Korean History Timeline

  • Period: 37 BCE to 562

    Three Kings Period

  • Period: 668 to 935

    Unified Silla

  • Period: 918 to 1393

    Goryeo Dynasty

  • Period: 1384 to

    The Joseon Dynasty

  • 1395

    Geyongbokgung Palace Creation

    Geyongbokgung Palace Creation
    Geyongbokgung Palace was the first and largest palace of all the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. It was built in 1395. It represented the sovereignty of Joseon Dynasty.
  • Period: 1419 to 1450

    The Reign of King Sejong

  • 1443

    The Creation of Hangul

    The Creation of Hangul
    Prior to the creation of Hangul, only the most elite people in Korea had the power of literacy. They spoke, read, and wrote to each other in Mandarin. In 1443 King Sejong of the Joeson Dynasty created the 28 characters of the Hangul alphabet (later reduced to 24) so that everyone in his kingdom could learn to read and write in their native language.
  • Deoksugung Palace Destruction

    Deoksugung Palace Destruction
    Deoksugng Palace was burnt down in 1592 during the Imjin War (an invasion of Japanese people in Korea). It was re-built in 1618. It was then restored again in 1897.
  • Dongnimmun/ Independence Gate

    Dongnimmun/ Independence Gate
    Represented the Joseon Independence Movement.
  • Period: to

    Korean Empire

  • West Gate Prison

    West Gate Prison
    West Gate Prison was constructed in 1907, and opened October 21, 1908. During the Japanese colonia period ite was used to imprison and Torture Korean Liberation Activists. After the colonial period, the prison was used by the South Korean Government until it was closed in 1987.
  • Period: to

    Japanese occupation of Korea

  • Period: to

    North and South Division

  • Period: to

    The Korean War

  • Korean Demilitarized Zone

    Korean Demilitarized Zone
    The DMZ acts as a barrier along the 38th parallel between North and South Korea. It was established at the end of the Korean War.
  • Golgulsa Temple

    Golgulsa Temple
    Golgulsa temple was created around 1,500 years ago and is the oldest grotto temple in Korea. At this temple, the martial art of Sunmudo was created. Since 1992 this temple has offered sunmudo training for those who would like to experience this martial art, and the other traditions of Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism.