SOUTH KOREA
TIMELINE
By: Arjun M.
7th Period
Bibliography
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“Timeline: South Korea.” British Broadcasting Company. BBC News: 2008
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1132724.stm>
“Korea AD 668-935 Unified Silla.” World Timelines. The British Museum: 2005
<http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/asia/korea/AD668-935>
“Taejo.” NationMaster. NationMaster.com: 2007
<http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/>
Polenghi, Cesare. “Hideyoshi and Korea.” The Samurai Archives Japanese History.
Samurai Archives: April 23, 2003 <http://www.samurai-archives.com/hak.html>
Peterson, Mark. “Japanese Rule.” Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia. MSN: 2008
<http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557519_2/korea.html>
“Korean War.” Farlex, Inc. The Free Dictionary: 2009
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/North+Korea's+Invasion+of+South+Korea
“South Korea.” Public Broadcasting Service. Commanding Heights: 2008
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/lo/countries/kr/kr_overview.html>
Silla Unifies
► In
the year 676, the
Silla Kingdom fought
off Chinese troops out
of the Korean
Peninsula. In doing so,
the Silla unified a
majority of the three
Korean Kingdoms.
These kingdoms were
Silla, Goguryeo, and
Baekje.
Three Kingdoms Unified
Wang Ye, the crowned king
of Goryeo, formally unified
the three kingdoms. This was
the first time they were
unified since the reign of
Gojoseon, and would remain
together until 1948. This was
more significant that even
the Silla Unification, because
they had not secured all
three kingdoms.
► An illustration of the Goryeo
Dynasty 
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Joseon Dynasty Begins
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In 1392, the general Yi Seonggye established the Joseon
Dynasty. This dynasty is
believed to be the longest ruling
dynasty in East Asia, as it lasted
till 1910. Seong-gye took power
from the Goryeo dynasty in
mostly peaceful coup, and
moved the capital to Hanseong.
The current day Hanseong is
now known as Seoul.
Seoul
Hideyoshi Invasion
►
In 1592, Hideyoshi took
troops to try and invade
Korea. He believed Korea
was Japan’s corridor to
conquest China and India.
This attempt was a huge
failure, as they were
unsuccessful in there
attempt to raid Korea, and
they were forced back.
They never got past the
Yalu River.
Korean Independence
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In 1895, China recognized
full Korean independence
in the aftermath of the
China Japan War. The
independence was formally
recognized in the Treaty of
Shimonoseki. Both
countries had to recognize
the official boundaries of
Korean territory and
respect them.
Signing of treaty 
Korean Empire
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In 1897, King Gojong
returned to Gyeongun
Palace from his refuge at
the Russian consulate. He
then declared this new
entity as the Korean
Empire. This oversaw the
modernization of the
military, economy, real
property laws, education
system, and various
industries as well.
Emperor Gojong 
Japan Annexation
►
Japanese domination originally
began in 1905 with the
Protectorate treaty, but it took
official rule over Korea in 1910.
The Japan-Kore Annexation
treaty was signed by signed by
Lee Wan-Yong, Prime Minister
of Korea, and Terauchi
Masatake, who became the first
Japanese Governor-General of
Korea. Article 1 read: “His
Majesty the Emperor of Korea
concedes completely and
definitely his entire sovereignty
over the whole Korean territory
to His Majesty the Emperor of
Japan.”
Korean Peninsula Divided
►
When the Japanese
surrender in 1945, Korea is
then divided by the Soviet
Union and America. Korea
north of the 38th parrallel
was occupied by the Soviet
Union, and the U.S.
occupied south of it. The
split caused much turmoil
between Koreans, and
individual governments
were established for each
piece of Korea.
Republic Of Korea
►
In 1948, The Republic of
Korea was proclaimed,
which is now called South
Korea. The first general
elections were held, and
Syngman Rhee is elected
as the first president. The
U.S. withdrew its presence
in the region as well. A
year earlier, the
Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea had
been established in the
North, the Soviet owned
part.
South Korea Invaded
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In 1950, North Korea invaded
South Korea. The UN responded
when President Truman sent
U.S. troops, and Douglas
MacArthur was named
commander of UN forces in
Korea. This was the start of the
Korean War, and North Korea
had the support of China. The
North had invaded most of the
South by September 1950, and
the boundaries on the 38th
parrellel would not be reestablished till 3 years later.
Cartoon: Truman and the UN
rushing to Korea’s aid 
Chung-Hee takes power
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In 2960, Rhee steps down after
being accused of electoral fraud.
One year later in 1961, Park
Chung-Hee takes power through
a military coup. He overthrew
Premier John M. Chang. ChungHee’s coup was mostly favored
among the population due to
the political turmoil for the past
year. After taking power, he
established the KCIA (Korean
Central Intellegence Agency) to
prevent a counter-coup.
Chung-Hee is the left-most 
Chung-Hee Assassinated
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In 1979, Chung-Hee was
assassinated in his secret
house by Kim Jae-Kyu. Kim
Jae-Kyu was the head of
the KCIA and a long-time
friend of Chung-Hee. JaeKyu killed Chung-Hee
because Chung-Hee
blamed him for not
completely suppressing the
riots and protests in the
Cholla region. After this,
Chun Doo-Hwan took
power.
Doo-Hwan 
Direct Election
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In 1987, the South Korean
constitution is changed to
allow direct election of the
president. General Roh
Tae Woo is responsible for
implementing this reform.
After this, South Korea
sees a shift to democracy.
This allows Roh Moo-Hyun
to be elected.
Roh Moo-Hyun 
Joining the UN
In 1991, both North and
South Korea joined the
UN. In South Korea,
largescale anti-government
protests were being
forcibly suppressed during
this time. Since it has
joined, it has been active
in most UN specialized
agencies.
► South Korea at the UN
meeting.
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North and South Relations
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In 2000, South Korean leader
Dae-Jung and North Korean
leader Kim Jong-Il met in a
reconciliatory manner at a
summit. The North agreed to
stop its anti-South propaganda.
South Korea gave amnesty to
over 3500 prisoners who
returned to North Korea.
Additionally, South Korean
leader Dae-Jung received the
Nobel Peace Prize. Since this
event, however, North and
South Korea have a resumed a
rather hostile relationship.