Joseon
Five hundred years of Confucian Joseon — the creation of Hangeul, the Imjin and Qing wars, and the renaissance of Yeongjo and Jeongjo.
- 1392년
Founding of Joseon
Yi Seonggye founded Joseon and, with Jeong Dojeon, laid the foundations of the new state.
Related figures: Taejo Yi Seonggye, Jeong Dojeon - 1394년
Capital moved to Hanyang
The capital was moved to Hanyang (Seoul), with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine built.
- 1434년경
Establishment of the Four Commanderies and Six Garrisons
King Sejong dispatched Choe Yun-deok and Kim Jong-seo to establish the Four Commanderies and Six Garrisons along the Amnok (Yalu) and Duman (Tumen) rivers, fixing the national boundary essentially as it exists today.
Related figures: Sejong the Great, Kim Jongseo - 1441년경
Construction of Scientific Instruments in the Reign of King Sejong
During King Sejong's reign, scientific instruments such as the cheugugi (rain gauge), jagyeongnu (water clock), and honcheonui (armillary sphere) were constructed, greatly advancing agriculture and astronomical observation.
Related figures: Sejong the Great, Jang Yeong-sil, Yi Sun-ji - 1443년
Creation of Hangeul
King Sejong created Hunminjeongeum, a native script for the people (promulgated in 1446).
Related figures: Sejong the Great, 정인지, Sin Sukju, Seong Sammun - 1446년
Hangeul proclaimed
Sejong promulgated his Hunminjeongeum to the people — the origin of today's Hangeul Day.
Related figures: Sejong the Great - 1453년
Coup of 1453 (Gyeyujeongnan)
Prince Suyang (later King Sejo) eliminated Kim Jongseo and others, seizing power. He subsequently ousted King Danjong and ascended the throne as Sejo, strengthening royal authority.
Related figures: King Sejo (Prince Suyang), King Danjong - 1485년
Completion of the Gyeonggukdaejeon (Grand Code of State Administration)
The Gyeonggukdaejeon, Joseon's foundational legal code whose compilation began during King Sejo's reign, was completed and promulgated under King Seongjong, establishing the governance system.
Related figures: King Seongjong of Joseon - 15~16세기
The Four Literati Purges and the Rise of the Sarim
Through the four literati purges of Muo, Gapja, Gimyo, and Eulsa, the Hungu and Sarim factions clashed repeatedly. The Sarim, despite suffering heavy losses, ultimately seized control of central politics through the network of private academies (seowon) and village codes (hyangyak).
Related figures: Kim Jongjik, Jo Gwangjo, YeonsangunKey developments 5 - 1592년
Imjin War
Against Japan's invasion, Admiral Yi Sun-sin's navy and citizen militias defended the country (Battle of Hansando).
Related figures: Yi Sunsin, Gwon Yul, Gwak Jae-uKey developments 7 - 1608년~
Implementation of the Daedong Tax Law
The Daedong Law replaced the tribute system of local specialties with a land-area-based tax paid in rice, cloth, or coin, beginning in Gyeonggi Province, thereby reducing the burden on farmers.
Related figures: Gwanghaegun, 이원익, Kim YukKey developments 4 - 1610년
Completion of the Dongui Bogam (Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine)
Heo Jun compiled the Dongui Bogam, a comprehensive medical encyclopedia suited to Korean conditions, during the reign of King Gwanghaegun, greatly contributing to the treatment of the common people.
Related figures: Heo Jun, Gwanghaegun - 1623년
Injo Coup (Injoreaction)
The Seoin faction overthrew King Gwanghaegun, who had pursued a policy of neutrality, and placed Injo on the throne. The ensuing pro-Ming, anti-Later Jin policy became the backdrop for the Jeongmyo and Byeongja invasions.
Related figures: Gwanghaegun, King Injo - 1636년
Qing invasion
With the Qing invasion, King Injo resisted at Namhansanseong before surrendering at Samjeondo.
Related figures: King InjoKey developments 5 - 약 1750
Yeongjo's reforms
King Yeongjo enforced the Tangpyeong policy to curb factional strife and the Gyunyeok law to ease military cloth dues.
Related figures: King YeongjoKey developments 4 - 1776년
King Jeongjo: Gyujanggak Royal Library and Jangyongyeong Royal Guard
King Jeongjo, upon ascending the throne, expanded the Gyujanggak royal library to cultivate talented officials and established the Jangyongyeong royal guard to reinforce royal authority.
Related figures: King Jeongjo, Chae JegongKey developments 4 - 18세기
Development of Silhak (Practical Learning)
Scholars such as Yu Hyeong-won, Park Ji-won, and Jeong Yak-yong championed land reform, promotion of commerce and industry, and the adoption of Western science as they sought practical solutions to real social problems.
Related figures: Jeong Yak-yong (Dasan), Bak Jiwon (Yeonam), Yu Hyeong-won - 1796년
Hwaseong Fortress
King Jeongjo completed Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon using Jeong Yagyong's pulley crane — a symbol of reformist politics.
Related figures: King Jeongjo, Jeong Yak-yong (Dasan) - 1801년
Catholic Persecution of 1801 (Sinyu Persecution)
Shortly after King Sunjo's accession, Catholics were persecuted: Yi Seunghun, Jeong Yak-jong, and others were executed, and Jeong Yak-yong and his brother were sent into exile. The Hwang Sayeong Silk Letter incident also occurred at this time.
Related figures: Jeong Yak-yong (Dasan) - 1811년
Hong Gyeong-nae's Rebellion
Hong Gyeong-nae led a large-scale peasant uprising in Pyeongan Province against the contradictions of in-group politics (seodopolitics) and the systematic discrimination against the Pyeongan region.
Related figures: Hong Gyeongnae - 1861년
Production of the Daedongyeojido (Great Map of Korea)
Kim Jeong-ho produced the Daedongyeojido, a precise woodblock-printed map of the entire country, representing the pinnacle of Joseon cartography.
Related figures: Kim Jeongho - 1862년
Imsul Peasant Uprisings
In protest against the corruption of the three administrative systems (taxation, military service, and state loans) and official exploitation, peasants rose in rebellion beginning in Jinju and spreading across the country.
- 1863년
Regent Heungseon
Gojong's father, the Heungseon Daewongun, rebuilt Gyeongbokgung Palace and pursued an isolationist policy.
Related figures: Heungseon DaewongunKey developments 4