Korea

region in East Asia

118 dated entries naming Korea, drawn from 109 separate years between 194 BCE and 1945 CE. Nothing here is written by us: each line is the sentence a Wikipedia year article used, and the link beside it opens the exact revision.

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2nd century BC

194 BCEThe Wiman Joseon kingdom of northern Korea (Choson) is founded by the Chinese Han dynasty general Wiman.source
108 BCEUgeo of Gojoseon, king of Wiman Joseon (Korea)source

1st century BC

87 BCEMarch 29 – Emperor Wu of Han dies after a 54-year reign in which he leads the Han dynasty (China) through its greatest expansion. The Empire's borders span from modern Kyrgyzstan in the west, to Mongolia in the north, to Korea in the east, and to northern Vietnam in the south.source
58 BCEGo Museo Dangun, 6th ruler of Buyeo (Korea)source
37 BCEThe kingdom of Goguryeo in Korea is founded by the king Dongmyeong. (traditional date)source
18 BCEOnjo becomes the first ruler of the Korean kingdom of Baekje (traditional date).source

1st century

4AD 4 – Namhae Chachaung succeeds Bak Hyeokgeose as king of the Korean kingdom of Silla (traditional date).source
24King Yuri ascends to the throne as ruler of Silla (Korea).source
77King Giru of Baekje succeeds to the throne of Baekje in the Korean Peninsula.source

2nd century

199Geodeung succeeds Suro of Geumgwan Gaya, as king of the Korean kingdom of Gaya (traditional date).source

3rd century

204Gongsun Kang, Chinese warlord of Liaodong, establishes the Daifang Commandery in northern Korea.source
214The Korean kingdom of Baekje attacks the Mohe tribes.source
298The manufacture of cultured silk becomes popular from Korea to Japan.source

4th century

304c. October? – Bunseo of Baekje, king of Baekje (Korea) (assassinated)source
346In Korea, the Buyeo Kingdom is absorbed by Goguryeo.source
367The first Korean envoy arrives in Japan, emissary of the government of Kudara.source
371Gogugwon, king of Goguryeo (Korea)source
372The national academy of Chinese learning, called Taehak, is established in the kingdom of Goguryeo (Korea).source
384King Chimnyu ascends to the throne of Baekje (Korea); he welcomes the Indian Buddhist monk Marananta into his palace, and later declares Buddhism the official religion.source
384Geungusu, king of Baekje (Korea)source
385Jinsa of Baekje becomes the 16th king of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje.source
385Chimnyu, king of Baekje (Korea)source
391King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea) ascends to the throne.source

5th century

402King Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea) defeats the forces of Later Yan, seizing some of their border fortresses.source
403Asin of Baekje allies with Silla against Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea).source
404Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo (Korea) attacks Liaodong and takes the entire Liaodong Peninsula.source
427King Jangsu transfers the Goguryeo capital from Gungnae City (modern Ji'an, Jilin) on the banks of the Yalu River to Pyongyang (modern Korea).source
462Muryeong, king of Baekje (Korea)source

6th century

538King Seong of Paekche (Korea) moves the capital from Ungjin (present-day Gongju) further south to Sabi (present-day Buyeo County), on the Geum River. He sends a diplomatic mission that formally introduces Buddhism to the Japanese imperial court (see also 552).source

7th century

603Muyeol, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 661)source
632Seondeok is crowned queen of Silla (Korea).source
637Queen Seondeok of Silla (Korea) builds an astronomical observatory near Gyeongju (Cheomseongdae), one of the oldest in East Asia.source
639The Xueyantuo assaults the Chinese-conquered vassal of Eastern Tujue. Although simultaneously fighting in Korea against Goguryeo, Emperor Tai Zong commissions his famous general Li Shiji to fend off attacks in the campaign against Xueyantuo.source
660Baekje in southwestern Korea is conquered by an alliance of the Tang dynasty and Silla, led by general Su Dingfang and King Munmu of Silla. The Japanese envoys detained in Chang'an are paroled.source
663Gwisil Boksin, Korean general of Baekje (Korea)source
670A Goguryeo restoration movement, led by Geom Mojam in northern Korea, places Anseung on the throne. Geom is later murdered, and Anseung flees to neighboring Silla.source
674In Korea, Anapji is constructed by order of King Munmu of Silla.source
676The broad-based peninsular effort under Silla's leadership, to prevent Chinese domination of Korea, succeeds in forcing Chinese troops to withdraw into Manchuria, in northeast China.source
677Tang China declares the deposed Bojang of Goguryeo "King of Joseon", placing him in charge of the Liaodong area under the Protectorate General to Pacify the East.source

