I'm delighted that you're enjoying the "50 Historical Figures of the Korean Peninsula" series.
As a token of appreciation, I've prepared another gift for you.
In this post, I'll guide you through Korean history, from the Prehistoric Era to End of Japanese Colonization
This overview, which is based on the information I've researched and gathered for the "50 Historical Figures of the Korean Peninsula" series, will help you better understand and immerse yourself in the stories of these historical figures.
Since this is a lengthy text-only post, I've included an audio narration so you can listen to it anywhere (40 minutes long).
Please note that I've used English-Only AI voice tools, so the pronunciation of Korean words is not native.
Enjoy!
Part 1: The Birth of History (Prehistoric Era to 고조선, Gojoseon)
Korean history began in the Manchuria and Korean Peninsula region. People started living in this area as far back as 700,000 years ago. These people lived in groups, hunting and gathering.
The Neolithic period in Korea began around 8000 BCE. Agriculture started, with the cultivation of millet and other grains, and people formed clan societies as they settled down.
They made and used various polished stone tools. The representative pottery of the Neolithic period is comb-pattern pottery. This pottery has been found throughout the Korean Peninsula, with representative sites including Amsa-dong in Seoul, Namgyeong in Pyongyang, and Sugari in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province.
The Bronze Age began around the 10th century BCE on the Korean Peninsula and around the 15th century BCE in the Manchuria region. Bronze Age sites are evenly distributed throughout Liaoning and Jilin provinces in China and across the Korean Peninsula. With the development of bronze culture, societies ruled by tribal leaders emerged, and strong leaders began to integrate surrounding tribes, entering the stage of developing into states.
The first state to appear was Gojoseon, founded by central forces including tribes that believed in the Heavenly God and tribes that worshipped bears. The two tribes united and supported Dangun Wanggeom, who served as both priest and political leader. Gojoseon developed a unique culture centered on the Liaoning region of China and the Daedong River basin. By the 3rd century BCE, powerful kings like King Bu and King Jun inherited the throne. Below the king, there was a governing system with ranks such as sang, daebu, and janggun.
In the late 3rd century BCE, China went through a period of upheaval as the Qin and Han dynasties changed. At this time, many refugees and immigrants moved south to Gojoseon, and their leader Wiman ascended to the throne in 194 BCE, leading to Gojoseon's expansion. During this time, iron culture was adopted, agriculture and handicrafts developed, and military power was strengthened. They also tried to monopolize profits by mediating trade between Korean Peninsula forces and China, taking advantage of their geographical proximity to China.
This intensified the conflict between Gojoseon and Han China, and Han China invaded Gojoseon with a large naval and land force. In the early stages of the war, Gojoseon won great victories and resisted stubbornly, but after a year of war, the capital Wanggeom-seong fell, and Gojoseon was destroyed in 108 BCE.
Part 2: The Birth of the Three Kingdoms and Various Countries
In the late Gojoseon period, new tribal states were born one after another in Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. Buyeo emerged centered on the Jilin region of Manchuria in the plains area of the Songhua River, living by agriculture and animal husbandry and producing specialties such as horses and fur.
In the early 1st century, they used the title of king and developed active foreign relations, including diplomatic relations with China, but were incorporated into Goguryeo at the end of the 3rd century. Buyeo had an event called yeonggo where they made sacrifices to heaven, enjoyed singing and dancing, and released prisoners, which was held every December. Although Buyeo declined at the stage of regional alliance, the founding forces of Goguryeo and Baekje claimed to be of Buyeo lineage, giving it important meaning in the history of the Korean people. According to the Samguk Sagi, Jumong, who came south from Buyeo, founded Goguryeo in 37 BCE.
Goguryeo flourished greatly in the area of Baekdu Mountain and the Yalu River through active conquest wars. From its founding, it conquered small countries and moved its capital to Gungnae-seong (Tonggu) near the Yalu River. They attacked the Chinese Han forces and expanded their rule to the Liaodong region, and to the east, they advanced to the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, making the Manchuria and northern Korean Peninsula regions their domain and developing into a powerful country.
