Koryo Dynasty (918-1392)
Koryo (Goryeo) was established in 918 and in the year 936 became the ruling Kingdom on the Korean Peninsula. It was founded by Taejo Wang Kon. Its capital was moved to Kaesong just 8 km north of the demarcation zone that currently divides the Korean peninsula.
Map of the Koryo Dynasty in Sariwon City, capital of North Hwanghae Province
Buddhism expanded around the peninsula and significant technological achievements were made, such as the world's first metallic paintings. In the 13th century the Mongols expanded all the way to Korea, and managed to achieve concessions from Koryo after 30 years of resistance. The Mongols allied with Koryo (spelled Goryeo in South Korea) troops to invade Japan, which ultimately was not possible given strong military resistance and heavy storms.
At the end of the 14th century a coup d'etat led to to the end of the kingdom and the establishment of a new dynasty.
Interested in North Korean history? You may want to check the following pages:
The History of North Korea | KTG® Tours | South Korean leaders visit North Korea (DPRK)
The history of North Korea 2000s | KTG® Tours | saw two unprecedented events, that of South Korean presidents crossing the demarcation line and visiting the DPRK. Pyongyang has hosted Kim Dae-jung & Ro
North Korean History 1980s & 1990s | KTG® Tours
North Korean History during the 1980s & 1990s | KTG® Tours| Fall of the Soviet Union. Leader Kim Jong Il who succeeds his father President Kim Il Sung in 1994. North Korea's Juche philosophy of self-reliance and the fall of the soviet block
Political History of North Korea | KTG® Tours | Information and North Korea Tours
Political History of North Korea | KTG® Tours | the DPRK was founded in 1948. North Korea adopted the Chollima policy to reconstruct the DPRK after the Korean War, under the Great Leader's guidance, Kim Il Sung
Please click here to go from our Koryo section to see other periods of Korean history.
