As part of the Visual Timeline series, this pages highlights key events in the Korean peninsula from 2333 BC to present.
2333BC: Legendary founding of Gojoseon by Dangun.
~300BC: Jin confederacy est in southern Korean peninsula.
195BC: Wiman Joseon dynasty established.
108BC: Han China conquers Wiman Joseon and establishes four commanderies in northern Korean peninsula.
57BC: Silla founded by Park Hyeokgeose.
37BC: Gorguyeo founded by Jumong
18BC: Baekje founded by Onjo.
53: Goguryeo becomes a centralized kingdom under Taejo.
220: Han dynasty (206BC-220AD) ends; start Three Kingdoms period (220-265)
234: Baekje becomes a centralized kingdom under Goi.
313: Goguryeo conquers Chinese Lelang Commandery.
356: Silla becomes a centralized kingdom under Naemul’s reign.
371: Baekje’s King Geunchogo invades Goguryeo and kills King Gogugwon.
372: Goguryeo imports Buddhism from China.
384: Baekje officially adopts Buddhism.
392: Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo begins reign and expands territory.
433: Baekje and Silla form an alliance against Goguryeo aggression.
475: Goguryeo captures Hanseong (modern day Seoul) from Baekje. Baekje moves its capital south to Ungjin (modern day Gongju).
494: Gorguyeo annexes last remains of Buyeo.
527: Silla formally adopts Buddhism
553: Silla attacks Baekje, breaking the alliance.
562: Silla completes annexation of Gaya kingdom.
590: Sui dynasty (581-618) unites China; expands Grand Canal, disintegrates Confucianism and makes way for Taoism and Buddhism.
598: Gorguyeo-Sui War (598-613) begins; 1m Sui troops invade Gorguyeo.
612: Decisive Goguryeo victory over Sui at Battle of Salsu. General Mundeok inflicts 300k casualties with just 30k troops by ambushing at a river. Second most deadly battle in recorded history leading up to this date. Leads to fall of Sui dynasty, being replaced by Tang dynasty (618-907).
618: Tang dynasty begins in China (618-907)
632: Queen Seondeok begins reign in Silla (r.632-647); sovereign being female sends shockwaves at home and region. Seondeok promotes literature and arts, and goes down history as “generous, benevolent, wise, and smart.”
642: General Yeon Gaesomun coup in Gorguyeo.
645: Emperor Taizhong of Tang dynasty uses coup as pretext for invasion of Gorguyeo over next few decades; but campaigns fail.
648: Silla establishes alliance with Tang.
654: King Muyeol of Silla begins reign; begins first wave of Silla unification conquests.
660: Silla’s General Kim Yushin, allied with Tang navy, defeat Baekje at Battle of Hwangsanbeol.
661:
Tang dynasty invades Gorguyeo with 350k but fails again.
King Munmu of Silla (r.661-681) begins second wave Silla unification conquests.
663: Silla-Tang alliance defeats Baekje-Yamato alliance at Battle of Baekgang; Baekje falls.
668: Goguryeo falls to the Silla-Tang alliance. Silla unifies Korean peninsula.
670: Tang-Silla War (670-676) disputing over newly conquered territory; Silla recaptures the territory south of Taedong River, but Tang retains former Gorguryeo territory north of Taedong River.
698: General Dae Jo Yong leads Gorguyeo refugees to found Balhae kingdom.
751: Seokguram buddha and Bulguksa temple constructed in Silla at its cultural peak
763: An Lushan rebellion suppressed in Tang China; 20m killed.
828: Jang Bogo fends pirates establishes Cheonghaejin, a major Silla trade center with China, Japan, and Vietnam.
900: Hubaekje (“later Baekjae”) established in the southwest of the peninsula.
918: Goryeo founded by King Taejo Wang Geon (r.918-943) in southeast of the peninsula.
926: Khitan Liao dynasty conquers Balhae. Goryeo welcomes refugees
935: Goryeo conquers Silla
936: Goryeo conquers Hubaekjae, unifying Korea
942: Manbu Bridge incident: Goryeo rejects Khitan Liao envoy and gifts
956: Goryeo king Gwangjong reforms: (i) land and slavery reforms weaken power of nobility and strengthen crown by directly collecting more taxes; (ii) introduces civil service exams in 958
960: Song dynasty begins in China (960-1279)
993: First Goryeo-Khitan War: Khaiten Liao invades Goryeo with 800k troops, withdraws after Goryeo agrees to end tributary relations with Song and become Liao tributary.
