Slide 1: A Brief Korean History HK
Slide 2: Prehistoric Korea Archaeological evidence shows that hominids first inhabited the Korean Peninsula 700,000 years ago, though some North Koreans claim it may have been inhabited for 1,000,000 years. Tool-making artifacts from the Palaeolithic period (700,000 BC to 40,000 BC) have been found in present-day North Hamgyong, South P'yongan, Gyeonggi, and north and south Chungcheong Provinces. The people were cave dwellers and built homes, using fire for cooking food and warmth. They hunted, gathered and fished with stone tools.
Slide 3: Cheo ng maeb ja ùnhak sangg y am m treasu eong, the 68th re of nation un Korea al . t Great a and Eigh m t he Amitabh o scroll fro , Gorye dhisattvas Bo 1300s.
Slide 4: Brief The first kingdom on the Korean peninsula, choson, was formed in 2333 BC. From 57 BC-668 AD the Ko- kingdoms Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla ruled the Korean peninsula and much of Manchuria. Hence, the period is known as the Three Kingdoms Period. Koguryo and Paekche were ultimately by Shilla in 676 AD, Shilla unified the peninsula. The vanquished Unified Shilla Period, 676-935 AD, was a golden age for Korean culture. The advancements of the area in Buddhist arts are especially noteworthy.
Slide 5: During the succeeding Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD) an aristocratic government was instituted. Buddhism was established as the state religion and came to have great influence in the political and administrative spheres. The name 'Korea' is actually derived from 'Koryo'. The last dynasty on the peninsula, The Choson Dynasty (1392-1910 AD), was the peninsula's last dynasty. During this period various political and economic reforms were enacted. The most prominent of these was the adaptation of Confucianism as the state ideology. The surge of creative literary endeavors and the invention of Han-gul (the Korean alphabet) in 1443 only adds to the cultural significance this period had.
Slide 6: Hanyang, now known as Seoul, was established as the dynasty's capital city in 1394. Palaces and other buildings erected during this period can still be seen in the city today. The Japanese invasion of the peninsula in 1910 ended the Choson Dynasty. Korea remained under Japanese colonial rule for 35 years until the end of World War II. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies and withdrew from the Korean peninsula. Since then, it has been divided into two. The Republic of Korea in the south established an independent government three years later. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. An armistice agreement was signed in 1953, after 3 years of civil war.
Slide 7: Ancient History 2333 BC - 313 AD The Chosun nation first formed from the various Tungusic tribes (a subdivision of the Ural-Altaic people) from Mongolia. The first dynasty of note was the Tan'gun dynasty, a theocracy which ruled from Pyongyang from 2333 BC 1122 BC. The historical and cultural accuracy our knowledge of this dynasty is still debated today. Nonetheless, it was later usurped by the Kija Dynasty (1122 BC - 194 BC), which was founded by a Chinese scholar. In 108 BC the Han Dynasty of China extended into North Korea, turning the North into the Lolang Province (ed. note: Lolang is the US spelling, Nangnang is the preferred Korean spelling). Chinese cultural influence thus spread into Korea, resulting in Korean adoption of a centralized beaurocracy, Confucianism, and others.
Slide 8: The Three Kingdo ms Period 37 BC - 935 AD In the Southwest was the Ma Han. In the Southeast was the Pyon Han. And in the middle was the Chin Han.
Slide 9: In 37 BC the Koguryo invaded the North from Southern Manchuria, and formed a new Northern kingdom which competed heavily with the Lolang Province (eventually defeating them in 313 AD). With such pressure from the North, the Chin Han and Pyon Han merged, to form the Silla Dynasty in 57 BC. The Ma Han meanwhile had evolved into the Paekche (Paikje) Dynasty, and the two (Silla and Paekche) eventually allied (with possibly Japan) to defend against the Koguryo. During this turbulent time, especially around 372 AD , Buddhism and Confucianism were widely introduced to the Korean Peninsula, with colleges and Chinese classics quickly adopted. By 660 AD the Silla, allied with the Tang Chinese, finally conquered the Paekche (despite Japanese interference on the latter's behalf), unifying the South. Again allied to the Tang Chinese, the Silla defeated the Koguryo in 668 AD, finally unifying the Korean Peninsula.