There were small countries called Okjeo and Dongye in the East Sea coast area of Hamgyeong-do and northern Gangwon-do, but being on the periphery, their development was slow. Okjeo, rich in marine products, paid tribute to Goguryeo with salt and fish products. Dongye held a celestial festival called mucheon every October in the 10th month, uniting with dance and song and making sacrifices to heaven. Their specialties included a bow called dangung and a small horse called gwahama that could pass under fruit trees. These two countries were also subjugated by Goguryeo, like Buyeo.
South of Gojoseon, small states including Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan developed. Mahan, distributed in the Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Jeolla regions, consisted of 54 small states and was a country with a total of 100,000 households. There was a country called Byeonhan centered on Gimhae and Masan, and Jinhan centered on Daegu and Gyeongju. They were small countries of about 40,000-50,000 households each. The three Hans held seasonal festivals in May on Surit-nal and in October to make sacrifices to heaven. At this time, people from all over the country gathered and enjoyed alcohol, food, songs, and dance every day.
With the spread of iron culture and the development of agricultural technology, powerful states were born in Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. These were the three countries of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Among the Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo was the first to establish a state system, expanding its territory from the late 1st century, and strengthening centralization around the king in the late 2nd century. In the early 4th century, King Micheon drove the Chinese Han out of the Korean Peninsula. King Sosurim introduced Buddhism in 372, promulgated the law code, and established Taehak, a national university, organizing national institutions and governance systems. His son, King Gwanggaeto the Great, drove out the Khitan, Sushen, and East Buyeo and expanded the territory to the Manchuria region. He also attacked Baekje to the south, occupying numerous castles, and repelled the Japanese pirates who invaded Silla, expanding the territory to the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
Baekje was a country founded in 18 BCE by the combination of indigenous forces in the Han River basin and immigrant forces from Buyeo-Goguryeo. In the mid-3rd century, during the reign of King Goi, they completely dominated the Han River basin and adopted advanced Chinese culture to organize their political system. In the mid-4th century, King Geunchogo conquered the Mahan region and advanced to the south coast of Jeolla-do. To the north, they confronted Goguryeo over the Hwanghae-do region, and to the south, they exercised dominion over the Gaya region. At that time, the land ruled by Baekje extended to the wide area of today's Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, the middle reaches of the Nakdong River, Gangwon-do, and Hwanghae-do.
Silla started from Saro-guk, one of the small states of Jinhan. It grew into a state in 57 BCE through the combination of indigenous forces in the Gyeongju region and refugee and immigrant groups. People with the surnames Park, Seok, and Kim alternately ascended to the throne, and by the 4th century, they occupied almost all of the east of the Nakdong River. King Naemul allowed Goguryeo troops to be stationed in his country to drive out the Japanese who had invaded Silla, and also received Chinese culture through Goguryeo.
Meanwhile, in the lower reaches of the Nakdong River in the Byeonhan region, the Gaya Confederacy emerged with Geumgwan Gaya as its leader. The confederation, which had iron culture, influenced the Nakdong River basin area. The small countries of Gaya cultivated rice early on, blooming an agricultural culture, and actively traded with Lelang and Japan using abundant iron and maritime routes.
Silla's Unification of the Three Kingdoms
From the 5th century to the 15th century, the three countries of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla established strong king-centered ruling systems and sought expansion. King Jangsu, son of King Gwanggaeto the Great, moved the capital to Pyongyang in 427, occupied Hanseong, the capital of Baekje, and expanded his territory to the Han River region and as far as the line from Jukryeong (present-day Danyang, North Chungcheong Province and Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province) to Namyang-myeon, Gyeonggi Province. With this expansion, Goguryeo formed a vast empire in Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula and reigned as the hegemon of Northeast Asia.
When Baekje lost the Han River basin due to Goguryeo's invasion, they moved their capital to Ungjin (Gongju) in 475. After that, they strengthened their national power and made efforts to recover lost territory. King Dongseong strengthened the alliance with Silla and confronted Goguryeo. King Muryeong laid the foundation for revival by strengthening control over local areas. King Seong, son of King Muryeong, moved the capital to Sabi (Buyeo) again, reorganized the system, and recovered the Han River basin in alliance with Silla.
In the early 6th century, King Jijeung of Silla changed the country's name to Silla, organized the political system, and reorganized the capital and administrative districts. In particular, he conquered Usan-guk in 512 and incorporated it into his territory. Usan-guk is present-day Ulleungdo and its subsidiary island, Dokdo.
