The proposed book is an attempt to simplify the Korean History and make it easy for the students to understand the historical events and issues of Korean history. The aim is also to generate an interest among the students in Korean history and widen the scope of Korean Studies. In this light, the book is very useful in achieving the objective of the project that is to promote the Korean studies in India.
For last five decades, Korean studies have been taught in India and recently the number of learners for Korean studies is impressively snowballing along with cultural exposure and economic ties between India and Korea. Hereby, the basic study materials were in serious need. Our research team felt a responsibility for this, this book "Introduction to Korean Studies" is published as one volume with the support of Academy of Korean Studies. Still, it should be deepened in contents and present many more ideas. There is a long way to go. Nevertheless, a draft was made and presented for researchers and students. It may be very useful for their learning and sharpening their speculative insight.
Korea, known in the World as "The Land of Morning Calm," is one of the oldest nations in the World and the home of homogenous people with solid individualistic traits. Every individual and nation possesses certain unique features that distinguish them from others. Their shared history, culture, customs, and tradition are some of those factors. The Korean people not only possess these features but also identify themselves by and take pride in them. Moreover, the most vital point of Korean self-identity lies in their rich history, culture, and ideals.
Korean life has been dominated by geographic position. Attached to the Asian continental mass on one side and surrounded by ocean on three others, Korea and her history have been shaped by her larger and more powerful neighbors, China and Japan. Because of its location, Korea has been called the "Heart of East Asia." Korea experienced repeated invasions during the Chinese.
Han and Tang emperors in the past, and in the thirteenth century, the Mongols invaded and occupied the peninsula. The Japanese attacks in the late sixteenth century, followed by destructive Manchu invasions in the early seventeenth century, destroyed the native government and robbed Korea's cultural and historical relics, leaving a sense of isolation and defeat. The historical invasions on one side and the legacy of Japanese colonial rule, and the arbitrary partition of the Korean peninsula along the 38th parallel in August 1945 on the other side, led its people with a clannishness, a deep sense of mistrust and suspicion. Korea has become a focal point of world politics, one of the most sensitive spots in the balance of power scheme.
However, a proper understanding of Korea needs more objective and balanced views and requires some basic knowledge of Korean history. So far, several versions of Korean history in the English language have been published. Nevertheless, the present attempt is another effort to provide a gateway for the readers to understand the unique history of Korea in a textbook format. In the limited space, efforts were made to offer historical events briefly. As a result, it is not a complete history of Korea, and it is our earnest hope that this short history of the Korean people is a window for the readers to acquire knowledge and a deeper understanding of tradition and the transformation of Korea.
To thank our bright and talented research team Ms. Torunika Roy, Mr. Aman Verma and Abhishek Ranjan worked tirelessly to make this book possible. These scholars played a significant role in turning the vast Korean history into a concise textbook.
About The Author
Prof. Kim, Do-young had taught Korean at Jawahalal Nehru University and University of Delhi. Currently, he is working as an Honorary Director at Jamia Millia Islamia and Korea Foundation Visiting Professor. He has published numerous Bharati Korean Language series, dictionaries, grammar, Hanja etc.
Dr. Sudhakar Vaddi is working as an Assistant Professor Korean Division, Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), School of International Studies (SIS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