1004: Song dynasty agrees to pay tributes to Khitan.
1010: Second Goryeo-Khitan War; Liao withdraws burning Goryeo capital Kaesong
1018: Third Goryeo-Khitan War; decisive Goryeo victory at Battle of Gwiju, 90k casualties. Goryeo enters 200 years of peaceful golden age.
1033: Goryeo builds large wall running along northern border (Cheonri Jangseong)
1046: King Munjong (r. 1046-1083); most prosperous and peaceful period of Goryeo history.
1104-1107: Goryeo invades and defeats Jurchen tribes in north; fortresses are built.
1125: Jurchen Jin state conquers Khitan Liao, before capturing Song capital Kaifeng in 1126 and ending northern Song dynasty in 1127.
1145: Samguk Sagi, Korea’s oldest historical text is compiled by Ki Bu Sik.
1170: Mushin military coup in Goryeo deposes king Uijong (r.1146-1170) for his brother, puppet king Myeongjong (r.1170-1197); next 3 kings puppets of Cho family clan
1215: Mongols capture Jin dynasty capital Zhongdu
1231: Mongols invade Goryeo 6 times (1231-1270); scholars make peace in 1258 but military class resists in southern regions until 1270. Mongol-introduced Levantine distilling techniques lead to development of soju.
1234: Choi Yun-ui’s Sangjeong Gogeum Yemun is published in Goryeo, world’s first metal-block printed text (200 years before Gutenberg’s printing press)
1251: Tripitaka Koreana completed in Goryeo, the most comprehensive and oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in Chinese script.
1270: Goryeo accepts Yuan dynasty overlordship until 1356. Crown Prince marries one of Kublai Khan’s daughters, subsequently coming to Korea to sit on throne in 1274.
1279: Mongol Yuan victory at Battle of Yamen ends Southern Song dynasty
1281: Japanese repel Mongol invasion
1285: Samguk Yusa compiled, another comprehensive Korean history book.
1356: King Gongmin of Goryeo declares independence from Mongols
1359: Turmoil in Goryeo (1359-1383) fighting off Red Turban, Jurchen and Waku pirate attacks
1368: Ming dynasty begins in China (1368-1644)
1388: Goryeo general Yi Seonggye, loyal to scholar Jeong Do Jeon seeking neo-confucian govt, turns army against Goryeo court instead of conquering Liaodong
1392: Last Goryeo king deposed; Goryeo becomes Joseon (1392-1897), and Yi Seong Gye becomes first king (r.1392-1398)
1368: Ming dynasty (1368-1644) in China, preoccupied with northern frontier, undergoes isolationist stance
1388: Goryeo general Yi Seonggye, loyal to scholar Jeong Do Jeon seeking neo-confucian govt, turns army against Goryeo court instead of conquering Liaodong
1392: Last Goryeo king deposed; Goryeo becomes Joseon (1392-1897), and Yi Seong Gye becomes first king king Taejo (r.1392-1398). Joseon embraces Confucianism over Buddhism and becomes Chinese vassal
1394: Joseon capital moved to Hanyang (modern Seoul)
1418: King Sejong the Great starts reign (r.1418-1450)
1443: King Sejong The Great creates Hangeul (Korean writing system); promulgated in 1446, replacing Chinese characters
1455: Hungu faction (support King Sejo’s absolutism) seizes power over Gwanhak faction (support balancing royal and beaurucrat authority); remains in power until 1575.
1494: King Yoensangun (r.1494-1506); notorious for vicious purges of those who poisoned his mother
1542: Portugese traders and missionaries arrive in Japan
1592: Imjin War (1592-1598) begins. Unified Japan under Hideyoshi invades Joseon with 160k troops. (for context, largest European force Spanish armada 1588 was just 30k troops) Japanese scores victories on land but is forced to retreat by undeafeated Admiral Yi at sea; 130k casualties.
1598: Joseon-Ming alliance defeat Japanese at Battle of Noryang Point, last major battle of Imjin War
1615: Manchu Qings unite and begin invasion of Ming China
1627: First Manchu invasion of Joseon (Jin); but they retreats with settlement due to preoccupied front at home
1636: Second Manchu invasion of Joseon, Qing replaces Ming as new tributary overlord
1644: End Ming dynasty (1368-1644), start Manchu Qing dynasty (1644-1912)
1724: Joseon prospers under King Yeongjo (r.1724-1776)
1762: King Yeongjo controversially executes his mentally ill son Sado
1791: Joseon begins to persecute Catholicism
1849: Several yangban (noble) clans gain power and install puppet King Cheoljong
1854: Perry sails on Edo, Japan
1863: Gojong king of Joseon (r.1863-1997) and emperor of Korea (r.1897-1907) launches modernization policies
1866: Anti-foreign edict unleashes violent anti-Christian storm. Joseon repels minor 1866 French Campaign and 1871 US Expedition on Kanghwa Island.
