[Korea]History

THe ancient Korea was established about 4,000 years ago.

Most Korean believe the Tan-gun mythology of the bear totem.

The founder of Korea, Tan-gun was the son of Ung-nyo and Hwan-ung. His mother, Ung-nyo was a woman who changed from a bear, and

his father, Hwan-ung was a son of the king of heaven.

Kochoseon, Ancient Choseon, the country which Tan-gun built was the first nation of the Korean people.

After 1,200 years, Kochoseon fell down and the Korean peninsula was divided into three kingdoms; Koguryo, Paekje and Shilla.

Buddhism continued to spread and prosper throughout the Unified Shilla Dynasty, the golden age of Korean history.

In A.D.935, Wang-keon, the king Tae-jo founded the Koryo Dynasty.

The modern word 'Korea' is derived from the name of Koryo.

During Koryo Dynasty, as the 80,000 Wooden Blocks of Buddhist Scripture was undertaken, the art of printing was developed.

In 1392, Choseon Dynasty, thd last Korean dynasty was founded by General Yi Song-gye.

During the Choseon Dynasty, the state religion is changed from Buddhism th Confucianism.

Choseon was not ready to accept modern society and shut the door, in a kind of isolation.

Not escaping from the great powers interference, Korea became a colonial country of Japan in 1910 and regained their country in August, 1945.

The Korean Peninsula was divided into two countries again and finally the Korean war occurred in June, 1950.

Since the Korean War, Korea has greatly developed into a modern society.