500,000 years ago Archeological findings have indicated the beginnings of settlement in the Korean Peninsula. 2333 B.C. The mythical figure Dan-gun founded Go-Joseon, the first Korean Kingdom at Pyeong-yang in the northern part of the peninsula. 57 B.C.~A.C. 668 The Three Kingdoms Period. A golden age of culture with distinct contributions from each Kingdom. Goguryeo Kingdom(37 B.C. - A.D. 668) Baekje Kingdom(18 B.C. - A.D. 660) Silla Kingdom(57 B.C. - A.D. 676) A.D. 676~935 Unified Silla Kingdom(Capital : Gyeongju). A.D. 918~1392 Goryeo Dynasty (Capital: Gaeseong, located in North Korea). Buddhism became the state religion and greatly influenced politics and culture. Overseas trade boomed. The name "Korea" derives from the Goryeo Dynasty since Arabian tradesmen started calling Goryeo "Corre." 1392~1910 Joseon Dynasty(Capital : Seoul). The peninsula's final dynasty. Confucianism as the state ideology exerted a massive influence over the whole of society. Han-geul, the Korean alphabet, was invented in 1443, during the reign of King Sejong. 1910~1945 Japanese colonial rule. 1945(August 15) Japan surrendered to the Allies and withdrew from the Korean Peninsula. The Korean Peninsula is divided into 2 areas. The north controlled by the Soviet Union and the south by the U.S. 1948 The Korean was divided into two countries : the Republic of Korea(capitalist South Korea), and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (communist North Korea). 1950~1953 Korean War, armistice signed. 1972 to present Negotiations between South and North Korea for peace and reunification continue. 1988 Hosting of the 24th Olympiad, which marked the beginning of relations with Central and Eastern Europe. September, 1991 South and North Korea were simultaneously admitted to the United Nations. June, 2000 Historic summit talks between South and North Korea in Pyung-yang, the capital of the north. 2000 ArReunions of separated families during the Korean War in capitals respetively.