King Beopheung stabilized the ruling system through the promulgation of the law code, the establishment of official uniforms, and the official recognition of Buddhism, and expanded the territory by annexing Geumgwan Gaya, thus organizing the system as a centralized state. King Jinheung reorganized Hwarangdo as a national organization and greatly expanded the territory. He took the Han River basin from Baekje, destroyed Daegaya in Goryeong to occupy the entire Nakdong River basin, and expanded the territory along the east coast to the Hamheung Plain.
Sui, which unified China, invaded Goguryeo with more than a million troops but suffered a devastating defeat. In particular, General Eulji Mundeok of Goguryeo almost annihilated Sui's army at Salsu (now the Chongchon River) in 612, which is called the Battle of Salsu. Tang, which destroyed Sui in 618 when its national power was exhausted, also invaded Goguryeo several times but failed.
While Goguryeo was repelling the invasions of Sui and Tang, Baekje frequently attacked Silla. Silla attempted an alliance with Goguryeo but failed, then joined hands with Tang and invaded Baekje. The Silla army led by Kim Yu-sin defeated the Baekje suicide squad led by Gyebaek at Hwangsanbeol and advanced to Sabi-seong, the capital of Baekje. Meanwhile, the Tang army invaded through the Geumgang River estuary. Baekje, attacked by both Silla and Tang, surrendered in 660.
Silla, which destroyed Baekje, allied with Tang and attacked Goguryeo, the strongest country in Northeast Asia. Goguryeo, whose national power had been exhausted by long wars with two Chinese empires, also fell in 668.
Tang created Ungjin Dodokbu in the former land of Baekje and Andong Dohobu in the Goguryeo region for direct rule, and also established Gyerim Dodokbu in Gyeongju, the capital of Silla, plotting to dominate the Korean Peninsula. In response, Silla waged war against Tang, defeating Tang's navy at Gibeolpo in the Geumgang River estuary, completely driving out their forces, and also driving out Andong Dohobu in Pyongyang, thus unifying the Three Kingdoms in 676.
Part 3: North-South States Period - Unified Silla and Balhae
With the unification of the Three Kingdoms, Silla's territory and population greatly increased, and its economy also grew remarkably. Silla and Tang, which had once been at war during the unification process, restored friendly relations, and merchants, monks, and students from both countries frequently traveled back and forth. Trade also became active, with Silla exporting gold and silver crafts and ginseng to Tang, and importing books, pottery, silk, clothes, and crafts. Merchants and goods from the Western Regions also came to Silla via the Silk Road and sea routes.
The main ports of Silla were Ulsan Port and Danghangseong (Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province), through which goods from the Western Regions and Southeast Asia entered. In the early 9th century, Silla general Jang Bogo established Cheonghaejin (Wando, South Jeolla Province) as a base for pirate suppression and trade, creating a trading hub with China and Japan.
After the fall of Goguryeo, the resistance of Goguryeo refugees against Tang continued. In 698, Goguryeo refugees including Dae Jo-yeong established Balhae near Dongmo Mountain in Jilin Province, Manchuria, together with the Malgal tribe. With the founding of Balhae, the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria region became a situation where Silla in the south and Balhae in the north confronted each other.
Balhae expanded its territory to recover most of the former Goguryeo territory. During the reign of King Mu, they dominated northern Manchuria, and during King Mun's reign, they reorganized their system and moved the capital to Sanggyeong (present-day Ning'an County, Heilongjiang Province) around 755. Balhae took pride in succeeding Goguryeo and even expressed themselves as "King of Goryeo," meaning the king of Goguryeo, in documents sent to Japan. Balhae prospered enough to be called the "Prosperous Country of the East," but it fell in 926 due to the eruption of Mount Baekdu and the invasion of the Khitan.
Part 4: Goryeo Dynasty
In the late 8th century, Silla weakened due to power struggles among central nobles. As local control weakened, in the 10th century, local forces represented by Gyeon Hwon and Gungye established independent regimes. In 892, Gyeon Hwon founded Later Baekje with its capital in Wansan-ju, ruling the Jeolla and Chungcheong regions. In 901, Gungye, a descendant of the Silla royal family, dominated the Gangwon and Gyeonggi regions and founded Later Goguryeo in Songak (Gaeseong). He expanded his territory and reorganized the national foundation, then moved the capital to Cheorwon and changed the country's name to Taebong.
