Joseon

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

Capital moved to Hanyang

The capital was moved to Hanyang (Seoul), with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine built.

Gihae Expedition to Tsushima

Under King Sejong, General Yi Jong-mu led a fleet of 227 ships to subdue Tsushima, the lair of the wokou pirates, aiming to root out their raids. Limited trade with Japan was permitted afterward.

Related figures: Sejong the Great, Yi Jong-mu

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

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

Creation of Hangeul

King Sejong created Hunminjeongeum, a native script for the people (promulgated in 1446).

Related figures: Sejong the Great, Jang Yeong-sil

Hangeul proclaimed

Sejong promulgated his Hunminjeongeum to the people — the origin of today's Hangeul Day.

Related figures: Sejong the Great

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

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

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, Yeonsangun

Imjin War

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Japanese forces invaded Joseon, beginning a seven-year war. King Seonjo fled to Uiju while citizen militias, royal troops, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin's navy fought back across the country.

Related figures: Yi Sunsin, Gwon Yul, Gwak Jae-u

Battle of Hansando

Admiral Yi Sun-sin crushed the Japanese navy off Hansando with the crane-wing formation, seizing command of the southern seas. It is one of the three great victories of the Imjin War.

Related figures: Yi Sunsin

Battle of Jinju

Some 3,800 troops and townspeople led by Kim Si-min held Jinju Fortress against a Japanese army of 20,000, blocking the enemy's advance into the grain-rich Honam region. It is one of the three great victories of the Imjin War.

Related figures: Kim Simin

Battle of Haengju

At Haengju Fortress, Gwon Yul repelled an all-out Japanese assault with a small force. Legend tells of women carrying stones in their skirts to help; it is one of the three great victories of the Imjin War.

Related figures: Gwon Yul

Jeongyu War (Second Japanese Invasion)

When peace talks between Ming and Japan collapsed, Japan invaded Joseon again. Yi Sun-sin, demoted to serve as a common soldier after false accusations, was reinstated as Naval Commander of the Three Provinces.

Related figures: Yi Sunsin, Won Gyun

Battle of Myeongnyang

With just 13 ships, Admiral Yi Sun-sin destroyed a Japanese fleet of 133 vessels by exploiting the narrow channel and fierce currents of the Myeongnyang Strait (Uldolmok) — a near-miraculous victory, famous for his words, "Your servant still has twelve ships."

Related figures: Yi Sunsin

Battle of Noryang

In the waters off Noryang, the allied Joseon-Ming navy crushed the retreating Japanese forces, ending the seven-year Imjin War. Admiral Yi Sun-sin was struck by an enemy bullet and died in this final battle, reportedly leaving the words, "Do not announce my death."

Related figures: Yi Sunsin

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, Kim Yuk

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

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

Later Jin Invasion (Jeongmyo War)

Resenting Joseon's pro-Ming, anti-Jin stance after the Injo coup, the Later Jin invaded. Joseon made peace by pledging a brotherly relationship — a settlement that would lead to the Manchu invasion nine years later.

Related figures: King Injo

Qing invasion

With the Qing invasion, King Injo resisted at Namhansanseong before surrendering at Samjeondo.

Related figures: King Injo

Naseon Expeditions (against Russia)

At the Qing's request during King Hyojong's reign, Joseon musketeer units marched into Manchuria twice (1654 and 1658) and distinguished themselves against Russian (Naseon) forces along the Amur River, a display of the military strength built up for the planned northern campaign.

Related figures: King Hyojong

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 Yeongjo

King Jeongjo: Gyujanggak Royal Library and Jangwongyeong Royal Guard

King Jeongjo, upon ascending the throne, expanded the Gyujanggak royal library to cultivate talented officials and established the Jangwongyeong royal guard to reinforce royal authority.

Related figures: King Jeongjo, Chae Jegong

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

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)

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)

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

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

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.

Regent Heungseon

Gojong's father, the Heungseon Daewongun, rebuilt Gyeongbokgung Palace and pursued an isolationist policy.

Related figures: Heungseon Daewongun

French Campaign against Korea (1866)

Using the Daewongun's persecution of Catholics as a pretext, a French fleet invaded Ganghwa Island. Joseon troops repelled them at sites such as Jeongjoksan Fortress, but the French looted royal archives including the Oegyujanggak books.

Related figures: Heungseon Daewongun

United States Expedition to Korea (1871)

Citing the General Sherman incident, a U.S. fleet invaded Ganghwa Island. Joseon troops under Eo Jae-yeon fought to the death at Gwangseongbo, and the Daewongun erected "reject the West" steles nationwide, hardening the closed-door policy.

Related figures: Heungseon Daewongun, Eo Jae-yeon

Ganghwa Island (Un'yō) Incident

The Japanese warship Un'yō intruded into the waters off Ganghwa Island, staged an armed provocation, and plundered Yeongjong Island. Japan used this as a pretext to demand the opening of ports, leading to the Ganghwa Treaty the following year.