Central Asians migrated to the Korean Peninsula about 5000 years ago. According to Korean legend, the "Grandson of Heaven" Dangun Wanggeom founded Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, in 2333 B.C.
South Korea was initially unified in the 7th century from three different Korean states. It was annexed by the Empire of Japan in 1910, and remained that way until formal Japanese rule ended in 1945 with Japan's surrender during World War II.
South Korea separated from North Korea in 1953, following the end of the Korean War.