Gungye lost popular support in the process of strengthening royal power by controlling local powerful families, and was ousted by Wang Geon, a powerful figure from Songak, in 918. Wang Geon named the country Goryeo, meaning to succeed Goguryeo, and moved the capital to Songak. Goryeo attacked Later Baekje while actively pursuing a policy of embracing Silla.
In 935, Unified Silla surrendered to Goryeo and was absorbed without war. In Later Baekje, internal conflicts arose among the ruling class, and Gyeon Hwon surrendered to Wang Geon. Wang Geon attacked and destroyed Later Baekje in 936, thus unifying the Later Three Kingdoms. Goryeo accepted Confucianism as its political ideology and provided high-quality education by establishing Gukjagam and local schools. Buddhism also flourished and had a great influence on society as a whole. Events such as Yeondeunghoe and Palgwanhoe, which were fused with indigenous beliefs, were held, showing Goryeo's inclusiveness in religion.
Goryeo actively interacted with Song China and various other countries. Merchants from Song, the Western Regions, Arabia, Southeast Asia, and Japan frequently visited Byeokrando, the gateway to the capital Gaeseong. Song merchants sold silk and medicinal herbs, while Goryeo merchants sold hemp cloth and ginseng. Ivory, crystal, amber, and other jewels came from the Arab region. The name "Korea" by which Korea is called in English originates from this "Goryeo."
The Goryeo period boasts a brilliant culture. The inlaid celadon, which uses the "sanggam" technique of carving and filling patterns on the surface of jade-colored pottery, is a unique work of art not found anywhere else in the world.
The Tripitaka Koreana, which carved Buddhist scriptures on 81,258 wooden printing blocks and printed them on paper, is the essence of Buddhist culture of this era and the pinnacle of woodblock printing in the world. Goryeo people also invented the world's first metal movable type. According to Korean historical records, Goryeo invented metal printing technology more than 200 years before the West. The existing printed material is a book called "Jikji" published in 1377. This book, which predates the first Western metal movable type printed book in 1455 by 78 years, is housed in the National Library of France and was registered as a World Documentary Heritage in 2001.
War with the Mongols
In the early 13th century, the situation in China changed dramatically. The Mongols, a nomadic people, formed a unified state, destroyed the Jin Dynasty of China, and expanded their power to the Korean Peninsula. The Mongols invaded Goryeo seven times from the first invasion in 1231. Goryeo moved its capital to Ganghwa Island and fought fierce battles against the Mongol army, with not only soldiers but also civilians and slaves joining in.
In 1259, peace was achieved between the two countries, and the Yuan Dynasty accepted all six demands of Goryeo, including guaranteeing the existence of the Goryeo kingdom and the immediate withdrawal of Mongol troops. This was the result of Goryeo's persistent resistance against the Mongols who tried to directly rule Goryeo. Although peace was established, the Sambyeolcho army, which had been resisting the Mongols, enthroned an emperor and continued the war, ruling the southern part of the Korean Peninsula with Jindo as their base. When Jindo fell, they moved to Jeju Island and resisted until 1273.
Goryeo's resistance against the Mongol army, then the world's strongest empire, for 42 years was a symbol of tenacious fighting spirit. However, in the process, the land was devastated, people's lives were impoverished, and numerous cultural heritages including the 9-story pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple were destroyed by the Mongol army.
Part 5: Joseon Dynasty
In the late 14th century, Goryeo suffered from internal and external troubles, including excessive concentration of power by the noble families, and invasions by the Red Turban Army and Japanese pirates. General Yi Seong-gye, who gained popular support by repelling the Red Turban Army and Japanese pirates, and his forces drove out the king of Goryeo and supported Yi Seong-gye as the first king of the new dynasty, Taejo. After his accession, Taejo changed the country's name to Joseon and designated Hanyang (present-day Seoul), which was geomantically auspicious, as the capital, ordering the construction of the castle, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, roads, and markets.
Hanyang was not only located in the center of the Korean Peninsula, but also allowed domestic and international exchanges through the Han River, making it an optimal location for the capital.
