Korea's seperations and unifications throughout history

  Throughout history, Korea has not always been 1 country.
During the period around 427 ~ 660 AD, there were 3 kingdoms, Baekje (백제), Silla (신라) and Goguryeo (고구려) in Korean peninsula. (There were also some small countries within the peninsula prior to this era.)
The history of Korea, or Asia as a whole, have never existed independently, and have always been influencing one another.
Prior to the era of 3 Kingdoms, Koreans believed and practiced in Shamanism, like some Japanese and Altaic people still do in modern days. It was in the 3 Kingdoms' era that Han Chinese culture including Confucianism started to influence Korea. Buddhism (originally from India, Nepal) also spread into the area in 4 AD, once becoming a national religion for the 3 Kingdoms.

 

(7th C. Tang dynasty (China) painting of envoys from the 3 Kingdoms: Baekje, Goguryeo, Silla)

 

  After the separation, a unified Korea was ruled under Goryeo (고려국) Dynasty in 10th C., Joseon Dynasty in 1392, a short Korean Empire in late 19th C., until Japan's occupation in 1910. Many scholars believe that Goryeo Dynasty was the 1st unified country in Korean history.

 

(Fortress of Joseon Dynasty)

 



  Korean peninsula was annexed by Imperial Japan no long after Qing's defeat in Sino-Japanese war 1894 -95. Japan and Qing Dynasty (China) were competing for influence in East Asia, and Japan's victory was mainly attributed to its quick modernization and Westernization, in science, education, daily lives and especially military. In early 20th C., Japan advanced its military across the entire Asia, and many nations suffered its invasion. The modern day Asian politics was largely shaped from Japan's influence. Days under Japanese occupation in Korea were uneasy, having lack of autonomy and freedom, but some stable, new infrastructures were established in those days. A part of today's Seoul National University was founded under Japanese rule.

(Keijo Imperial University, later merged with other branches into Seoul University)

  In 1945, the most tragic war in human history, WW2, ended. Japan surrendered and Korea was cheered with Liberation (haebang 해방). August 15 is celebrated in both South and North Korea till this day, commemorating victory over Japan. Imperial Japan's defeat provided much joy and hope for Koreans, but few people knew that it was the beginning of another tragedy. Immediately after the war, Korea was divided at 38th parallel, occupied by forces of Soviet in North and USA in South. In 1948, ROK was established, with Syngman Rhee as President, while DPRK was also established, with Kim Il Sung as premier.

  As we can see from Korea history, a country can influence, while being influenced at the same time. The religion Asia - Pacific shares a large part of history that continues till this day, and a common destiny toward the future. History belongs to the past, and can only be reviewed, but we can learn much from history, not to repeat the mistakes and create good history for the future.