Unified kingdoms

An area in the North was left where a rebel state, Parhae existed for a short while, until it collapsed. During this period there was absolute monarchy, and a branch of Buddhism was practised by the aristocracy. The general public practised another branch which promised bliss in the next life! Confucianism was practised among low-level aristocrats, for political advancement. When Korea was united by Silla, China & Korea had a friendly military alliance because they had common enemies - Mongols / Manchurians / nomadic peoples. At the time, Chinese culture was more advanced than the Koreans. Eventually, central power began to wane due to coups, rebellions etc. Provincial fortresses were built to repel Japanese pirates.
Some aristocrats became really powerful, and had their own private armies. Castle lords were also powerful. Farmers were taxed both by the central government and castle lords - as a result many became drifters, rebels and robbers.

The Koryo dynasty ( 918 - 1392)

Eventually the united kingdoms disintegrated again, until Koryo eventually re-unified them. Martial arts had developing systematically since the period of the three-kingdoms, and finally reached an almost perfect practical stage. Not only were they used as actual martial arts ( compulsory for warriors - the techniques and power reached the level of weapons, high enough to kill ) - they also formed the foundation of games or sports. They also became an important factor in deciding social class and position - eg official rank and promotion of soldiers.
During this period, much land was taken away by the aristocracy. Buddhism and Confucianism existed together.

In 1231 the Mongols invaded, and met such fierce resistance that they were unable to conquer the country. However, there was even worse exploitation of farmers by the government - civilians eventually overthrew it and signed a peace treaty with the Mongols. Many farmers became servants, so that they didn't have to pay tax or be forced to serve in the military.

The Yi dynasty (1392-1910)
The Koryo dynasty ended in 1392, to be replaced by the Yi dynasty, which lasted all the way till 1910, when the Japanese annexed Korea. During this period, Buddhism fell out of favour - it was very corrupt, and Confucianism & Neo-Confucianism became the official religions. During the reign of Sejong the Great, there was vast cultural progress - books were printed on medicine,astronomy etc. There were many reforming scholars - eg Yi Hwang ( T'oe Gye) and Yi Yi (Yul Gok) who both had distinct theories of the Universe. One aspect of Buddhism falling from grace and Confucianism & Neo-Confucianism taking its place was that the martial arts began to decline. People who practised them were considered inferior, it was considered better to practise poetry and other refined activities.
First Japanese invasion
In 1592, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Japanese ruler, sent an army to Korea with the intention of invading China. Korea's land forces suffered many defeats, but naval forces under the command of Admiral Yi Sun Sin secured full control of the sea. He won the greatest naval victory in Korean history over the Japanese off the southern coast. Almost all types of people resisted the Japanese, including Ming Chinese. After a year, the Japanese withdrew. There was another invasion later, but Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, and the Japanese withdrew again. Much of Korea had been devastated; some scholars and artisans were taken to Japan to teach their skills to the less - advanced Japanese.

During the 1600's there were invasions of Korea by Manchus, who also overthrew the Ming in China.

In 1860, a new religion called TongHak was established by Ch'oeChu . There were many conflicts with the outside world, because Korea was a closed society - there was a national isolation policy. The French and US navies both tried to open up Korea and both were beaten back. The Japanese sent a fleet, and pressurised the Koreans to sign a treaty of trade & friendship, and open up their ports. There was also heavy influence from the Chinese, who stationed soldiers in Korea. The Chinese also made the Koreans sign a treaty favourable to them.
The Li-Ho convention was drawn up to lay down the Sino-Japanese balance of power in Korea.

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