Chungseon founded Mangwondang in the Yuan capital to facilitate scholarly exchange between Goryeo and Yuan intellectuals. Neo-Confucianism, which An Hyang had earlier introduced, spread through the rising scholar-official class.
Related figures: An Hyang
- 1351년~
King Gongmin's Anti-Yuan Reform Movement
King Gongmin recovered the Ssangseong Commandery, appointed Sin Don to establish the Jeomminjeon Directorate, and pursued a broad series of anti-Yuan, pro-sovereignty reforms.
Related figures: King Gongmin, Sindon
- 1363년
Mun Ikjeom Introduces Cotton to Korea
Mun Ikjeom brought cotton seeds from Yuan China and successfully cultivated them. The spread of cotton cloth greatly transformed the everyday clothing of ordinary people.
Related figures: Mun Ikjeom
- 1377년
Jikji (metal type)
Printed at Heungdeoksa Temple in Cheongju — the oldest surviving book printed with movable metal type.
- 1377년
Establishment of the Hwatongdogam (Firearms Bureau)
At the recommendation of Choe Museon, the Hwatongdogam was established to manufacture gunpowder and firearms. Its weapons were later used to repel Japanese pirates (wako) at the Battle of Jinpo.
Related figures: Choe Museon
- 1388년
Wihwado Retreat
Yi Seonggye, dispatched against Liaodong, turned his army back at Wihwado and seized power.
Related figures: Taejo Yi Seonggye, Choe Yeong
- 1392년
Fall of Goryeo
Yi Seonggye founded the new Joseon dynasty, ending 474 years of Goryeo (Jeong Mongju was killed).
Related figures: Jeong Mongju