Who Was When

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Goryeo

East Asia & PacificHeartland today: North Korea and South Korea

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The dynasty that ruled Korea from Kaesong after Wang Geon took power in 918. The name Korea comes from it. It carved the Tripitaka Koreana, printed with movable metal type, and became a vassal of the Mongol Yuan before Yi Seong-gye took the throne and ended it in 1392.

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Key events

  1. Wang Geon takes the throne from Taebong and founds Goryeo, with its capital at Songdo (Kaesong)

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  2. The Mongols invade Goryeo, and in 1232 the court retreats to Ganghwa Island

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  3. – Craftsmen carve the Tripitaka Koreana on about 80,000 woodblocksDisputed

    Wikipedia's article on the Tripitaka Koreana gives 1237–1249 for the carving; its article on the Mongol invasions says the blocks were ordered in 1237 and finished in 1248. The block count is about 81,000 (81,352 in the first article).

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  4. Goryeo makes peace with the Mongols and becomes a vassal of the YuanDisputed

    World History Encyclopedia puts the peace in 1258. Wikipedia's article on the Mongol invasions gives spring 1259 for the final agreement, and says Goryeo was a Yuan vassal for about 80 years, until Yuan power weakened in the 1350s.

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  5. The Jikji, the oldest known book printed with movable metal type, is printed at Heungdeoksa temple

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  6. General Yi Seong-gye takes the throne and founds Joseon

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