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Boosting Korea-France Exchanges in Science and Technology

The Cassini calendar, which had been acquired from French Jesuits based in China, was adopted by Korea in 1744, when an almanac was prepared. This represented the first science-related exchange between Korea and France. Thereafter, in 1860, Korea’s adaptation of a French artillery cannon could be recognized as the first technology transfer between the two countries.

There are several theories about the origin of the Korean people. Various archaeologists contend that Gojoseon (Old Joseon) was founded in 2333 B.C. by Sumerians who had made their way to East Asia after being vanquished by Semitic Akkadians. It is known that the Sumerian people settled in areas of Europe.
It is widely recognized that a key factor behind the collapse of the Roman Empire was the invasion of the Huns. Related to this, the dominance of the Hun invaders on the battlefield can be attributed to their superior mobility and the Maekgung composite bows, which were made by the Koreans of ancient Goguryeo. In particular, these bows were far more compact, powerful, and faster than the standard bows used in Europe. With Maekgung bows, archers could shoot off 15 arrows per minute, which well exceeded the 10 arrows per minute that English archers could deliver, during the time of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France.
Due to their reputation for making the prized Maekgung bows, the Chinese referred to the Korean makers as “Dongi,” after a tribe that was known for its excellent archers. In fact, these bows represented a culmination of the technology of that time. The Koreans possessed the technology for bow making, but did not always have the proper materials. A key material was the horn of water buffalos, without which it was not possible to produce a true Maekgung bow. Therefore, the Chinese people regarded water buffalo horn as a strategic item that they would barter to Koreans in exchange for Maekgung bows. Even in those days of long ago, people were aware of the benefits of technology exchange.
In linking the Far East with Rome, via the Silk Road, in the early days of the Islamic Empire during the seventh and the eighth centuries, it is likely that the Arabs introduced Korea to Europe. Silla s include numerous references to the Saracens, and Korea was depicted as an island on a map produced by Al-Idrisi (1099-1166). As described in “The Adventure of Asterix,” a kind of picture-book series, the Romans at that time exerted an influence on the ancient Gauls, in the northern region of France. So, Korea might have been known to France, if only indirectly.
In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire emerged as the new power in Asia. The activities of the Arabs, as the link connecting the East and the West, declined, as Europe and Asia engaged in direct exchanges. It was around this time when Korea became better known in France. Guillaume de Rubrouck, who was dispatched to Mongolia from April to August 1254, to follow up on the visit of Jean de Plan Carpin in 1245-1247, mentioned the existence of Korea in his travel journals.
Although the details related to Korea’s actual introduction to France remain unclear, it is said that the first formal report on Korea was made by Jean-Francois de Galaup, Count de la Perouse (1741-1787). The first encounter between Korea and Western society, represented by France, occurred in April 1787 when Count de la Perouse navigated his vessel along the southern tip of Korea. However, it was not a two-way encounter. According to the logs of Count de la Perouse, the Korean ships that they came across while sailing near the coast of Korea did not acknowledge the French vessel.
Among the many countries in Europe, it was France that first conducted exchange with Korea. Although the U.K. opened diplomatic relations with Korea three years earlier than France, the French engaged in actual exchanges with Korea ahead of the British. Father Maubant from the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris crossed the Amnokgang River (Yalu River) to reach Korea in 1835, while Catholic priests Imbert and Chastan arrived in Korea in 1836. These figures played a key role in the process that enabled Kim Dae-geon to become the first Korean Catholic priest. After the Catholic Church lent its support to a failed power struggle, Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong, waged a bloody campaign to suppress the Catholic Church, which included the execution of some 8,000 Catholics.
Enraged at the news of this persecution, France mobilized its naval vessels that had been anchored at Chinese ports and invaded Ganghwado in 1866, under the command of Admiral Rose. However, the French intruders suffered serious casualties in their clashes with Korean troops and were forced to retreat. Ironically, the cannons that inflicted heavy damage on the French fleet were a new kind of artillery developed in 1860 from the weapons recovered from two French naval vessels, which had been dispatched to Korea to protest the execution of French missionaries in 1847, but ended up being shipwrecked.
Based on its rising national strength during the reign of King Louis XIV, France challenged the previous dominance of Portugal, in regard to the efforts to propagate Christianity in Asia. As a result, the missionaries from the French Society of Jesuits outnumbered those from other counties in Asia, during the period of 1687 to 1773. The Cassini calendar, which had been acquired from French Jesuits based in China, was adopted by Korea in 1744, when an almanac was prepared. This represented the first science-related exchange between Korea and France. Thereafter, in 1860, Korea’s adaptation of French artillery cannon could be recognized as the first technology transfer between the two countries.
In line with its advanced scientific knowledge, France conducted research on Korea in various areas, which included Dr. H. Leveille’s “Flora of Korea and Japan” (1904), Dr. J. Cheval’s “Folk Remedies of Korea, Japan and China” (1868), and “Guide to Korean Astrology” (1897) by Hong Jong-u and H. Chevalier. Based on its long history as an advanced civilization, France took initiative in the exchanges between Korea and France in science and technology up through the end of the 20th century. From the mid 20th century, however, Koreans started to depart for France for study and work.
Of note, the first Korean scientist who visited France was issued a Korean passport with the No. 16. Upon the founding of the Republic of Korea in 1948, 15 government officials were dispatched as a U.N. delegation. Therefore, this scientist was the first private citizen of the Republic of Korea who traveled abroad. He majored in particle physics at Sorbonne University and later taught at the University of Nantes. Following in his footsteps, many Koreans went to France for study and work in the fields of science and technology. The Korean residents in France organized an Association of Korean Scientists in France in 1976 and have actively sought to promote Korea-France cooperation in science and technology.
According to data compiled by the French Embassy in Seoul, a total of 1,349 Koreans visited France, with scholarship assistance from the French government, through 2007. It is estimated that the number of Koreans involved with the fields of science and technology, who went to France for study at their own expense, is three times greater than that of the scholarship-aid recipients.
In addition, there are also Koreans who have cooperated with France in science and technology under the STAR program, which was designed to promote Korea-France scientific and technology exchange, and students majoring in science and engineering who have participated in various student exchange programs with France. The number of Koreans who have had an opportunity to interact with France’s science and technology sectors is estimated at 3,000.
Traditionally, people are valued for their ability to devise plans and smoothly implement projects. Scientific and technology exchange between Korea and France needs to be understood in this context as well. This number, 3,000, though not insignificant, has yielded only limited results thus far. In fact, the number of individuals directly involved in actual exchange is relatively small. Considering the history and status of exchange between Korea and France and their science and technology policy efforts, I would suggest that the following initiatives be implemented.


