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네이버 공유 카카오 공유 트위터 공유 페이스북 공유

“A Harbinger of Search for the Lost Self”

As part of a project to provide accurate information about the history of Korea, the Korea Foundation provided support for the publication of “A Review of Korean History,” an English language translation of an original series on Korean history written by Seoul National University Professor Emeritus Han Young-woo.



Professor Han Young-woo’s “A Review of Korean History” is an introductory book on Korean history that reflects the research achievements of the academic circles of Korea following the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule. The author, a senior scholar of Korean history representing the so called April 19 Revolution generation, has published an easy-to-read and substantive history book for general readers and the Hangeul generation (those with only limited education of Chinese characters because of Korea’s educational policy to teach only Korean characters, or Hangeul). The book especially stands out for its use of commonly understood words, rather than difficult terms, while Chinese characters are also offered in brackets, along with a wealth of visual images. Almost every page includes at least one visual image, totaling more than 500 illustrations, photos, and maps selected from those with value as a cultural resource. Detailed supplemental explanations about important historical figures are provided in footnotes.
The author focuses mainly on the Joseon Dynasty era. He describes the era with notable passion since it is his major field of research and was depreciated in colonial historiography by Japanese scholars. He mentions in the Introduction that he has immersed himself in the period of Joseon for the joy of discovering “hidden treasures,” as he sought to enhance understanding about the highly dignified culture of Joseon, during his four-year term as the head of Kyujanggak Archives. The pride and confidence of Korean intellectuals in their own culture and history have seen noticeable erosion since the late 19th century, when the Western world gradually advanced into the East. The Korean history circles, however, did not neglect the efforts to recover its lost history in order to overcome such sense of helplessness. This book represents such an effort and can be regarded as a harbinger of search for the lost self.
No academic discipline can remain irrelevant to everyday life. In particular, history is a study of reading the past and examining the present to anticipate the future. In this sense, the author seems to suggest a new milestone for the 21st century through this book. Cautious about both narrow minded nationalism and globalism’s relative lack of identity, he pursues a humanitarian society centered on coexistence and co-prosperity. Such a view of history seems to be aligned with neo-nationalism, from among the various approaches of modern historiography. Rooted in a positivist historiography, a major approach in modern historiography, the author has built a basic academic foundation from which he conveys a neo-nationalist view of history.
As for the division of periods, the author seeks to avoid a materialistic approach which wrongly argues for universality. Instead, he attempts a new framework, combining political and social evolution with time. That is, he suggests a structure of ancient confederated kingdoms (Old Joseon and other ancient states), ancient aristocratic states (The Three Kingdoms), an aristocratic-bureaucratic state of the middle ages (Goryeo), an early modern bureaucratic state (Joseon), and a modern state (Modernity and Frustrations; Daehan Empire).

In the Introduction, under a title of “What Is the History of Korea?” the author offers a detailed explanation about Korean history and culture in terms of the land and natural environment, identity of Korean culture, vitality of the Korean people, meaning of dynastic changes, views of history, and division of periods. He describes Korean culture and history from a personable and positive viewpoint, which may be seen as a kind of beautification in the eyes of the older generation, who has thus far learned Korean history from an overly cold and dark perspective.
Since its release in 1997, the book has been a steady seller in Korea, which includes 39 printings. Praised by history specialists as well as general readers, it enjoys the widest readership of any introductory book on Korean history. A completely revised and supplemented edition of the book was published in 2004. The author continues to include partial revisions in each printing, always presenting new insights. It is a comprehensive book of Korean history that is absolutely needed at this time when Korean and international interest in Korean history and culture have seen a sharp rise. A regrettable matter is the book’s insufficient annotations about new theories or significant issues. It also might have been helpful if the book had offered substantial notes to enhance the understanding of readers.

With support from the Korea Foundation, an English-language edition of “A Review of Korean History” has been published as a three-volume series: Vol. 1: “Ancient/Goryeo Era,” Vol. 2 “Joseon Era,” and Vol. 3 “Modern/Contemporary Era.” The English publication also contains photos and images in color. Although the English edition came about somewhat belatedly, the translated version, by the eminent political scientist Hahm Chai-bong, will no doubt be a great help to students studying abroad and foreigners majoring in Korean Studies, or anyone who seeks an in-depth understanding of Korea and its history.

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