Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Province of Laguna

Korea: The Development of

a Distinct History and
Culture

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Comendador, Amanda Daniel S. Dr. Ray Samuel G. Grecalda
Cubacob, Kayeden M.
BSEd III-C Social Science
 Korea: The Development of a Distinct History and Culture
Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
1.To discuss the beginning of Korean Civilization and the three kingdoms.
2. To identify and recognize the two dynasties of Korea.
3.To give value on the contributions of Korean history to the society.

Content
The Legend of Tangun

His father Hwanin, foresaw Hwangun would be suitable leader for Earth, and his
subjects would be happy and prosperous under his care. He therefore chose Mount
Taebak as the place upon which he should settle. Hwangun arrived and created a holy
city, bringing with him 3 heavenly seals and 3000 loyal subjects. Hwangun also brought
along three ministers, the Earl of Wind, the Master of Rain and the Master of Cloud, who
were responsible for controlling the environment and natural resources on Earth.
The myth diverges here to tell the tale of a bear and a tiger, both wishing to be
human beings. Hwangun provided a series of test for them and should they pass, they
would be granted humanity. They were to survive without sunlight for a period of days,
and sustain themselves only upon mugwort and cloves of garlic. The tiger quickly failed,
abandoning his tasks, but the bear succeeded, and went to be transformed into a
beautiful woman, Ungyo, who became the wife of Hwangun.
Their son, Tangun for whom the creation myth is named, rules as the first king of
Korea. After his period of holy reign, he treated Mount Taebak to become a mountain
God. This creation myth is meant to exemplify the ideal Korean traits of peacefulness
and serenity as their explanation describes the world forming a calm, efficient manner
without resorting to violence of any kind.

The Beginning of Korean Civilization

Despite the lack of clear ethnographic data about their origins, the Koreans are
common classified under the Ural-Altaic race, which includes the Mongols, Manchurian
and Japanese.
In the absence of Paleolithic archaeological evidences, it is assumed that the first
inhabitants of Korea lived in the peninsula during the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains
such as dolmens, mounds of shells and stone implements were discovered all over the
country.
During the Bronze Age (1200 BCE), dolmens were found scattered throughout
the Korean peninsula. The dolmen is a prehistoric monument made from a large rock
flattened like a table and placed over standing vertical stones that serve as posts.
Dolmens were arranged in groups of five to ten and could be found in all parts of the
peninsula. Stone implements found scattered around the dolmens proved that livelihood
during early time was linked to agriculture. In addition, ancient settlements consisted of
caves by the riverbanks, which through the passage of time, became pit dwellings with
floors that were heated underneath. There were also indications that animals were
domesticated during this period.
Other implements shoe the arrival of Chinese influence before the 5th century
BCE. This cultural contact was evident in the ancient bronze products of Korea, such as
the bronze mirror, knife, bells and other ceremonial objects. The styles and designs of
these objects were similar to the relics found in China during the same period.
During the Iron Age (300 BCE), the southernmost part of Korea was already
trading with China and Japan. Consequently, agricultural development and military
manners became a regular part of society. In fact, metal production, which came from
foreign countries, raised the quality of local Korean bronze products. These items
became more durable and suitable for daily use.

The Rise of Korean Civilization

Legend has it that the founder of Korea was Tangun, who descended from
heaven to establish the civilization in Pyongyang, its acknowledged capital, 2400 years
before the common era. His successors were eventually replaced by ruling family called
Han. The state was called Han Choson and expanded to the Taedong river delta eleven
centuries before the Common Era.
Political refugees from China introduced Chinese influence to Korea. The most
famous refugees were Wi Man, who was exiled from the state of Yen. Wi Man defeated
the Korean King and founded the state of Wi Choson, which lasted for a century. In the
first century BCE. However, the state was invaded by the Han Empire, which had
succeeded in uniting the territories of China.

