The Yi Dynasty
In A.D. 1392 a dynasty known as the Yi Dynasty came to power in Korea. Yi rulers built a new capital city, which they named Hanyang. Hanyang would become the present day city of Seoul, which for many years was the modern capital of Korea.
Under Yi rulers the Koreans developed many cultural advancements, including an alphabet, advancements in weather forecasting, and advancements in war technology.
These advancements in wartime technologies allowed helped them to defend themselves against outside attacks, and allowed them to maintain their independence for centuries.