Taejong, Taejo's son, stabilized royal power and laid the foundation for the country. He implemented the household register system to grasp the population of the whole country and established a centralized system where the six ministries (Personnel, Finance, Rites, Military, Justice, and Public Works) directly reported to the king. Sejong, Taejong's son, opened the heyday of politics, society, and culture. He established Jiphyeonjeon (Hall of Worthies) to develop policies and research the direction the country should take. During the period from King Sejo to King Seongjong, they compiled a law book called Gyeongguk Daejeon to establish a permanent ruling system, which further stabilized the ruling system of the Joseon dynasty.
Creation of Hangeul
Korea had used Chinese characters since ancient dynasties. They also used Idu and Hyangchal, which borrowed Chinese characters to write Korean, but there was a desperate need for a script that could be easily learned and written to freely express thoughts.
Recognizing this, King Sejong created Hangeul in 1443 and promulgated it in 1446. Hangeul, modeled after the shape of speech organs, is the world's most scientific and easy-to-learn script, dramatically improving communication between the government and the people. Since then, it has played a decisive role in laying the foundation for Korea as a cultural nation.
Development of Science and Technology
Science and technology also developed remarkably during the Joseon period. Water clocks like Jagyeongnu, sundials like Angbuilgu, and astronomical observation instruments like Honcheonsigye were made.
The world's first rain gauge was produced to measure rainfall, and Injiui and Gyuiihyeong were used to survey land and make maps. During Taejo's reign, Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunya Jido, a star chart based on the astronomical map from the Goguryeo period, was created, and during Sejong's reign, Chiljeongsan, based on China's Shoushi calendar and the Islamic calendar, was made. In the field of medicine, books like Hyangyak Jipseongbang, which organized medicines and treatment methods suitable for the local climate, and Uibang Yuchwi, a medical encyclopedia, were compiled. Printing technology with movable type also developed, with metal types like Gyemija and Gabinja being developed, and numerous books being printed.
Joseon's Foreign Relations
From its founding, Joseon maintained friendly relations with Ming China. They exchanged envoys every year, and cultural and economic exchanges were active. They also accepted Japan's request and opened three ports - Busan, Jinhae, and Ulsan - allowing trade, and in 1443, they concluded the Gyehae Agreement to trade within a limited scope. They also exchanged with various Asian countries including Ryukyu, Siam, and Java.
Development of Craft Techniques
One of the representative crafts of the Joseon period is pottery. The royal family and government offices widely used buncheong ware or white porcelain. Buncheong ware, which has a modest and stable appearance with white clay powder applied to celadon, was widely used in the early Joseon period. Joseon's pottery technology continued to innovate, developing to the point of making sophisticated white porcelain by the 16th century. Joseon white porcelain, which has a clean and simple appearance continuing the tradition of Goryeo, was widely used in harmony with the taste of scholar culture.
Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592
From the 14th century when Joseon was founded until the 15th century, relations with Japan were amicable. However, entering the 16th century, Japan demanded more trade, but Joseon did not comply.
The Japanese caused disturbances in Joseon society with incidents like the Japanese Disturbance of the Three Ports in 1510 and the Eulsa Japanese Invasion in 1555. Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan after 120 years of turmoil in the Warring States period. To disperse the power of the feudal lords and stabilize his rule, he mobilized a large army of 200,000 to invade Joseon. This war, which lasted for 7 years from 1592 to 1598 in two phases, is called the Imjin War.
While the Joseon king fled to Uiju and requested military support from Ming China, the Japanese army invaded as far as Pyongyang and Hamgyeong Province. In response, righteous armies rose up all over the country. Especially, the navy led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Joseon's greatest naval commander, won consecutive victories, securing control of the sea and protecting the granary of Honam, cutting off the supply lines of the Japanese army and breaking their momentum. Moreover, when Japan invaded again in 1597, Admiral Yi Sun-sin won a great victory that will remain in world military history, fighting with 13 ships against 133 Japanese warships. This is called the Battle of Myeongnyang.
The Japanese army retreated as their defeat became apparent and Toyotomi Hideyoshi died. Due to the Japanese invasion, many cultural properties including Bulguksa Temple were lost. However, Japan learned advanced scholarship and art through the books, movable type, and paintings they plundered, and especially, the potters they abducted from Joseon developed their pottery culture.
