First Major Invasion of Korea: The Chinese Qin Dynasty's Expansion

The first recorded large-scale expansion into the Korean Peninsula was by the Qin Dynasty (China) under Qin Shi Huang (First Emperor, r. 221–210 BCE).

Details

• 221 BCE: Qin unified China; turned to frontier consolidation.
• 215 BCE: General Meng Tian led 300,000 troops north against the Xiongnu and east toward Korea.
• Established Four Commanderies in former Gojoseon territory (Lelang, Xuantu, Lintun, Zhenfan) — centered on Pyongyang area.
• Lelang Commandery lasted ~400 years (until 313 CE), becoming a Sinicized administrative and cultural hub.

Significance

Introduced Chinese writing, Confucianism, iron technology, centralized administration. Set pattern of Chinese influence/incursion recurring over two millennia (Han, Tang, Ming, Qing).

Later major invasions: Mongols (13th c.), Japanese (1592–98), Manchus (1627, 1636), Japan (1910–45).