1) Korea is located in East Asia between China and Japan, with unique geography that influenced the spread of Buddhism and Confucianism in the region. 2) Three kingdoms emerged during Han rule over Korea, but in the 600s the Silla kingdom defeated the others and gained control over the Korean peninsula. 3) The Koryu dynasty lasted from 935 to 1392 and was modeled after China, establishing a Confucian exam system and university, but society remained sharply divided between aristocracy and commoners.