The Three Kingdoms

Three Kingdoms emerged after the fall of the Han in 220 CE. Paekche in the
southwest, Silla in the southeast and Koguryo in the north, the largest and closest
kingdom to China and the Han settlement in Korea. Confucianism and Chinese models
of governance, literature and the arts soon became popular. Buddhism also followed and
thrived as a religion. Still, owing to a long tradition of a privileged and hereditary
aristocracy, the system of meritocracy based on civil examinations did not flourish.
Koguryo expanded its influence in the first century. The territory of this state
extended from the north of Korea to the southern portion of Manchuria. Known for its
skills in cavalry and archery, Koguryo was also the first of the Three Kingdoms to be
established during the Middle Ages of Korea.
The fifty-four tribes of Mahan formed the Kingdom of Paekche, which occupied
the Han River delta. It initiated cultural relations with China during the 3 rd century CE.
This Golden Age of Paekche occurred simultaneously with the rise of Silla in the south
because of the cultural influence of the surrounding kingdoms. BY the 5th century CE,
the Paekche kingdom was established and it expanded its territory to the Naktong River.
The intense rivalry between the three kingdoms was inevitable. Initially, Paekche
and Silla were allies in a campaign to retake territories seized by Koguryo. Both
kingdoms ruled over these lands until Silla decided to put alliance. Silla then conquered
all the territories that it had jointly taken with Koguryo forcing the latter to ally with its
former enemy, Koguryo. In response, Silla made its own alliance with T’ang China.
Silla’s alliance with a powerful Chinese dynasty resulted in the demise of
Paekche and Koguryo in the 7th century CE. Silla became the dominant power in the
peninsula. However, many of the territories seized from Koguryo were ceded to China
and never recovered.
With the defeat of both Paekche and Koguryo, Silla managed to consolidateits
power and solidify Korean nationalism, thereby preventing any possible conquest of the
peninsula by T’ang China. However, though it was formal vassal of the T’ang, Silla made
many accomplishments during its Golden Age of dynamism and creativity. It continued
to develop an elite culture based on the Chinese model. Overall, the brilliance of Silla
culture reflects an ideal model of development that used Chinese thought, institutions
and technology. For example, Korean ceramics were almost of the same outstanding
quality as Chinese ceramics. This included the pottery and porcelain wares that featured
the unique milky green celadon and jade-colored glaze – even the Chinese envied the
final product.

Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 C.E.)

 Wang Kon -Led coup d’état against Silla.

 Koryo -New name of Koguryo which became the basis for the name Korea.
 Kaesong -Capital of Koryo, north of present-day Seoul.
 Koryo dynasty utilized the Chinese administrative system to govern the kingdom.
 Civil war in Koryo led to the successful Mongolian invasion of 1218.
 Genghis Khan -His army found it easy to subjugate the weaker and smaller
armies of the Koryo government.
 Koreans finally achieved independence in 1270 CE with the marriage of Korean
king to a Mongol princess.
 Korea’s contribution to world cultures includes the invention of moveable type
printing in 1234 CE.
 Tripitaka Koreana-Collection of Korean’s carved Buddhist sutras into 81,258
wood blocks for printing. Considered as national treasure.
 Lastly, the Koryo achieved mastery in the art and manufactured of celadon ware.

The Choson (Yi) Dysnasty (1392-1910 C.E.)

Yi Song Gye
 He defeated his enemies and established the Yi dynasty through the bloodless
coup d’état in 1392 CE.
 He introduced many reforms such as the change of the official state religion from
Buddhism to Confucianism.
Sadae Ideology or Sadae-juui
 “serving the great” became the basis of the political and philosophical system of
the Choson dynasty.
 It meant the payment of tribute to China during this period.
King Sejong
 The fourth king was responsible for the dissemination and use of Hunminjongun.
 He was a scholar well-versed in such diverse discipline as the classics, arts,
literature, languages and science.

Hunminjongun- Korean phonetic alphabet composed of 28 letters.