1868: Meiji Restoration in Japan ends isolationist Shogunate rule (1600-1868), and kicks off rapid industrialization.
1876: Isolationist Joseon forced to accept unequal commercial treaty with Japan at Treaty of Ganghwa; following military incursion the previous year. Qing court regards this as security threat.
1880s: China negotiates Korean trade treaties with US (1882), Britain and Germany (1883), then Russia and Italy (1884), and France (1886).
1884: Japan terrorises Korean post office inauguration event. Qing trooops retaliate by burning Japanese legation; and agree to mutual troop withdrawl with Japan (Treaty of Tianjin.
1894: Donghak Peasant rebellion suppressed with China’s aid. Japan seizes this opportunity to pour troops into Korea; occupaying the palace ,and triggering first Sino-Japanese War.
1895: Japan defeats Qing in first Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895); over Korea; ceding Taiwan, and transferring Korea to Japanese sphere of influence. Japan assassinates Queen Min (Myeongseong); an obstacle to Japanese ambitions.
1896: King Kojong and his Crown Prince sneaks into Russian legation stays there for a year.
1897: King Kojong proclaims the ‘Korean Empire’ (1897-1910), replacing Joseon dynasty (1392-1897). King Gojong returns to palace after 1 year refuge in Russian legation
1899: Boxer rebellion in Qing China suppressed with Western intervention
1902: Japan and Britain establish alliance.
1905: Japan wins Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905); Asian state defeating European colonial power shocks world. (Feb04 Port Arthur surprise attack, May05 decisive naval victory at Tsushima Strait). Korea forced into Japanese protectorate status (Eulsa Treaty).
1907: Japan forces king Gojong to abdicate (r.1863-1907)
1909: Korean independence activist assassinates Japanese PM Ito Hirobumi; imprisoned and later executed in Mar10
1910: Japan annexes Korea; last emperor Sunjong deposed (r.1907-1910)
1912: Xinhai Revolution (Oct11-Feb12) overthrows Ming dynasty, new republic founded in China.
1919:
Provisional Government of Republic of Korea est in Shanghai
Japanese brutally suppress March 1st Movement Korean protesters; including activist Yu Gwansun
1920: Korean resistance scores victory at Battle of Cheongsari against Japanese in Manchuria. Independence activities and assassination attempts continue for next few decades.
1930s: Industrialisation accelerates to support Japanese war effort in Manchuria.
1932:
– Japan annexes Manchuria
– Independence activist Yun Bong Gil sets off time bomb that kills several Japanese in Shanghai
– Independence activist Lee Bong Chang unsuccessful in attempt to kill Japanese emperor Hirohito
1937: Korean language is officially banned in schools and public meetings. Second Sino-Japanese War begins (part of WW2); Japanese commit atrocities to Koreans and Chinese.
1945: Japan surrenders to Allies, ending WW2.
(Aug 10-15) Korea divided at 38th parallel; US-controlled South, Soviet-controlled North
1945:
(Aug 6) US drops first atomic bomb ‘Little Boy’ on Hiroshima (by B-29 Superfortress)
(Aug 8) Soviet Union declares war on Japan; invades Manchuria and Korea
(Aug 9) US drops second atomic bomb ‘Fat Man’ on Nagasaki
(Aug 10-15) Korea divided at 38th parallel; US-controlled South, Soviet-controlled North
(Aug 14) Japanese unconditional surrender; WW2 end
(Sep 2) Victory over Japan day; Japan formally surrenders onboard USS Missouri
(Sep 6) Lyuh Woon-Hyung declares (united) People’s Republic of Korea
(Oct) US generals Hodge and MacArthur conspire against US Department policy to return Seungman Rhee to Korea.
(Dec 12) US military government abolishes People’s Republic of Korea; sets up provisional government with Japanese collaborators
1946:
– (Feb) Meanwhile in North Korea, Soviet Union works with Korean socialist leaders; after Cho Man Sik is outsted, committes rally towards communist Kim Il Sung.
