Koryu Dynasty
The Koryu Dynasty had a king named Wang Kon and gained control of Silla and the country. The Koryu lasted 4 and half centuries beginning in 935. The dynasty shaped its central government after China's. It also settled a civil service system, however this system did not provide equal social mobility for the Koreans that it did for the Chinese. The Koryu Dynasty was sharply divided between a landed aristocracy and the rest of the population, including the military, commoners, and slaves. The sons of nobles received the best positions regardless of the examination scores, the positions became hereditary. The dynasty faced a severe threat 1231, when the Mongols swept into Korea. The Mongols pressed a crushing tribute of 20,000 horses, clothing for 1 million soldiers, and many children and artisans, who were to be taken away as slaves. This bitter Mongol period lasted until the 1360's, when the Mongols collapsed. Koryu Dynasty era did produce great achievements in Korean culture. Koreans potters also produced celadon pottery, famous for its milky green glaze. This artwork was inspired by the Song porcelain artists. Not only that, Korean artisans produced one of the great treasures of the Buddhist world, which was many large wooden blocks for printing. In 1392, an association of scholar-officials and military leaders dethroned the Koryu Dynasty.
