Korea emerged as a singular political entity after centuries of conflict among the Three Kingdoms of

Korea, which were unified as Later Silla to the south and Balhae to the north. Later Silla divided into
three separate states during the Later Three Kingdoms period. Goryeo, which had
succeeded Goguryeo, defeated the two other states and united the Korean Peninsula. Around the
same time, Balhae collapsed and its last crown prince fled south to Goryeo. Goryeo (also spelled
as Kory), whose name developed into the modern exonym "Korea", was a highly cultured state that
created the world's first metal movable type in 1234.[4][5][6][7][8][9] However, multiple invasions by
the Mongol Yuan Dynasty during the 13th century greatly weakened the nation, which eventually
agreed to become a vassal state after decades of fighting. Following the Yuan Dynasty's collapse,
severe political strife followed, and Goryeo eventually fell to a coup led by General Yi Seong-gye,
who established Joseon in 1388.