8th century

712King Dae Jo-yeong of Balhae (Korea) resumes tributary payments to the Tang dynasty. The Tai peoples are forced to accept Chinese sovereignty (approximate date).source
747Chinese forces under Gao Xianzhi (a Korean in Tang employ) defeat the Arabs and Tibetans, by rapid military expeditions over the Pamir Mountains and Hindu Kush. About 72 local Indian and Sogdian kingdoms become Tang vassals. Over the next two years he establishes complete control in East Asia.source
758Hyegong, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 780)source
765Gyeongdeok, king of Silla (Korea)source
777Heungdeok, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 836)source
780Hyegong, king of Silla (Korea) (b. 758)source
781April 30 – Emperor Kōnin of Japan abdicates the throne after an 11-year reign, in favour of his half-Korean son, Kanmu.source
785Seondeok, king of Silla (Korea)source
788Aejang, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 809)source
798Wonseong, king of Silla (Korea)source

9th century

802The Haeinsa Temple of the Jogye Order is built in Korea.source
808Kim Yang, viceroy of Silla (Korea) (d. 857)source
812Jeong, king of Balhae (Korea) (approximate date)source
826Heondeok, king of Silla (Korea)source
846Gyeongmun, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 875)source
857Dae Ijin, king of Balhae (Korea)source
867Kyŏn Hwŏn, king of Later Baekje (Korea) (d. 936)source
875Gyeongmun, king of Silla (Korea) (b. 841)source
885Hyogong, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 912)source
886Heongang, king of Silla (Korea)source
887Jeonggang, king of Silla (modern Korea)source
889The Unified Silla kingdom (modern Korea) under King Jinseong seeks to collect taxes by force from peasants, setting off massive peasant rebellions (approximate date).source
894Dae Hyeonseok, king of Balhae (Korea)source
897Gyeongsun, king of Silla (Korea) (d. 978)source
897Jinseong, queen of Silla (Korea)source

10th century

906Dae Wihae, king of Balhae (Korea)source
912Hyejong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 945)source
917Sindeok, king of Silla (Korea)source
918Gung Ye, king of Hu Goguryeo (Korea)source
918July 25 – Wang Kon, a Korean general, overthrows the government of the short-lived state Ho Goguryeo and ascends the throne at Cheorwon. He founds the Goryeo dynasty and makes Song'ak his capital.source
923Jeongjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 949)source
924Gyeongmyeong, king of Silla (Korea)source
927Later Baekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, sacks the Silla capital at Gyeongju. King Gyeongae commits suicide and Gyeongsun is placed on the throne by the Later Baekje king Kyŏn Hwŏn.source
927Gyeongae, king (55th ruler) of Silla (Korea)source
930The independent Korean island state of Usan-guk becomes a protectorate of Goryeo.source
935King Gyeongsun, the last ruler of Unified Silla, formally surrenders and abdicates in favour of Taejo of Goryeo. This completes Taejo's unification of Korea, bringing the Silla dynasty to an end.source
943July 4 – Wang Kon, founder of Goryeo (Korea) (b. 877)source
945October 23 – Hyejong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (b. 912)source
955November 9 – Gyeongjong of Goryeo, ruler of Korea (d. 981)source
961January 15 – Seongjong, ruler of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 997)source
966Heonjeong, queen of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 992)source
978Gyeongsun, king of Silla (Korea) (b. 896)source
980July 5 – Mokjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 1009)source
981Summer – Seongjong ascends the throne of Goryeo (Korea) after the death of his brother-in-law (and cousin), king Gyeongjong.source
981August 13 – Gyeongjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (b. 955)source
992August 1 – Hyeonjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 1031)source

11th century

1009March 2 – Mokjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (b. 980)source
1016June 9 – Deokjong, ruler of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 1034)source
1018August 31 – Jeongjong II, ruler of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 1046)source
1019December 29 – Munjong, ruler of Goryeo (Korea) (d. 1083)source
1024Choe Hang, civil minister of Goryeo (Korea)source
1031June 17 – Hyeonjong, king of Goryeo (Korea) (b. 992)source
1034October 31 – Deokjong, ruler of Goryeo (Korea) (b. 1016)source
1046Munjong is crowned the 11th king of Goryeo (Korea).source

12th century

1101A vast compilation of Liao, Korean, and Song Buddhist writings is completed (approximate date).source
1116Aak music is introduced to the Korean court, through a large gift of 428 musical instruments as well as 572 costumes and ritual dance objects from China, by Emperor Huizong of the Song dynasty.source