Slide 10: The Unified Silla adopted Confucianism, merging it with uniquely Korean Monarchy theory. In essence, high positions in administration were determined by a mix of family connections and Confusion principles. The country was divided into nine provinces, with each province run by officials loyal to the central administration. The Central Administration, in turn, was composed of high ranking civilian and military officials. Both Confucianism and Buddhism flourished in the relatively stable atmosphere of the Unified Silla.
Slide 11: Koryo Dynasty 935 AD - 1392 AD Northern dissidents of the Silla established themselves, and led by General Wangkun formed the Koryo Dynasty in the North in 918. By 935 the Silla surrendered, and a new capital for the Koyro Dynasty was established as Kaesung. Sweeping social changes were enacted, including the nationalization of farms, the disbanding of private armies, installation of Chinese style exam systems, and separation of the government into a central aristocratic administration and a separate military administration. During this time Buddhism was adopted as the official religion, and monks and priests entered government ranks. One of the great Buddhist artifacts was created at this time, the 81,240 wooden block carvings of the Tripitaka. This enormous collection of Buddhist scripture was carefully carved into wooden blocks for printing, and can still be seen today.
Slide 12: By 1123 the Koryo had begun to fracture into separate rival factions. This was accelerated in part by the Mongol invasion of 1231 AD and conquest in 1270 AD. In a little known footnote to history, in 1234 bronze movable type was invented. However, this invention was never exploited by the people of the time, and it's significance on politics, economy, religion, and humanity in general was left for the West to discover several hundred years later. Koryo was turned into a vessel of the Khan, and the people were heavily taxed to fund the attempted invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281. Korean men were also conscripted into service for the invasion attempts. Koryo remained subservient to the Mongols until 1368, when it finally broke free. However, the damage had been done, and in 1392 General Yi took over, founding the Yi dynasty and moving it's capital to Seoul.
Slide 13: Y i D ynasty and Japanese Invasions 1392 AD - 1598 AD After moving the Capital to Seoul, the Yi Dynasty reestablished ties with Ming Dynasty China. Neoconfusianism was established as the official religion, and Buddhism was severely persecuted. Most modern Korean Confucianism today can be traced back to this widespread establishment of Neoconfusianism. In 1443 AD King Sae Jong (1418 AD - 1450 AD) developed Hangul, the Korean writing system (alphabet) which is the standard today. (His portrait adorns the 100 won coin and the 1,000 won bill . currency equivalent in usage to the US quarter and dollar bill).
Slide 14: However, the stable reign of the Yi Dynasty was not to last forever, and in 1576 AD the court split into East and West factions. This split was soon followed by the attempted Japanese invasion of China in 1592. While Japanese armies were able to defeat Korean troops on the battlefield, the navel engagements were decidedly in Korea's favor. Admiral Yi's resounding victories were so great that he has become a mythic figure in Korean military history, still regarded as the greatest Korean military leader. However, his navel victories were not enough to hold off the Japanese, which occupied Southern Korea until they were finally driven out in 1598. The invasions didn't end until 1627, when the Manchu's invaded, and Korean became a vessel state of the Ching Dynasty.
Slide 15: Colonial Ko rea 1777 AD - 1905 AD In 1777 AD Catholicism was introduced in Korea when a Korean man, who had traveled to China and had observed Catholic missionaries, brought back the religion to his village. It would be several years before formal missionaries arrived, but already the presence of Western influence in Korea was seen as undesirable, and by the turn of the century Prince Tae Won Kun had closed the country to Westerners. In 1894 the Tonghak revolution began, causing great civil unrest in Korea. The ruling class asked China to send in troops to put down the rebellion which was growing out of control. However, the presence of Chinese troops, as well as the civil unrest, were used by Japan as an excuse to send in their own troops. The resulting war between China and Japan was finally ended in 1895 AD.
Slide 16: Fresh from their victory over China, Japanese colonial expansion continued, bumping into the other major regional player, Russia, which had been expanding their own imperialist efforts. The resulting RussoJapanese war of 1905 AD left Japan as the only major power, free to fully exploit Korea in a quest for imperial glory.
Slide 17: Japanese Exploitation 1905 AD - 1945 AD By 1905 AD Japan had assumed administration over Korea, which technically remained a separate country (although pretty much in name only). By 1910 AD even that farce was eliminated with the formal annexation of Korea by Japan, thus giving the new expansionist country its first colony. All government functions (police, fire, roads, etc.), as well as all industries, were taken over by Japanese, and Korea's economy was re-geared towards providing Japan with food and material for the expanding imperialistic efforts. Japanese became the official language, and Shintoism became the official religion. Usage of the Korean language (in print at first) was banned, and local religions were persecuted.
