Korea after the Joseon Era
Literature Review
Khwezi Zungu
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How the Joseon Era Contributed to the Split of Korea
According to the article “Korea at a Glance” the Joseon dynasty began in the 15th century 1392 when General Yi Seong-Gye conquered Goryeo a neighbouring kingdom founded by Wang Geon. The early rulers of Joseon disliked the dominant influence of Buddhism introduced by Goryeo rulers during the Goryeo dynasty, and instead adopted Confucianism ideology. The introduction of Confucianism into the daily lives of the average Korean involved a change involving a different political system, which included recruiting government officials through civil service examination system. The exams were the basis to limiting social mobility and intellectual activity. However Confucian influenced society highly regarded education and valued learning whilst detesting commerce and manufacturing. The fourth monarch of Joseon was King Se-Jong the Great brought an unprecedented blossoming of culture and art, along with the creation of Hangeul the Korean alphabet later named the Hunmnjeongeum. In order to maintain a basic ruling structure king Se-Jong placed a legal system and initiated the…show more content… President Rhee’s plans involved “establishing a separate government in South Korea” where democracy and a market economy were key. Meanwhile on the other side of the Peninsula a communist regime was being established by Kim Il-sung with the support of the Soviet Union. As most conflicting ideals that influence neighbouring countries, a war became the result of the attempt at an invasion by the North to the South. The war lasted for 3 incredibly brutal years while drawing in foreign forces like the US and China, the Peninsula was destroyed in the conflict symbolising the great divide of a once united