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 Home > ABOUT US > NOTICE |
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| ¡ºAbout Korea 1¡» |
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1. History
Dawn of Statehood
Although Korea's first kingdom, Gojoseon, was founded in 2333 B.C., it is presumed that humans began to inhabit the Korean Peninsula several centuries earlier. The ideology of the Gojoseon Kingdom was characterized by devotion to the welfare of mankind.
Gojoseon's rule of the peninsula lasted some 2,400 years.
The Three Kingdoms and the Unified Silla Period
Data available to date indicates that the Three Kingdoms-Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla-lasted from 57 B.C. to 668 A.D. Goguryeo, which was the first to be founded, occupied the largest part of the peninsula. Its territory encompassed the northern part of the peninsula, which is now North Korea, and Manchuria. As such, Goguryeo was the most powerful of the Three Kingdoms. Baekje and Silla were established in the central and southern parts of the peninsula that is now South Korea. Wiryeseong, the capital of Baekje, was established in the area that is now Seongnam, a satellite city southeast of Seoul. Silla unified the kingdoms of the central and southern part of the peninsula later, ushering in the Unified Silla period. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram were built during the Unified Silla period. Meanwhile, Balhae, the kingdom that succeeded Goguryeo in part of Manchuria and the northern part of the peninsula, lasted for some 230 years.
Goryeo Dynasty
Goryeo was founded in 918 after the fall of Unified Silla. The name ¡°Korea¡± comes from Goryeo, as foreigners began to call the kingdom ¡°Korea¡± The peninsula suffered frequent foreign invasions after Goryeo developed relations with other countries. Of particular note, Mongols and Khitans invaded on many occasions. Among the many cultural legacies of the Goryeo Dynasty are the internationally renowned blue-green inlaid celadon pottery and the world¡¯s very first metal type.
Joseon Dynasty
The Joseon Dynasty was established in 1392 after the fall of Goryeo.Joseon adopted Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology. It put in place acentralized political structure based on the yangban (noble)class. Class distinction between the upper and lower classes was strictly enforced.
The vast majority of the population belonged to the so-called middle class.
The hereditary system of these people was again divided into peasants, artisans and merchants. Moral, ethical and social principles prescribed by Neo-Confucian codes of conduct were enforced along the extended family system to strengthen the status of the yangban class. The family system and moral and social codes were thoroughly based on Confucian codes of conduct. Under the extended family system, the head of a family exerted absolute control over his family in line with Confucian traditions. The head of the family represented and controlled his family and performed rites for his ancestors.
Because Buddhism was suppressed, few Buddhist works of art, such as those produced during the Silla and Goryeo periods, were created during the Joseon era.
However, Joseon¡¯s political and social stability, along with the buildup of national strength, enabled the kingdom to produce outstanding cultural and academic achievements. Of special note, academic activities in this era made significant headway as Neo-Confucianism became a source of politics, society and culture.
Colonial Rule
After emerging victorious from the Sino-Japanese War, Japan set its sights on taking over Korea. Korea lost its sovereignty with Japan¡¯s annexation of the country in 1910. Korea regained its independence in 1945 with Japan¡¯s defeat in World War II.
Modern-day Korea
Korea¡¯s first President Syngman Rhee ruled South Korea for 12 years until 1960 when he was forced out of the presidency.
Afterward, President Park Jung Hee established an iron rule after suppressing rising popular aspirations for democracy. At the same time, he pushed ahead with economic development.
For instance, he promoted Saemaul (New Community) projects designed to raise income levels and foster long-term national development.
Korea became known globally as it played host to the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. The Seoul Olympics is remembered as an Olympics that promoted world peace and harmony by all the participating countries. The co-hosting of the FIFA 2002 World Cup with Japan put Korea on the map once again.
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| Total : 24 Articles 3/3 page |
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