Joseon

Joseon, also known as the Yi dynasty, was a Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted from 1392 to 1897. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye, who became Taejo after overthrowing the Goryeo dynasty. The capital was Hanseong, present-day Seoul. The state adopted Neo-Confucianism as its official ideology and reformed bureaucracy through civil service examinations (gwageo). The government was a centralized monarchy supported by a civil service and a system of Six Ministries, with the State Council (Uijeongbu) administering major affairs and provincial administration organized around six provinces.

Hangul, the Korean script, was created during the reign of Sejong the Great (reigned 1418–1450) and promulgated in 1446 to broaden literacy and improve governance. The dynasty overseen significant cultural and scientific achievements, including advances in astronomy, printing, and literature. Political life was marked by scholarly factions and court intrigue, with later periods dominated by the Sarim school and competitive court factions that influenced policy and succession.

Foreign relations during Joseon were shaped by tributary relationships with Ming and Qing China and by periodic military conflicts. The Imjin War (1592–1598) with Japan caused widespread devastation, though the Korean state endured with Chinese assistance. In the 17th century, Joseon repelled Manchu incursions and entered a relatively stable yet inward phase of governance and cultural development.

The dynasty ended in 1897 when King Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire (Daehan Jeguk) as part of modernization efforts. The empire continued until its annexation by Japan in 1910, which effectively ended Korea’s sovereign monarchy.