Medieval Korea: from the Goryeo to Joseon periods

Medieval Korea, spanning the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties from 918 to the 1590s, established a centralized, Confucian-influenced society that persisted for centuries. The national origin myth features a bear and a tiger competing to become human through a trial of garlic and wormwood, reflecting deep-seated cultural narratives. Social order relied on the *yangban* aristocracy, while a unique, continuous system of slavery persisted until the 19th century, despite legal avenues for manumission. King Sejong the Great revolutionized literacy by introducing Hangul, a phonetic alphabet that significantly expanded popular education. The period faced intense geopolitical pressure, including Mongol vassalization and devastating Japanese invasions in the 1590s. Throughout this era, Korea maintained a distinct identity, balancing complex tributary relationships with China against internal political reforms and the strategic environmental management of essential timber resources.