Ever been on a North Korea tour, heard the word Koryo, and thought, what the hell does that mean? OK, now say it out loud: “Koryo – Korea”, “Korea – Koryo”. That’s it. Koryo got anglicized into Korea because it was easier to spit out for foreigners.
South Korea calls themselves the Republic of Korea (대한민국, Daehan Minguk), and North Korea calls themselves the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (조선민주주의인민공화국, Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk). All of this goes back to the Koryo Dynasty.
Table of Contents
What was the Koryo Dynasty?
Koryo ruled from 918 to 1392. Wang Geon, a general tired of endless local warlords and petty kings, grabbed power and unified the peninsula. Koryo wasn’t a soft, cultured empire sitting on tea and poetry—it was a functioning state, tough enough to survive attacks from China and the Mongols, but smart enough to trade with Japan, China, and even parts of the Middle East.
They made some of the most insane pottery the world has ever seen, green celadon that still blows people’s minds, and invented metal movable type printing long before Gutenberg. Buddhism was everywhere, shaping temples, schools, and culture. Politics was messy, kings were weak at times, but Koryo survived through savvy diplomacy, tribute, and the occasional bending of the knee. Five hundred years of this, and they left a Korea you’d recognize today.
The decline of Koryo and the renaming of the country/countries
By the late 14th century, Koryo was falling apart—corrupt officials, weak kings, constant rebel attacks. General Yi Seong-gye decided enough was enough and kicked the dynasty out, founding Joseon (조선, Chosŏn) in 1392. He moved the capital to Hanyang, which is modern-day Seoul, and built a Confucian bureaucracy that lasted over 500 years. Joseon shaped Korea’s social system, culture, and government to the point it defined the nation.
Jump to the 20th century: Japan invades, colonizes, and Korea gets split in 1945. South becomes the Republic of Korea (대한민국, Daehan Minguk), North becomes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (조선민주주의인민공화국, Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk). The line is clear: Koryo to Joseon to North/South Korea. The names changed, but the influence of Koryo is still everywhere—government, education, and identity.
What does Koryo mean?
Koryo (고려) literally means “high” or “noble,” but it also became shorthand for the kingdom itself. Wang Geon picked it to link himself to the older Goguryeo kingdom and to show that this was a real, serious state. Europeans heard “Koryo” and turned it into Korea. The word is old, proud, and basically says, “This is Korea, deal with it.” It carries a thousand years of history in a single syllable.
Other uses of the word Koryo
Being synonymous with the word Korea Koryo is used for everything from airlines to drinks and even restaurants. And this is the case for both the north and south of the country. Mostly famously in the west though is perhaps Koryo Tours, who like us take people to North Korea. Not to be confused of course with Kimchi Tours.
They were for example in charge of the Pyongyang Marathon that was recently cancelled. They are though not even the only tours company to be called Koryo Tours with at least one North Korean state run enterprise incorporating the words Koryo and tours.
Fun fact and almost inspired by Koryo Tours I nearly called YPT Joseon Tours. Thankfully I did not, which is why it has been relatively easy for us to expand globally.
In the North there is of course Air Koryo, the national flag carrier, but it does not stop there. I once opened an account at Koryo Bank, which ironically is located in the Yanggakdo Hotel. And while the north no longer aims for reunification, when it did it was gonna be called the Confederal Republic of Koryo, while any transition state in the north has oft been referred to as Republic of Koryo.
And there is not just the Koryo Hotel, one of the best in Pyongyang, but also the Koryo Hotel Restaurant, my personal favorite restaurant in Dandong – when they let me in that is.
So, that’s why you hear all about Koryo!
Click to see our North Korean Tours.
About Post Author
