Overlooked Historical Records Of The Three Korean Kingdoms

"The book considers the great quantity of Buddhist narratives, anecdotes on primitive beliefs, and folktales, explores the religious consciousness of the Korean people ... The author also attempts to examine Buddhism's influence on Korean culture"--p. 4 of cover.

The Korean Nation was formed over a long period as ethnic groups migrated and interacted with each other in and around Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. This is why Koreans constitute one of the oldest people in Asia and pride themselves of a long tradition and rich cultural heritage. As a peninsular state, Korea has both continental and oceanic characteristics. Its culture is a unique amalgamation of foreign influences, as its geographical location constantly exposed it to contacts with not only China, but with countries to the north, south and west of China as well. In ancient times, Korea was a power in East Asia and once ruled much of Manchuria. The kingdom of Goguryeo was successful in repelling the aggression of China's Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty, while the kingdom of Balhae ruled over a vast territory extending to the north as far as Siberia (Russian Maritime Territory). Throughout history, Korea not only developed a culture that is unique and distinguished from that of China, but also transmitted many elements of its culture to Japan.

Written by one of the leading experts on Korea, A Brief History of Korea covers the history of Korea from the origins of the Korean people in prehistoric times to the economic and political situation in North and South Korea today. Providing a detailed overview of the cultural and historical influences that have shaped Korean society, the author discusses the major periods of Korean history Three Kingdoms, Koryo Dynasty, and Chosun Dynasty; the foreign invasions Korea has endured; the post-World War II situation that led to the country's division and the Korean War; and developments in North and South Korea from the end of the Korean War up through the present.

Most Korean history books written by mainstream Korean historians - including A New History of Korea published by Harvard University Press - have led the readers to face or accept an erroneous or wrong interpretation of Korean history. For instance, mainstream Korean historians maintain that Silla unified the Three Kingdoms - Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje - by enlisting military help from Tang China. However, historical evidence suggests that Silla's unification of Korea was an eventual outcome of the Chinese foreign policy in the Korean peninsula. It also suggests that Silla unified the Three Hans - Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan - not Three Kingdoms. According to Samguksagi or the History of Three Kingdoms, in 676 when the seven-year war with Tang ended, Silla was allowed to occupy the land south of the Imjin-Deokwon line - which is roughly equivalent to the 38th parallel. And the Imjin-Deokwon line formed the northern boundary of the Unified Silla until 735 when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang granted Silla the land south of the Pae River (Daedong River). In other words, after the unification, the Unified Silla was able to occupy the southern half of the Korean peninsula, which was almost the same land that the three Hans had occupied. Accordingly, the historical event of Silla's unification is referred to as "the Unification of Three Hans" in the History of Three Kingdoms. Furthermore, every subsequent Korean kingdom or dynasty is also referred to as "the Nation of Three Hans" in several other historical records. In fact, the 26th King Gojong of Joseon called his own country "the Land of Three Hans." In 1897, he even changed the name of his country from Joseon to Daehan - which means "the Great Hans" -, underlining the historical fact that the country continued to expand its territory and thrive ever since Goryeo reunited the Three Hans. South Koreans still use Daehan-minguk - which means "the Republic of the Great Hans" - as the official name of their country. Just like the event of Silla's Unification, many other historical events and incidents are still misrepresented or misinterpreted by mainstream Korean historians. Intentionally or not, they have obscured, distorted, ignored, or even hid unpalatable or unpleasant historical facts under the pretext of promoting national integration and reconciliation as one single ethnic Korean nation or on the patriotic slogan of salvaging national pride as the so-called "Great Koreans." History has never been written perfectly in terms of objectivity or impartiality. Even so, historical events and incidents should not be interpreted arbitrarily. If any historian interpreted them subjectively in his book to serve his academic or political purpose by obscuring, distorting, or hiding unpalatable historical truths, his book would be a storybook, not a history book. To help readers fully understand the true history of Korea, we have put reasonably objective interpretations on major historical events and incidents totally based on historical facts and evidence. We have also interpreted them from the perspective of conflict and division among the Korean ruling elite, which mainstream Korean historians have never brought to their works or books. In this respect, this is the first book on the true Korean history, specifically on the true Korean political history, ever published.