I think it is time to briefly touch upon the Korean history as a reference blog here for the readers to properly follow my future blogs. Understanding the history is absolutely basic to understanding the modern Korean society. My deep interest, respect, and love for the Korean Peninsula forced me to delve into her history through reading and visiting numerous museums all over Korea. I was amazed how well the museums have preserved and showcased the history for future generations despite suffering extensive cultural damage during the Japanese invasion (Imjin War 1592~1598CE), Japanese colonial period (1910~1945CE), and the Korean War (1950-1953CE).
The Beginning
Korea has a very rich history that spans more than 4000 years. Various relics from the Paleolithic age (Early Paleolithic 700,000 - 100,000BCE, Mid-Paleolithic 100,000 - 40,000BCE, Late Paleolithic 40,000 - 10,000BCE) uncovered from different parts of Korea indicate human existence some seven hundred thousand years ago on the peninsula. However, it is not clear whether the people of the Paleolithic Age were the ancestors of the Koreans or not. People disappeared and reemerged with every ice age, and the last ice age ended about 10,000 years ago. Historians believe that the people of the Neolithic Age (6000BCE in Korea) who migrated into the Korean Peninsula around 4000BCE were the ancestors of the Koreans.
The four great civilizations of Egypt, India, Mesopotamia, and China emerged around 3000BCE. Koreans passed through the Neolithic culture stage, the Bronze culture stage (1000BCE~), and then the Iron culture stage from the 5th through 4th century BCE. During these cultural stages, Koreans developed a fine and unique metal culture as the ancient Korean kingdom of Joseon and other ancient dynasties emerged.
 2333~108BCE Gojoseon
According to a myth, Hwanung, a descendant of a celestial being landed on the top of mount Baekdusan (currently in North Korea) and founded a divine city. One day, a tiger and a bear came to him with a request to convert them into human beings. Hwanung gave them a bundle of mugwort and twenty pieces of garlic, and instructed them to eat these and to avoid sunlight for one hundred days. The bear strictly followed the instructions and became a woman in 37 days. The tiger could not measure up to this challenge. Hwanung married the bear turned woman and they had a son named Dangun, who became the ancestor of Korean people.
This mythological figure played an important role in developing the Korean identity. The founding date (3 October) of Gojoseon is officially celebrated as the national foundation day both in North and South Korea. During the early periods, the capital of Gojoseon was in present day Liaoning (China), and around 400BCE it was moved to Pyongyang (North Korea). The Gojoseon period is divided into the Dangun (2333-1100BCE), Gija (1100-194 BCE), and Wiman (194-108BCE) periods.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty of China invaded Korea in 108BCE, leading to the collapse of Gojoseon. The states of Okjeo and Dongye emerged in the northeastern and east-central regions of the Korean Peninsula. Three tribal federations (Samhan) also came into existence.
108 BCE~ Jin State and Samhan (Jinhan, Mahan, Byeonhan)
Jin State was a confederacy of statelets that occupied the southern Korean Peninsula during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE, bordering the Korean kingdom Gojoseon to the north. Its capital was south of the Han river. It preceded the Samhan confederacies, each of which claimed to be successors of the Jin State.
Jinhan was a loose confederacy of chiefdoms that existed from around 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE in Southern Korean Peninsula, to the east of Nakdong river valley, Gyeongsang province. Jinhan was absorbed later by the Silla Dynasty.
Mahan was a loose confederacy of statelets that existed from around 1st century BCE to 5th Century CE in southern Korean Peninsula in the Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces. Mahan was engaged in a struggle against the Chinese and the northern tribes. Baekje began as a member statelet, but later overtook all of Mahan.
Byeonhan was a loose confederacy of chiefdoms that existed from around the beginning of the Common Era to the 4th century in the southern Korean Peninsula. Byeonhan joined the more centralized Gaya confederacy which was subsequently annexed by Silla Kingdom.
Ancient History
18BCE~660CE Baekje
Baekje was a kingdom located in southwestern Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje, like Goguryeo, claimed to succeed Buyeo. At its peak in the 4th century, Baekje controlled most of the western Korean Peninsula, as far north as Pyongyang. Baekje was a significant regional sea power, with political and trade relationships with China and Japan. Facing the threats from Goguryeo, Baekje formed an alliance with Silla. After losing its territory along the Hangang River in the 5th century, Baekje moved its capital to Ungjin (now Gongju) first, and then to Sabi (now Buyeo) in 538CE.
