Joseon Dynasty
The Joseon Dynasty was founded in 1392 by Korean general Yi Seonggye (Taejo), who overthrew the former kingdom of Goryeo and established the kingdom of Joseon in a coup d'etat, simultaneously ending the period of Mongol domination that had begun in 1259. It is sometimes referred to as Yi Dynasty or Lee Dynasty after its founder. This name, however, is not popular in Korea.During the Joseon Dynasty, a centralized administrative system was installed and Confucianism adopted. With Confucianism there was a new moral system established in Korea.
In 1592 and 1597 Korea was invaded by Japanese troops, but these invasions were eventually resisted in 1598 with Chinese help. Following these events the kingdom became increasingly isolationist. The rulers sought to cut off all contact to foreign countries. This is why Korea is sometimes known as the hermit kingdom.
More than a century later, in the 17th century, the Manchus defeated the Ming dynasty, and the Korean rulers were forced to pay tribute to the Chinese rulers. By the middle of the 19th century, Japan and China disputed over the Korean peninsula. After defeating China in 1894-1895 Japan increased its influence on Korea. The country became a protectorate, and after forcing King Kojong to abdicate his throne and assassinating his wife, Queen MyeongSeongHwangHu, annexed the country as a colony in 1910. This ended the Joseon Dynasty and began a 35 year period of Japanese atrocities including millions of Koreans subjected to slave labor, forced prostitution, murder, torture, and "Japanization".
Joseon Dynasty recorded its history as Annals of Joseon Dynasty.