Slide 18: Korean became the "Rice Bowl" of Japan, as evidenced by a dramatic increase in total rice output. Such exploitation expanded in 1937 AD, when Korea became the strategic base for operations in the invasion of China. Korean men were conscripted to fight in the army, and Korean women were conscripted for use as slaves for Japanese troops. All use of the Korean language was banned outright, and all Koreans were forced to adopt new Japanese names. Punishment was severe during this period. All forms of torture were used to keep the populace under control, and the country was laid waste by the oppression and exploitation. The situation was to last up to the end of the Second World War, when Korea was finally liberated by the Soviets and Americans.
Slide 19: Korea Divid ed 1945 AD - 1950 AD The surrender of Japan in 1945 meant the liberation of Korea. American occupying forces moved into the Southern half of the peninsula, while Russian forces, who had been preparing for an invasion of Japan, occupied the Northern half. By mutual decision, Korea was divided at the 38th Parallel, and unification would follow popular elections. While the US formed an interim government in the South, Russia set up a communist government in the North.
Slide 20: Other opposing groups emerged, such as Communists vs. Industrialists, Liberals vs. Conservatives, pro-China vs. proSoviet vs. pro-US. Needless to say, early unification efforts failed, stymied by Cold War politics and internal divisions. By 1948 the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea was formed in the North, and the Republic of Korea was formed in the South. Following the formation of the government, US forces pulled out of Korea, as it ramped down overall military commitments. In January of 1950, Secretary of State Acheson made made, what appears in hindsight, rather careless statements to the Washington National Press Club declaring Korea as unimportant to US strategic goals in Asia, effectively placing Korea outside of the US defense shield. With the green light from Washington, North Korea, with approval from Stalinist Russia, prepared for a quick invasion.
Slide 21: The Korean War 1950 AD - 1953 AD The Korean War began in June of 1950, when North Korean tanks rolled across the 38th parallel, attempting to quickly unite the country by force. Unprepared, undermanned, and overwhelmed, ROK forces retreated wildly, as the US rushed what troops it had from Japan. Following the cease fire, the ROK and the US signed a joint defense treaty, establishing US bases within South Korea as well as the stationing of upwards of 40,000 US troops, further ensuring that a second North Korean invasion would not follow. With peace, attention turned towards the rebuilding of the country and the development of the economy. It should be noted that while the cease-fire stopped the hostilities, nothing sustentative was signed afterwards, up to present day.
Slide 22: Industrial Mo dernization 1953 AD - 1988 AD President, Syngmon Rhee, consolidated power, deposing of political rivals and creating what was effectively a dictatorship. Imitating the model almost exactly, South Korea began building large numbers of commercial ships for sale and use in shipping lines. Steel production jumped as drydocks were built rapidly. Huge public works projects were started, creating road and rail arteries throughout the South. Next stage in economic development was arms production, both for self use and for export. While Japan had the Korean War to fuel it's arms sales explosion, Korea had the Vietnam War. In addition, as a signal of close ties with the US, a division of Korean troops was sent to Vietnam in 1965 to help with the anti-communist efforts (As a side note, the Korean marines have taken on an almost mythical following, with a reputation of having completely suppressed all Viet-Cong activity in their zones.). Fueled by the sale of arms (mostly munitions), industrial development expanded along other lines, automobile and electronics production, for example.
Slide 23: The economy had, in the short time of 30 years, gone from virtually nothing, to one of the top 20 in the world. And by 1988 South Korea was one of the "Four Dragons" (AKA Four Tigers) of the Asian economy, along with Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. As a cap to the amazing economic feats, Korea was host to the 1988 Summer Olympics, a giant celebration introducing the country to the world stage
Slide 24: Post Olympic Korea 1988 AD - Present Contemporary Korea has progressed even further then 1988 Korea, both in terms of economy and society. Before the Asian Financial Crisis of 1998, South Korea was the 8th largest economy in the world. Even today, despite the financial meltdown, South Korea remains the 11th largest economy in the world. Following the 1988 Olympics, Korea has developed into a fully democratic nation, with free elections being held, and even the election of the traditional opposition to high offices including President. South Korea has also become an attractive export country for US companies, due to the continuing growth and relative stability of the country..