57BCE~676CE Silla
Silla was a kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the three kingdoms of Korea. Founded by Hyeokgeose of Silla, of the Park family, the dynasty was ruled by the Gyeongju Gim (Kim) clan for 586years, the Miryang Bak (Park) clan for 232 years and the Wolseong Seok clan for 172 years. Beginning as a chiefdom in the Samhan confederacies, Silla grew into a strong kingdom with the annexation of the Gaya states. Once allied with Sui China and then Tang China, Silla eventually conquered Baekje in 660CE and Goguryeo in 668CE. Gyeongju was the capital of Silla.
37BCE~668CE Goguryeo
Goguryeo was a Korean Kingdom located in the northern and central parts of Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Manchuria. At its peak power, Goguryeo controlled most of the Korean Peninsula, large parts of Manchuria and parts of the Russian Far East and eastern Mongolia. Goguryeo defeated the invading Sui Dynasty troops from China in 612CE. They defeated the invading Tang Dynasty troops of China in 645CE.
42CE~562CE Gaya
Gaya confederacy was in the Nakdong river basin of southern Korea, growing out of the six small tribal units of Byeonhan of the Samhan period. Gaya states failed to form a unified nation, and could not resist against the expansion of Silla. Eventually, Silla annexed Gaya.
108BCE~313CE Nangnang
Nangnang was established by Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty (206BCE-220CE) of China when he conquered the ancient Korean State of Wiman. Nangnang occupied the northwestern portion of the Korean Peninsula and had its capital at Pyongyang. Nangnang was conquered by the expanding northern Korean state of Goguryeo.
3BCE~5CE Dongye
Dongye was the Korean chiefdom which occupied portions of the northeastern Korean Peninsula, bordered by Goguryeo and Okjeo to the north, Jinhan to the south, and China's Lelang Commandery to the west. Today, this territory consists of the provinces of south Hamgyong and Kangwon in North Korea, and Gangwon in South Korea.
2BCE~5CE Okjeo
A Korean tribal state which arose in the northern Korean Peninsula. Dong-okjeo (Eastern Okjeo) occupied the area of the Hamgyong provinces of North Korea, and the Buk-okjeo (Northern Okjeo) occupied the Duman river region.
2BCE~4CE Buyeo
An ancient Northeast Asia kingdom centered around the middle of Manchuria, today part of China. Both Gokuryeo and Baekje are considered Buyeo's successors.
676~935CE Unified Silla
In the middle of the 6th century, Silla took over the Hangang River region. At this time Baekje and Goguryo formed an alliance against Silla. Silla allied with Tang China when Japan became an ally of Baekje. The combined forces of Silla and Tang China were too powerful. Baekje fell in 660CE followed by Goguryeo in 668CE. The Silla-Tang China alliance was broken when the Chinese refused to leave Korea. Silla won the support of the people in former territories of Baekje and Goguryeo and forced the Chinese to withdraw, thereby leading to the unification of Korea.
The Establishment of the Later Three Kingdoms
Unified Silla fell into chaos by the end of 9th century. The anti-Silla sentiment that prevailed in the previous Baekje territory led to the establishment of a new kingdom "Later Baekje" with Jeonju as their capital in 900CE. Another rebellion centered around Wonju ultimately led to the occupation of most of the Gangwon area and parts of Hwanghae. They established Later Goguryeo in 901CE.
698~926CE Balhae
Balhae was a multi-ethnic kingdom in the northern Korean Peninsula, Manchuria, and the Russian Far East. Balhae was established by the refugees from the fallen Korean kingdom of Goguryeo and the Mohe tribes. The multi-ethnic population included other minorities like Khithan (Nomadic tribes from northeast Asia) and Evenk (Tungusic people of Northern Asia).
Medieval History
918~1392CE Goryeo
General Wang Geon of Later Goguryeo founded a new dynasty in 918. He named it Goryeo, symbolizing that it was the successor to Goguryeo. The unity and peace of unified Silla was broken due to the power struggle between the aristocrats. In 935CE, Silla surrendered to Goryeo. The naval supremacy of of Goryeo led to their military success over Later Baekje. The Goryeo dynasty lasted until 1392CE. The collapse of the Balhae led to the ruling elite seeking asylum in Goryeo. Thus Goryeo was not only able to unite the Later Three Kingdoms, but also accepted the descendants of Balhae. This led to a more profound unification of the Korean people.
