The Korean Joseon Dynasty, lasting from 1392 to 1897, was a significant period in Korean history. Founded by Yi Seong-gye, it established a centralized government and promoted Confucianism as the state ideology. This era is known for its advancements in science, literature, and the arts, as well as the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangul, by King Sejong in the 15th century. During the Joseon period, Korea experienced social and political changes, including the rise of a scholar-official class known as the yangban. The dynasty faced internal strife and external threats, notably from the Japanese invasions in the late 16th century and the Manchu invasions in the 17th century, which ultimately led to its decline.