Angela & Shalini China

During the Silla Dynasty, arts flourished and the Buddhism influence grew powerful. Korea traded with China and learned about Chinese culture and its written language.

The Choson Dynasty was founded in 1392 by Korean general, Yi Song-gye. During this dynasty, the government turned to Confucian principals rather than Buddhism. One of this dynasty's greatest accomplishments was the creation of the written Korean language called, "hongul". As a result, Korea's literacy rate increased. Later in the 1590s, a Japanese ruler wanted to invade China through Korea. The Japanese ransacked and destroyed Korean villages, until Korean Admiral Yi Sun-shin used "turtle ships", or heavily armored ships, to defeat the Japanese fleet. Six years later, the Japanese fled carrying off Korean artisans to learn skills of Korea.