Early Modern History
1392~1897CE Joseon
General Lee Seong-gye of Goryeo founded the kingdom of Joseon (the land of morning calm) after an internal coup. Lee Seong-gye became known by his posthumous title of Taejo (Grand Progenitor). The dynasty lasted until the great Korean Empire was established in October 1897CE.
1897 ~ 1910CE Great Korean Empire
The Great Korean Empire was an independent unified Korean state proclaimed in October 1897CE by Emperor Gojong of Joseon dynasty. The Empire lasted until the annexation of Korea by Japan in August 1910CE. Establishment of the Empire meant complete independence from Qing China's influence.
1910~1945CE Japanese Occupation
The Russo-Japanese struggle over Korea and Manchuria grew intense after 1901 when a large number of Russian troops occupied Manchuria. The Russo-Japanese rivalry worsened when the Russians rejected the Japanese ultimatum for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Manchuria in late 1903. Japan declared war on Russia in February 1904. A large number of Japanese troops invaded Korea and Manchuria. With agreements signed by the Korean Government, Japan secured more privileges in Korea. The Russo-Japanese war was ended with the Portsmouth Treaty of September 1905. Although both Japan and Russia acknowledged the independence of Korea, the Japanese established a protectorate-ship over Korea with the support of Britain and the United States. Japanese colonial rule ended when the Japanese emperor accepted the Potsdam Ultimatum of the Allied forces on August 15, 1945.
Modern and Contemporary History
1948CE ~ Republic of Korea, Liberated from Japan on August 15th
On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Union, in accordance with the Yalta Agreement of February 1945, declared war on Japan and the Russian troops poured into Korea when U.S. troops were fighting the Japanese on the Okinawa islands, some 600 miles away. On August 13, facing the possibility that the entire Korean Peninsula could be occupied by Soviet troops, the US proposed the division of Korea along the 38th parallel line into two (American and Russian) military operational zones. On September 7th, three weeks after the Japanese surrender, US troops landed in Korea and occupied the region south of the 38th parallel. Soviets occupied all of the northern half. The foreign ministers of the Allies met in Moscow in December 1945. They agreed to authorize the American and Soviet occupation authorities to form the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Joint Commission, mandating it to establish a Korean government in consultation with the Koreans so as to end the Allied occupation. The Moscow agreement specified that the new Korean government would be put under a five-year trusteeship of the allies. The Korean Nationalists voiced against the trusteeship plan, but the Korean communists changed their mind and supported the Moscow agreement.
The U.S.-U.S.S.R. joint commission , which held its official meetings from March 1946, failed to fulfill its mandate given under the Moscow agreement. The United States appealed to the United Nations to settle the Korean questions, and in November 1946, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to form and send to Korea the UN Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK) to conduct national elections to end the Allied occupation. The Soviets refused to accept the UN resolution on Korea. Some Korean Nationalists like Dr. Rhee Syngman advocated the holding of elections in the South. Many argued against this fearing that it would make the partition of Korea permanent. The UNTCOK resolved to carry out elections "wherever possible" and on May 10, 1948, the first democratic elections were held in the South. Dr. Rhee took the oath of office as the first President of South Korea on August 15th, 1948, ending American occupation. The UN recognized the government in Seoul as "the only legitimate government in Korea".
In August, the North Korean communists carried out their own elections with Soviet approval and established the new Supreme People's assembly, adopted a constitution of a separate state named Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and elected Kim Il-sung as premier. The communist republic was opened on September 9, 1948, also claiming the entire Korean Peninsula was its territory with temporary capital at Pyeongyang.
North Korea invaded the South in 1950. The three year war that devastated the peninsula unofficially ended on 27 July 1953 in an armistice (formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting).
Today's Korea is entirely different from that in the first half of the 20th century. It is an economic power house with remarkable advancement in every scientific and technological field.
Speaking in a parable, those who like the color red would seek only red in a rainbow, while those who like green would seek only the green color in a rainbow. However, a rainbow is neither red nor green. The interpretation of history is the same as this; it is necessary to look at history without any prejudice.
References:
(1) A review of Korean History - Professor Han Young Woo;
(2) A Panorama of 5000 years: Korean History - Andrew C. Nam.