Han-gul - “great letters”, the present Korean writing system.
Chongum - “correct sounds”
Hunminchongum - “correct sounds to instruct people”

Toyotomi Hideyoshi
 Military leader of Japan that invaded Korea making it vulnerable.
King Sonjo
 In his first part of ruling, political fragmentation resulted in gradual disintegration.
Admiral Yi Sunsin
 Invented the world’s first ironclad warship that helps Koreans to survive the
Japanese invasion.
• Choson leaders maintained the status of Korea as a tributary state of China.
Turtle ships
 Was invented by Admiral Yi Sunsin, used by the Koreans to defeat the
Japanese.
 First armored or ironclad warships in the world.

 Korea had a difficult time recovering from the destruction brought by the
Japanese attacks.
 From 1600 to 1800 CE, the economy experienced considerable growth in trade
and agriculture while the population doubled.
Kol’pum -Bone rank system or social classification.
Yangban class
-occupied the highest berth in the social ladder.
-ones with the highest position in the government.
-two roles: government and military.
Munkwa
-part of the yangban family that were experts in passing the civil service examinations
Mukwa
-had military examinations as their traditional domain.

Chungin class
-made up of translators, scientists, doctors and administrative personnel.
Chapkwa
-position that requires technical skills.

Yangmin class
-common people made up of farmers, artisans and free workers.
-comprised the largest percentage of the population.

Ch’onmin class
-occupied the lowest rung in the social ladder.
-includes the slaves, butchers, prostitutes, performers and entertainers.

Reference:
Fornier,J.N.Banasihan.M. et’al (2006): ASIA: History, Civilization and Culture. Anvil
Publishing Inc.
 Korea: The Development of a Distinct History and Culture
Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks.

1. _____________ emerged after the fall of the Han in 220 CE.
2. _____________ prayed to Hwanung to make them human.
3. During the _____________, dolmens were found scattered throughout the
Korean peninsula.
4. During the ______________, the southernmost pat of Korea was already trading
with China and Japan.
5. His successors were eventually replaced by ruling family called ___________.
6. _____________ in the north, the largest and closest Kingdom to China and the
Han settlement in Korea.
7. By the 5th century CE, the Paekche kingdom was fully established and it
expanded its territory to the ____________.
8. Silla’s alliance with a powerful Chinese dynasty resulted in the demise of
Paekche and Koguryo in the ________ century CE.
9. ________ and __________ were allies in a campaign to retake territories seized
by Koguryo.
10. _________ made bits’ own alliance with T’ang China.

Exercise 2
Direction: Identify the word needed in each number. Write your answer in the space
provided.
_________________1. Led coup d’état against Silla and the founder of Koryo Dynasty.
_________________2. Collection of Korean’s carved Buddhist sutras into 81,258 wood
blocks for printing.
_________________3. Korean phonetic alphabet composed of 28 letters
_________________4. Made up of translators, scientists, doctors and administrative
personnel.
_________________5. He defeated his enemies and established the Yi dynasty through
the bloodless coup d’état in 1392 CE.
_________________6. Invented the world’s first ironclad warship that helps Koreans to
survive the Japanese invasion.
_________________7. The fourth king was responsible for the dissemination and use of
Hunminjongun.
_________________8. The present Korean writing system.
_________________9. Military leader of Japan that invaded Korea making it vulnerable.
_________________10. Occupied the highest berth in the social ladder.

Exercise 3 Essay
1. How is hangul, the present writing system of Korea, affects the lives and the
establishment of Korean civilization?
2. Why was Confucianism important in the early political system of Korea?
 Korea: The Development of a Distinct History and Culture
Answer Key

Exercise 1
1. Three Kingdoms
2. Tiger and Bear
3. Bronze Age
4. Iron Age
5. Han
6. Koguryo
7. Naktong River
8. 7th century
9. Paekche and Silla
10. Silla
Exercise 2
1. Wang Kon
2. Tripitaka Koreana
3. Hunminjongun
4. Chungin Class
5. Yi Song Gye
6. Admiral Yi Sunsin
7. King Sejong
8. Hangul
9. Toyotomi Hideyoshi
10. Yangban class