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Joseon

East Asia & PacificHeartland today: South Korea and North Korea

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The dynasty Yi Seong-gye founded in 1392, ruling Korea from Hanyang (Seoul) for five centuries. Under it Hangul was devised, the state survived the Japanese invasions of 1592–98, and Korea became an empire in 1897 before Japan annexed it in 1910.

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Key events

  1. Yi Seong-gye takes the throne and founds Joseon

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  2. King Sejong completes the Hangul alphabet

    The alphabet was finished in the 12th lunar month of 1443 (30 December 1443 to 28 January 1444) and promulgated in 1446 as the Hunminjeongeum. World History Encyclopedia credits Sejong with creating it himself. Wikipedia says most scholars think he was closely involved, but it is unknown how the work went.

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  3. – Japan invades Korea in the Imjin War, and Chinese troops come to Korea's aid

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  4. Admiral Yi Sun-sin is killed at Noryang, the last major naval battle of the Imjin War

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  5. Manchu forces invade Korea, and attack again in 1636

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  6. Gojong takes the title of emperor and renames Joseon the Korean Empire

    Gojong was proclaimed emperor on 13 October 1897.

  7. Japan annexes Korea by a treaty signed in August

    The treaty was signed on 22 August 1910 and took effect on 29 August.