Joseon

Joseon (Hangul: 조선; Hanja: 朝鮮; also Chosŏn, Choson, Chosun, Cho-sen), was a Korean state started by Taejo Yi Seong-gye. It began after the end of the Goryeo Dynasty at what is today the city of Kaesong. It ended with the assassination of Empress Myeongseong. Joseon was the last dynasty of Korean history and the longest Confucian dynasty.

Joseon 朝鮮 (조선)[1]
1392–1897
Top: Royal standard (c. 1856–1871) Bottom: Royal standard (1882–1897) Royal coat of arms Emblem of the kingdom (late 19th century)
Territory of Joseon after Jurchen conquest of King Sejong
Capital	Hanseong[a]
Common languages	Korean
Common script	Classical Chinese, Korean
Religion	Confucianism (state ideology) Buddhism Shamanism Taoism Christianity (recognized in 1886)
Government	Absolute monarchy[2]
King
• 1392–1398 (first)	Taejo
• 1863–1897 (last)	Gojong
Yeonguijeong, later Prime Minister[b]
• 1392–1398 (first)	Jeong Do-jeon
• 1896–1898 (last)	Yun Yong Seon
History
• Coronation of Taejo	5 August 1392
• Creation of the Korean alphabet	9 October 1446
• Japanese invasions	1592–1598
• First and second Manchu invasions	1627, 1636–1637
• Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876	26 February 1876
• Treaty of Shimonoseki	17 April 1895
• Elevation to empire	13 October 1897
Population
• 1400[3]	5,730,000
• 1500[4]	9,000,000
• 1600[4]	11,000,000
• 1700[4]	13,500,000
• 1900[3]	17,082,000
Currency	Mun (1423–1425, 1625–1892) Yang (1892–1897)
Preceded by Succeeded by Goryeo Korean Empire
Today part of	North Korea South Korea

Korean name
Hangul	조선
Hanja	朝鮮
Revised Romanization	Joseon
McCune–Reischauer	Chosŏn
IPA	[tɕo.sʌn]
North Korea name
Hangul	조선봉건왕조[5][6]
Hanja	朝鮮封建王朝
Revised Romanization	Joseon Bonggeon Wangjo
McCune–Reischauer	Chosŏn Bonggŏnwangjo
Official name
Hangul	대조선국
Hanja	大朝鮮國
Revised Romanization	Daejoseonguk
McCune–Reischauer	Taechosŏnguk
IPA	[tɛ.tɕo.sʌn.ɡuk̚]

Today, some Koreans use the word "Joseon" to mean something bad because they think of the Joseon Dynasty as something that failed. Young Koreans use the expression "Hell Joseon" to talk about how hard it is to find a good job in South Korea today.^[7]

History

Major events

The creation of Hangul^[8]

Hangul is the language of Korea that is still used today.

Hangul was created by King Sejong the Great in 1443 and officially put into effect nationwide in 1446. It was created based on the shape of the human vocal apparatus when pronouncing it.^[9] The creation of Hangul had many good influences, including the creation of culture.

Japanese Invasion (Imjin War)

The Japanese Invasion was a war between Joseon and Japan from 1592 to 1598 (7 years). Toyotomi Hideyoshi of Japan invaded Joseon after unifying his country. Then king, Seonjo, fled to the north. But as the Joseon's army, including Yi Sun-sin, fought hard, Japan retreated for a while. Japan invaded again in 1597,^[10] and the war ended when Toyotomi Hideyoshi died.

During the war, many cultural assets of Joseon were destroyed and taken away.^[11]

Qing invasion

The Qing invasion was a war fought between the Joseon Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty from 1636 to 1637. Joseon fought to protect the country, but Joseon was eventually defeated by the Qing Dynasty.  Injo surrendered to the Qing Dynasty.

At this time, many Qing soldiers kidnapped Joseon women to make concubine or sell them.^[12] Including this, a lot of social damage had occurred to Joseon because of this invasion.

Notes

1. Now Seoul, South Korea.
2. Style: Yeonguijeong (1401-1894); Naegak chongri daesin (1894-96); Ui jeong (1896-1905)