Increase the number of exchange participants
As mentioned, more people need to participate directly in Korea-France exchanges of science and technology. In comparison to the cases of the U.S., Japan, Germany, and the U.K., the current level is too low to facilitate effective exchange. Exchange activities should be promoted at several levels and focus on two-way interaction. The estimated number of 3,000 applies to the participants from the Korean side, but it seems that only a handful of French participants are in regular contact with Korea’s science and technology fields. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to realize tangible results.

Joint efforts related to basic and applied sciences
In large part, Korea has placed more emphasis on practical technology rather than basic sciences. As for its modernization process, Korea put more effort into the development of advanced technology, than basic sciences, to support a policy goal of export-based industrialization. In contrast to this, France has focused more on basic sciences than engineering. In this way, Korea has tended to shun exchanges related to advanced and basic sciences. To rectify this situation, Korea should support exchange and cooperation in basic sciences with the potential to new technology applications.

Interdisciplinary exchange and cooperation
As society became more complex, sciences have moved toward specialization. However, recent trends call for an integration of various areas of science for the development of multifaceted, or fusion, technology. Accordingly, it would be desirable that the efforts to expand Korea-France exchange are centered on the sectors in which Korea and France have acquired superior expertise. In doing so, the activities to advance the development of cultural and scientific technology should emphasize cluster-based cooperation, which can integrate the culture of France with the IT technology of Korea.

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