Explain in what ways/areas Korea was able to develop a civilization distinct from China

They both shared almost the same types of cultures, tools, and pottery work.

Explanation:

the mongolian invasion of china and central asia resulted in a disruption of the silk road as the chinese garrisons lost support from the chinese kingdoms which fell under the mongols. however, as the mongols established a formal dynasty in china, the successors of genghis khan restored the garrisons along the silk road allowing the safe travel caravans again.