HISTORY OF KOREA The history of Korea dates back to 7,000 BCE when the region was inhabited by various tribes. In 668 CE, the Silla Kingdom was established on the Korean Peninsula, which was followed by the Goryeo Dynasty in 918 CE. In 1392, the Joseon Dynasty was established, which lasted until 1897. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan, and the Korean people suffered under Japanese colonial rule until the end of WWII in 1945. After the capitulation of Japan, Korea was divided into two parts: the Soviet part - North Korea, which later became a communist state, and the American part - South Korea, which became a democratic country in 1948.