Korean History Summary Notes (Prehistoric to Modern)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key historical figures, events, and periods of Korean history from the prehistoric era to modern democracy.

Paleolithic Age

A period characterized by chipped stone tools like the hand axe and living in caves or simple houses called mak-jib near rivers.

Neolithic Age

A period marked by the beginning of farming, the creation of clothes using spindle whorls, and the use of comb-pattern pottery.

Bronze Age

A period that saw the emergence of social classes, private property, and rice farming, with artifacts like dolmens and mandolin-shaped bronze daggers.

Gojoseon

The first Korean kingdom, governed by the Eight Articles of Law and known for intermediary trade before falling to the Han Dynasty at its capital, Wanggeomseong.

Geunchogo Wang

A Baekje king who attacked the Goguryeo fortress at Pyongyang, leading to the death of the Goguryeo king.

Sosurim Wang

A Goguryeo king who established the state legal code ($Yullyeong$), the national academy ($Taehak$), and officially recognized Buddhism.

Gwanggaeto Wang

A Goguryeo monarch who expanded the territory into Manchuria and repelled Japanese ($Wae$) forces attacking Silla.

Jangsu Wang

A Goguryeo king who moved the capital to Pyongyang, conquered the Han River region, and forced Baekje to move its capital to Ungjin.

Jijeung Wang

The Silla king who officially adopted the name 'Silla' and the title 'Wang,' and sent General Isabu to conquer Usanguk (Dokdo).

Beopheung Wang

The Silla king who promulgated the legal code ($Yullyeong$), officially recognized Buddhism, and conquered Geumgwan Gaya.

Jinheung Wang

The Silla king who reorganized Hwarangdo, conquered the Han River basin, and expanded into the Hamgyeong-do region.

Muryeong Wang

A Baekje king who dispatched royal family members to $22$ Damlo and built a brick tomb reflecting cultural exchange with the Southern Dynasties of China.

Seong Wang

A Baekje king who moved the capital to Sabi, renamed the country Nam-buyeo, and was eventually killed in battle against Silla.

Sinmun Wang

A Unified Silla king who suppressed the Gim Heum-dol revolt, abolished the $Nogeup$ (tax village) system in favor of $Gwanryeo-jeon$ (office land), and established the National Academy ($Gukhak$).

Choe Chi-won

A prominent $6$-dupum intellectual of late Silla who passed the Chinese civil service exam ($Bin-gong-gwa$) and proposed political reforms to Queen Jinseong.

Wonhyo

A Buddhist monk who popularized Buddhism through the Amita faith and Hwajaeng philosophy.

Balhae

Founded by Dae Jo-yeong, this kingdom was known as Haedong Seongguk (Prosperous Country in the East) and inherited Goguryeo traditions like the $ondol$ heating system.

Taejo Wang Geon

The founder of the Goryeo Dynasty who unified the Later Three Kingdoms, distributed $Yeokbun-jeon$ land, and left the Ten Injunctions ($Hun-yo 10-jo$).

Gwangjong

A Goryeo king who implemented the Slave Rehabilitation Act ($Nobiangeombeop$) and the national civil service examination ($Gwagyeo$).

Seongjong (Goryeo)

A Goryeo king who adopted Choe Seung-ro's $28$ Articles of Current Affairs and dispatched local officials to $12$ administrative districts ($Mok$).

Myocheong's Rebellion

An uprising in Goryeo that advocated for moving the capital to Seogyeong and conquering the Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty.

Musin Jeongbyeon

A military coup in Goryeo resulting from discrimination against military officials, leading to the rise of the Choe clan regime.

Gongmin Wang

A Goryeo king who implemented anti-Yuan reforms, abolished the Jeongdong-haengseong, and reclaimed territories like Ssangseong-chonggwanbu.

Sejong the Great

A Joseon king known for establishing the Hall of Worthies ($Jiphyeonjeon$), conquering Tsushima Island, and creating the land tax system based on soil fertility and harvest conditions.

Sejo

A Joseon king who seized the throne through the Gyeyujengnan, established the direct ministry reporting system ($6$-jo Jikgye-je), and implemented the Jikjeon Law.

Literati Purges (Sahwa)

A series of four major political massacres (Muo, Gapja, Gimyo, and Eulsa) in Joseon involving conflicts between established officials and the Sarim scholars.

Daedongbeop

A Joseon tax reform that addressed the corruption of tribute payments by requiring a tax of $12$ du of rice per $1$ gyeol of land.

Jeongjo

A Joseon king who founded the royal library ($Gyujanggak$), built Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, and reformed the market system through Sinhae-tonggong.

Heungseon Daewongun

A regent in late Joseon who sought to restore royal authority by rebuilding Gyeongbokgung, abolishing Confucian academies ($Seowon$), and implementing the $Hopo$ tax on aristocrats.

Donghak Peasant Movement

A major $1894$ uprising led by peasants against corrupt officials and foreign influence, leading to the establishment of local reform assemblies ($Jipgangso$).

March 1st Movement

A nationwide independence movement in $1919$ against Japanese colonial rule, triggered by the principle of national self-determination and the death of King Gojong.

June Democracy Movement

A $1987$ democratic uprising against the authoritarian regime that resulted in the adoption of a $5$-year single-term presidency and direct elections.