Development of Commoner Culture
In the late Joseon period, as commerce and industry developed and seodang education spread, the quality of life for commoners improved and entertainment culture diversified. Korean novels were distributed, and performance cultures like pansori and mask dance developed. Especially pansori, which delivers specific stories through singing and narration, gained wide popularity. It developed as a representative commoner culture as the performers could add or subtract from the story, and the audience could also enjoy it together with exclamations.
In the late 19th century, Sin Jae-hyo created and organized pansori narratives. Today, five pansori pieces are passed down: Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Heungboga, Jeokbyeokga, and Sugungga, which are called the Five Pansori Pieces. Mask plays and sandae nori were also popular as public entertainment.
Part 6: The Fall of Joseon, Japanese Colonization of Korea
After the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, capitalism developed in the West and large corporations were born. Western empires expanded overseas to Asia, Africa, and other regions to establish colonies.
In the mid-19th century, Western powers that had opened China and Japan demanded trade with Joseon, but the Joseon government refused. In 1866, they repelled the attack of the French fleet, and in 1871, the American fleet.
The pressure did not stop. In 1875, Japan sent the warship Unyo Maru to attack Ganghwa Island and Yeongjong Island and demanded opening. Due to Japan's demands and Qing's advice, Joseon signed the Korea-Japan Treaty of Amity in Ganghwa in 1876. Often called the Treaty of Ganghwa, this treaty was an unequal treaty that only recognized Japan's rights under military threat.
Afterwards, imperialist powers including Japan competitively plundered Joseon's resources. In response, Joseon changed its name to the "Korean Empire" in 1897 and pursued reforms and openness, including fostering education and industry, but it was not enough. Japan, which had won wars against Qing China and Russia, gained hegemony in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. Patriotic Koreans represented by An Jung-geun sacrificed their lives to appeal to the international community about the injustice of Japanese invasion, but in vain. In August 1910, the Korean Empire succumbed to Japanese imperialism's bayonets and became a colony of Japanese imperialism.
Part 7: Independence Struggle
During colonial rule, Japan not only plundered Korea's resources but also forced Koreans to change their unique language, script, and even names, and forcibly mobilized Koreans as labor and military force for imperialist wars. Meanwhile, Koreans continued intense struggles for the restoration of national sovereignty both domestically and abroad. Domestically, they organized numerous anti-Japanese organizations such as the Independence Army Corps, the Korean National Sovereignty Recovery Group, and the Korea Independence Association to resist. They also established bases for independence movements in China, Russia, and the United States. They also conducted a peaceful independence demonstration unprecedented in the world.
The March 1st Movement of 1919, where the Declaration of Independence was announced and students and citizens held Manse demonstrations nationwide, was one such movement. This movement spread to Manchuria, the Maritime Province of Siberia, the United States, Japan, and Europe. After the March 1st Movement, the Hanseong Provisional Government was established in Seoul, the Korean National Council in the Maritime Province, and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. Especially, the Provisional Government was Korea's first democratic republic with a modern constitution and separation of powers.
Along with this, full-scale armed independence wars were waged, and in the 1920s, about 30 independence army units were active in Manchuria and the Maritime Province. Representative independence wars include the Battle of Bongodong in June 1920, where the Korean Independence Army led by Hong Beom-do greatly defeated the Japanese army in Jilin Province, China, and the Battle of Cheongsanri in October 1920, where the Northern Route Military and Political Administration Office led by Kim Jwa-jin and several allied forces annihilated the Japanese army in Helong County, Manchuria.
Meanwhile, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea organized the Korean Liberation Army in Chongqing in 1940, gathering the independence armies in the Manchuria region and scattered armed struggle organizations. The Provisional Government declared war on Japan and participated in the Indian and Myanmar fronts jointly with the Allied forces. Korean youth agents who received special military training in cooperation with the United States also prepared for operations to penetrate into Korea.
On August 15, 1945, thanks to the tenacious independence struggles of Koreans and the victory of the Allied forces in World War II, the Korean people achieved liberation. However, the Korean Peninsula was divided into north and south as U.S. and Soviet troops stationed on either side of the 38th parallel to disarm the Japanese army.
Source: 뉴욕한국문화원
(https://kr.koreanculture.org/korea-information-history)