13th century

1231August – Ögedei Khan orders the invasion of Korea. A Mongol army crosses the Yalu River and quickly secures the surrender of the border town of Uiju. The Mongols are joined by Hong Pok-wŏn, a Goryeo general, who takes their side with his subordinates numbering some 1500 families.source
1232June – Mongol invasion of Korea: Choe Woo, Korean military dictator of Goryeo, orders against the pleas of King Gojong and his senior officials, the royal court, and most of Songdo's population to be moved to Ganghwa Island. Woo starts the construction of strong defenses on Ganghwa Island, which becomes a fortress. The government orders the common people to flee the countryside and take refuge in major cities, mountain citadels, or nearby islands. The Mongols occupy much of northern Korea, but fail to capture Ganghwa Island.source
1236The Goryeo court in Korea orders the preparation of another set of woodblocks for printing the Buddhist Tripiṭaka ("Triple Basket") – which is intended both to gain protection against the Mongol invaders and to replace the earlier 11th century set that was destroyed by the Mongols in 1232.source
1241Emperor Lizong of Song China accepts the Neo-Confucian teachings of the late Zhu Xi, including his commentary on the Four Books. This will have an impact upon the philosophical schools of surrounding countries as well, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.source
1273In Korea, the Sambyeolcho Rebellion against the Goryeo dynasty (a vassal state of the Yuan dynasty) ends as rebel forces are defeated.source

14th century

1394January 15 – Grand Prince Chinan of the Joseon kingdom in Korea, eldest son of King Taejo and heir to the throne, dies at the age of 39 from complications of alcoholism.source
1398October 14 – King Taejo of Joseon abdicates the throne of the Joseon dynasty in modern-day Korea, following the murder of his heir Yi Bangsuk, during a coup by Yi's older half-brother, Yi Bang-won, in The First Strife Of Princes. Taejo's eldest son Jeongjong succeeds to the throne.source
1400In modern-day Korea, King Jeongjong of Joseon abdicates in fear of an attack by his ambitious younger brother, Taejong. Taejong succeeds to the throne.source

15th century

1401The Joseon dynasty in present-day Korea officially enters into a tributary relationship with Ming dynasty China.source
1402The Gangnido map of the world is completed in Joseon dynasty Korea.source
1406August 14 – Chen Yanxiang and his crew of 121 people, sailing to Korea for trading, come under attack by 15 ships of Japanese pirates (Wokou) off of the coast of Gunsan. After a two day battle, 80 of the crew are dead and the ship is looted, but remains with Chen. The 40 survivors are able to reach the Korean shore.source
1406June 4 – The Chinese merchant Chen Yanxiang and his crew of 121 people depart from Java to Korea on the pretext of being Java's ambassador to Korea. His djong ship carries with it with various Southeast Asian products, including parrots, peacocks, agarwood, camphor, and black pepper.source
1408Zheng He delivers 300 virgins from Korea to the Chinese Emperor Cheng Zu.source
1446October 9 – The hangul alphabet is proclaimed in Korea, by King Sejong the Great. The Hunmin Jeongeum, published during the year, is considered the start of this brand new scientific writing system.source
1455August 4 – Prince Sejo, son of the late King Sejong, becomes the new monarch of Korea in Hanseong following the forced abdication of King Danjong.source
1471December 25 – The Great Comet of 1472 is first observed from Earth passing in front of the constellation of Virgo. The comet is recorded by astronomers in Korea and by the German astronomers Regiomontanus and Bernhard Walther, and will come within 6.5 million miles of Earth, the closest in recorded history that a great comet approaches. The comet is visible for 59 days, disappearing after March 1.source
1476August 8 – Lady Suk-ui, daughter of Yun Gi-Gyeon of the Haman Yun clan is installed as the new Queen Consort of Korea's King Seongjong of Joseon, two years after the death of Queen consort Han Song-yi, who produced no heir to the throne. Suk-ui, also known as Queen Yun, gives birth to an heir, Yeonsangun of Joseon, three months later. Queen Yun is deposed three years later and executed by poisoning.source

16th century

1597August 13 – The Siege of Namwon begins in Korea.source
1597August 28 – Imjin War: Battle of Chilcheollyang – The Japanese fleet defeats the Koreans, in their only naval victory of the war.source

17th century

1608The Uniform Land-Tax Law is imposed in Korea.source
1627March 3 – After the First Manchu invasion of Korea, the Joseon dynasty of Korea becomes a tributary state of the Manchus, but still pays respects to the Ming dynasty of China. After rejecting a Manchu alteration to the original diplomatic terms in 1636, the Manchus invade again in 1637.source

20th century

1945The Soviet–Japanese War opens: The Soviet Union begins its army offensive against Japan, in the northern part of the Japanese-held puppet region of Manchuria, including the 25th Army (Soviet Union)'s advance into the northern peninsula of Korea.source
1945November 9 – Soo Bahk Do and Moo Duk Kwan martial arts are founded in Korea.source