1947: Seungman Rhee 1945-1950 brutally suppresses disorder and suspectedpolitical oppositions. By Dec47 there were more political prisoners in south Korea than there had been under Japanese rule.
– Mar47: Truman Doctrine speech
1948:
Aug48: Republic of Korea established, ending 3 years of US military government, and Seungman Rhee as president.
Sep48: Demoratic People’s Republic of Korea est with Kim Il Sung as Premier
1949:
(Jun49) Last of Hodge’s US troops withdraw from South Korea.
(Oct49) Mao unifies China and establishes PRC
– Last president of Provisional Govt of Republic of Korea, and independence leader, Kim Gu (aka Beakbeom) assassinated by Korean lieutenant
1950:
(Jun 25) Korean War (1950-1953) commences with invasion from Soviet-supported North
(Sep 15-19) MacArthur-led US troops land in Incheon, cuts North Korean supply line, turns tide of war
(Nov) China enters the war and drive Allies back to 38th parallel. Fighting continues with more casualties and no major territorial gain on either side for next 2.5 years.
1953:
(Jul 27) Armistice ends Korean War (1950-1953)
Early 1950s: Korea comes out of war as one of the poorest nations in the world
1960:
(Apr) April 19 Revolution: President Lee Seungman steps down after student protests
1961:
(May 16) General Park Chung Hee coup
1960s: Major industrial reforms under president Park sets up South Korea for rapid economic growth
1968: POSCO (Pohang Iron and Steel Company) est in Korea; production starts in 1973, would go on to become largest steel producer in world in 2010
1972:
South Korea declares martial law
mid 1970s: Korea earns FX by partaking in construction projects in and soldiers to Vietnam
1979:
(Oct 26) President Park Jung Hee assassinated by by KCIA director Kim Jae Kyu
(Dec 12) General Chun Doo Hwan becomes de facto leader (official term Aug80-Feb88)
1980:
(May) Gwangju massacre
1986:
Constitution change allows direct presidential elections
1987:
(Jun 29) President Chun Doo Hwan gives into pressure and announces next presidential election
1988:
(Feb) Roh Tae Woo democratically elected president of South Korea, ending decades of dictatorship (although he is also an ex-general)
(Sep-Oct) Seoul hosts 1988 Summer Olympics
1992:
1st Hallyu wave (international export of Korean pop culture)
1993:
President Kim Young Sam (r. 1993-1997) leads first civilian govt in Korea since 1961
1994:
North Korea’s Kim Il Sung dies; longest dictatorship in history 49 years since 1945
1995:
Sampoong department store collapse
1996:
South Korea admitted into OECD
1997:
(Dec) Asian Financial Crisis hits South Korea. Koreans remember it as IMF Crisis, and protest the austerity measures imposed by the IMF for its bailout.
1998:
Newly elected president Kim Dae Jung (formerly kidnapped in Japan) advocates “sunshine policy” aid to North Korea
2000:
(Jun) North and South Korea summit in Pyongyang
(Aug) Border office Panmunjon reopens; relatives meet; president Kim Dae Jung receives Nobel Peace prize
2001:
Incheon international airport opens
2002:
(Jun) South Korea’s historic run to 2002 World Cup semifinals ignites national pride (but attracts plenty of controversy over rigged referees).
2004: High-speed rail KTX launches, cutting Seoul-Busan journey down to just 2 hours
mid 2000s: Samsung (representing ~20% Korea’s GDP) surpasses as world’s leading consumer electronics company
2007: Conservative Lee Myung Bak wins landslide presidential election
2009: Former president Roh Moo Hyun (r.2003-2008) commits suicide
2009 – 2018: North-South tensions worsen after naval skirmishes and missile tests
2012:
(Dec) First female president Park Geun-hye elected (daughter of former president Park Chung Hee)
Psy’s Gangnam Style becomes #1 most viewed on YouTube with 1b views
2014: Sewol ferry disaster highlights corporate corruption (~250 high school students die)
2017:
(Feb) North Korea assasinates Kim Jong Un brother in Malaysia
(Mar) President Park Geun-Hye impeached over corruption; later sentenced to 20 years for abuse of power
(May) Liberal candidate Moon Jae In elected president in landslide
2018:
Kpop boy band BTS hits #1 on US Billboard.
(Apr) Kim Jong-un becomes first North Korean leader to enter South Korea
(Jun) Trump and North Korean Kim Jong-un meet in Singapore
2019:
(Feb) US-North Korea talks break down over pace of nuclear disarmament
More reference:
See also: