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South Korea Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in South Korea's history.
3000 B.C.
Early Korean civilization grows with waves of settlers from central Asia.700 B.C.
Immigrants from eastern China bring new rice-growing techniques.200 A.D.
Korea's emerging states develop laws and a new writing system that uses Chinese characters.668
The Silla Dynasty brings together three existing kingdoms, and the arts flourish.1285
The Buddhist monk Ilyon writes Samguk Yusa, a classic piece of Korean literature.1392
The Yi Dynasty begins and the country is renamed Choson. The Yi Dynasty lasts more than 500 years.1592-1598
The Japanese military ruler Hideyoshi Toyotomi leads invasions of Korea.1895
Japan defeats China in the Sino-Japanese War, ending China's influence over Korea.
GETTY IMAGES
1905
The Russo-Japanese War ends, and Japan gains control of Korea from Russia.1945
After Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, Korea is divided into north and south zones at the 38th parallel.1948
The Republic of Korea is established in the south, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is established in the north.
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1950-1953
North Korea invades South Korea. The United Nations sends a multinational force to aid the South. After heavy fighting, a truce is declared.
PASCAL RONDEAU—GETTY IMAGES