South Korea is an independent nation in Eastern Asia. With the capital city of Seoul, South Korea 2020 population is estimated at 51,269,196 according to countryaah. In the 300s, several state states existed on the Korean peninsula and only in the 600s was a united kingdom formed. At the end of the 1300s, the area was ruled by the Chosond dynasty (also called the Yid dynasty) and Seoul became the capital. Although the dynasty became increasingly weakened, it retained power until 1910, when Korea was annexed by Japan.
The Koreans derive their civilization from the kingdom of Choson, which according to legend was founded in 2333 BC on the northwestern part of the Korean peninsula. Around 300 BC, Choson is believed to have expanded his empire into the present Chinese Manchuria. In the year 108 BC, China conquered the northern part of the Korean Peninsula and then had colonies there in the northwest until the 4th century AD.
- AbbreviationFinder.org: Comprehensive guide to and popular abbreviations of South Korea, covering history, economy, and social conditions.
Outside the colonies, several Korean city-states were also developed, including Koguryo, which drove the Chinese away in the early 300s. Towards the end of the 600s, the kingdom of Silla in the south-east underwent both Paekche in the southwest and Koguryo in the north. Thus, the peninsula agreed. For South Korea political system, please check carswers.
The flowering period of the herring was disintegrated and in 918 a new dynasty, Koryo, was founded. War on neighboring tribes was followed by an economic and cultural heyday in the 11th and 11th centuries. With China as the role model, among other things, the art of printing was developed.
In the 13th century, the peninsula was invaded by Mongols who dominated until the beginning of the 13th century, when the Koryo dynasty regained power. After attacks from Chinese armies and power struggle at the court, General Yi Song-Gye seized power in 1392. He founded a new dynasty with the old kingdom of Choson and with Seoul as its capital. The Choson Dynasty is also called the Yi Dynasty.
Confucianism now assumed the role of Buddhism in public life. A cultural and scientific heyday prevailed during the first half of the 1400s, especially during King Sejong (1418–1450) who, among other things, initiated the creation of Korea’s own alphabet, Hangul.
Then the Choson dynasty also fell, although it remained on the throne until 1910. Japanese attacks in the 1590s devastated the country, and after two Chinese invasions in the early 1600s, Korea became a Chinese sound state for a time. Apart from contacts with China, Korea was isolated from the outside world until 1875, when the Koreans were forced to open ports for Japanese traders. Korea then signed treaties with a number of Western countries and with Russia. After Japan’s victory over China in the war of 1894–1895, and over Russia in the Russian-Japanese war of 1904–1905, Korea became a Japanese protectorate, that is, the Koreans had to control their internal affairs themselves while relations with the outside world were controlled by Japan. In 1910, however, the country was annexed by Japan.
The Japanese regime pursued a harsh colonization policy, and Koreans were pressured to adopt Japanese customs and names. At the same time, the Japanese developed mining, industry and agriculture, but the profits were brought out of the country to Japan.
The dissatisfaction with Japan’s colonization led to the uprising. Thousands of casualties were demanded when the Japanese struck a peaceful uprising in 1919. However, the resistance movement grew, both inside and outside Korea. In Shanghai, China, a provisional Korean government was formed that year, led by Syngman Rhee, who previously lived in exile in the United States. But the exile government was divided.
In North Korea, the guerrilla leader and communist Kim Il-Sung was one of the leaders of the resistance against the Japanese at the end of the 1930s and during the Second World War. At the end of the war, North Korea was occupied by Soviet troops, while the South was occupied by the Americans.
2011
December
Lots are merged
The Democratic Party merges with the Little Citizens United Party and adopts the name Democratic United Party (DUP).
November
Free trade agreement is approved
Parliament approves free trade agreement with US. The agreement has been approved in the US Congress the month before.
October
New mayor of Seoul
A party politically unbundled candidate, Park Won-Soon, is elected new mayor of Seoul.
July
Nuclear weapons issue
The first talks between North Korea and South Korea on the nuclear issue are held since the six-party talks broke down in 2009 (see Conflicts: Korea).
May
Free trade agreement is approved
Parliament approves free trade agreements with the EU
January
Ship Cap
A South Korean cargo ship is cut off the coast of Somalia. South Korean elite forces defeat the pirates a few days later. Everyone in the crew manages to be undamaged.
