003 | Text | Public | OOC | History
ON HISTORY
Summary ★ Korea, like the other Asian nations, has had a long history spanning longer than four thousand years and well in the depths of BC. Korea has survived three different kingdoms, gone through three major dynasties, survived comfortable rule under China, was colonized by Japan, and went through war when it was split. After the unification of the three kingdoms, Korea was not separated until the Korean War. Technically, North and South are still at war since a peace treaty was not signed. To coincide with history, I've always played Korea as geuinely boyish before the split, when he became super egotistical.
Three Kingdoms ★ Korea during the third and seventh centuries is known as the three kingdoms periods: Koguryo, Baekju, and Silla. Before the three kingdoms, China's emperor ruled over Korea as a colonial power. The first of the three kingdoms to emerge was Koguryo. They ruled over the north. In the middle of the third century, Baekju and Silla formed. Both kingdoms ruled the south; Baekju the southeast and Silla the southwest. In 668, Silla vanquished its neighbors and ruled as a unified Korean nation.
During the period of these kingdoms, Buddhism was introduced to Korea which quickly spread throughout the kingdoms. In 372, the Buddha frenzy reached its height.
Silla Dynasty ★ Silla unifying Korean led to a dynasty rule. The Silla Dynasty lasted from 668 to 932. This was the most revolutionary period, with the foundations made in politics, education, and foreign relations. Korea began fostering trade with China and Japan and scholarship in mathematics, agronomy, and medicine became important. Coincidentally, Confucianism was introduced to the nation and quickly spread. However, Buddhism was still the dominant lifestyle so most art during this period has more Buddhism influences than Confucianism.
Koryo Dynasty ★ The Koryo Dynasty, lasting from 932 to 1392, demonstrated more success, particularly financial, than the previous period, partly because of its close ties with the Song Dynasty in China, 960 to 1979.
The Chinese sought two things from Korea during this period: paper and printing and ceramics. Korea's paper which was of highest quality. In 1234, Korea created the first moveable print for books -- a whole two centuries before Guttenburg would reveal his press in Germany. Next, the celadons modeled after Chinese artifacts during this period are some of the most precious treasures in museums today.
Buddhism was still strong: monks played important roles in politics, economy, and society. Under the Koryo Dynasty, the Taejanggyong, Tripitaka Koreana, was writte. It is the most complete and best preserved of all Buddhist scriptures. The original plates for the 160,000 page book are still preserved today.
It should be noted that just like other Asian nations, the word for Korea in Korean is not "Korea". Marco Polo, who was visiting China, referred to Korea as "Cauly". China's pronounciation of Korea was similar to "Kaoli", causing this confusion. This is also why Korea is spelled with a C in various European languages, such as French. Corea and Coree are variations.
This period earned a one hundred mile extension of its border to the North.
However, all good things must come to an end. The Mongols invaded in 1231, overwhelming the Koryo forces. In the early fourteenth century, the Mongol empire began to crumble. The Chinese Ming Dynasty pushed the Mongols back north and Korea was once again independant under Koryo. Their renewed rule didn't last long.
Yi Dynasty ★ The Yi Dynasty is commonly called the Choson period because that is what its founder, General Yi Song Gye, decided to call his kingdom. In either case, this period lasted from 1392 to 1910. Choson is Korea's traditional name. The Chinese characters mean "morning fresh" or "fresh morning", but it is commonly also translated for its nickname, "morning calm".
During this period, Buddhism was replaced by Confucianism. This new dynasty considered Buddhism heresy and launched a conquista against Buddhist monks. However, they were slightly justified since the Buddhist monks were slightly corrupt. They owned large lots of land -- too large compared to the needs of the peasants -- and the state was suffering because their largest source of income, the monks, were exempt from taxes. Anywho, the Buddhist temples were allowed to remain, it just lost its influence. This is the beginning of Korea's secular society. Koryo fell in part by the corruption of Buddhism, so decide for yourself if you think it's better or not by comparing the two extreme periods, back-to-back.
Interesting facts! This rule began with General Yi Song Gye, who overthrew the Koryo government with the army he was supposed to use to fight against the Chinese. He won and was declared king, and because he did not fight the Chinese, he gained the favor of the Chinese emperor. During this period, Seoul became the official capital. One of the remarkable facts about this period is tribute gifts to China, which Korea did three to four times a year. Given the amount of time it took to travel to Beijing and back to Seoul, the journies needed to be done back-to-back. According to one source, "15% of the government's revenue" was dedicated to this practice.
China and 1985 ★ In one source, it says that "[s]o strong were the ties and similarities between China and Korea that, until the 1880s, elites of the past would have been proud to be regarded as a 'Little China'" (Lee 10). Korea began to break away when they were both conquered by Manchuria, but it's highly believed that Korea still regarded China more favorably. By the late nineteenth century, China was changing and Korea didn't like what plans China had for him. China wanted to turn Korea into a colony and, always having relied on China, Korea was too weak to defend himself. Japan "came to the rescue" and defeated the Chinese forces. However...
Japanese Colonization ★ Invasion by Japan is not unfamiliar to Korea. Between 1592 and 1598, Japan devasted southern areas of Korea. In the Tokugawa period, the two nations were more at peace, having open political missions. At the end of the Yi Dynasty, Korea became weak and corrupted, so Japan came in and took care of business. Also known as "expanding continental power through Korea". By 1910, Japan invaded Korea and would use them as a satellite until 1945. It was a pretty hardcore period, even though it was the shortest rule: "the Japanese colonial government attempted to blot out all traces of the Korean nation, including its language" (Lee 5). The Korean War picked up from that point until 1953, though no official peace treaty was signed. This means North and South Korea are technically still at war. I'm sure that's not surprising due to recent worldwide events. Not until 1972 did North and South begin talking with each other after the war.
Korean War ★ Starting at the end of the Second World War, the Korean War was a battle to decide whether the ex-Japanese satellite would become a communist nation or become free. It's pretty complicated; in the end, Korea became two nations (how's that for pleasing everybody?) and a peace treaty was never signed.
North Korea ★ North Korea was led by its communist dictator and sought the aid of other communist nations. The country sealed itself away from the world and...yeah.
South Korea ★ This is the Korea as represented by Hetalia. How do I know this? 1) Korea is called by the combination used for South Korea and 2) he is commonly depicted with the South Korean flag. Korea has a slightly justified ego... He built himself up from nothing in the late 1900s and rose to one of the highest GPN nations of the world in less than half a century. South Korea used various means to achieve this, some of them which went again traditional Asian logic. Such as, for example, Westernization. Korea openly welcomed it. China and Japan in the past did not. South Korea is now very comfortable with his plush life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Hetalia Wiki on Korea / Wiki on Korea / Wiki on South Korea / Korea.net / CIA South Korea Factbook / The Korea Herald / Life in Korea / Wiki on Korean Culture / Korean Culture.org / PBS "Hidden Korea" / Wiki on Korean Cuisine / ZenKimchi, a Korean Food Blog / The Secret of Korean Food / Wiki on Korean History / Wiki on Korean Timeline / Wiki Korea stubs / Asian Info.net on Korean History / History of Korea / Wiki on Korean War / Korean-War.com / SeoulPodcast / The Mammot's Hole
