Syllabus for
“International Relations in East Asia”
(Korea’s Relations with China, Japan & USA, in Context)
Hanyang University International Summer School
July 5th ~ 28st, 2016 1-4pm
18106 PSD2022 School of Business Building, Room 305
Prof. David A. Mason
Public Service Department, Chung-Ang University, Seoul
010-9734-9753 www.san-shin.org
Course Objectives
This is a mainly a Political History and Current International Relations Course, with a measure of Asian Cultural Studies included. Its objective will be will be to make beginning-level students become familiar with the more than 2000 years of history between Korea, China and Japan. Emphasis will be placed on the origins of each nation, general themes of their partnerships and conflicts, crucial incidents, and the intervention of other powers such as Mongolia, Russia, Europe and, mainly, the United States. The origins and significance of the current problem-issues and differing perspectives between the three will be explored, including issues of North Korea and re-unification; the “great game” now being played between those three and the USA will be investigated in light of recent and current events. The lectures and readings will be practical and interesting, focused on important trends and not petty details, and therefore will be memorable for the students.
Textbook Information
A few relevant academic articles and Professor’s Handouts will be the main texts used, as posted on the website, and exams will be slightly based on them (but mainly the lectures). Students have the option of reading various other relevant texts. Students should read the assigned handout material before the lecture, and come prepared to ask questions and engage in active discussion.
Assessment Criteria
This course will be graded based on:
30% the First Exam
30% the Second Exam
30% the Third (final) Exam
10% Attendance Record and Professor’s assessment of student participation
Exams will include both factual knowledge and short essay questions. They are not cumulative. The professor will present much information during his lectures that is not covered in the reading, and this material will be included on the exam – therefore, students should take careful notes during the lectures, and ask for clarification of anything not understood.
Topics of Each Lecture:
00 Mon 7/04 Orientation
01 Tues 7/05 Introductions, and Opening Themes of East-Asian Relations
02 Wed 7/06 Korean & Chinese Origins, Earliest Contacts and Ancient Relations
03 Thurs 7/07 Early Relations between the Three Nations; Sui attacks Goguryeo
04 Mon 7/11 Early & Medieval Relations between the Three Nations first exam
Ancient Transmission of Civilization from Korea to Japan
05 Tues 7/12 The Mongol Conquest of Asia and its Aftermath
Launch of the Joseon Dynasty
06 Wed 7/13 The Origin, Progress and Consequences of the Imjin War
07 Thurs 7/14 No Class – make-up assignment
08 Mon 7/18 second exam
American and European Involvement in the 1800s
09 Tues 7/19 Imperial Japan’s War against Korea, China & etc 1895-1945
10 Wed 7/20 The Division of Korea by the Great Powers after WW-II
The Issues and Changes of the Early Modern Era
11 Thurs 7/21 Challenges and Dramatic Transformations of the 1970s-80s
Olympics and Democracy in South Korea; collapse of NK
12 Mon 7/25 Issues and Changes of the Recent Modern Era - and Final Exam
13 Tues 7/26 Student Presentations on NE Asian Issues part one
14 Wed 7/27 Student Presentations on NE Asian Issues part two
15 Thurs 7/28 Student Presentations on NE Asian Issues part three
Final Discussion of the Future of NE Asia
00 Fri 7/29 Graduation Ceremony
01 Tues 7/05 Introductions, and Opening Themes of East-Asian Relations
Introductions of Students and Professor
Romanization of Han-geul
Geographical setting of North-east Asia and its influences on culture
Introduction of the “Great Game” among the Four Nations involved (and a few others)
Overview of Current Issues
02 Wed 7/06 Korean & Chinese Origins, Earliest Contacts and Ancient Relations
Ancient Transmission of Civilization from Korea to Japan
General Historical and Cultural Themes of North-east Asia, and Scholarship of its History
Basic points of Chinese Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism related to relations
Bronze-Age Korean Pre-History (Manchuria and Peninsula); formation of identity and Shamanism
King Dan-gun and Foundation Myths of the Three Kingdoms; from the Samguk Yusa
The continuing influence of this story on contemporary North-east Asian Relations
03 Thurs 7/07 Early Relations between the Three Nations; Sui attacks Goguryeo
The Mongol Conquest of Asia and its Aftermath
Formation of the Sam-han, and Lolang Commandery 108 BC under Emperor Han Wu-ti.
Introduction of Chinese Iron-Age Culture, Kingship and Buddhism by missionaries and trade;
Mason’s “one package theory”. 4th Cen Chinese Buddhism – its state-oriented and protective-guardian character – Hoguk Bulgyo
The Three Kingdoms 삼국시대 三國時代 early conditions and cultural formation of Goguryeo 고구려 高句麗 (north) Baekje 백제百濟 (SW) Shilla 신라 新羅 (SE)
n China was dis-united at that time – Civil War from 220 ~ 589 CE, when Sui re-united China
Stele of Goguryeo King Gwanggaeto was erected near his tomb in 414 by his son King Jangsu, in what is today the city of Ji'an along the Yalu River. Granite, ~7 meters tall, ~4 meters wide, 1802 Classical Chinese characters. Major primary source extant for the history of Goguryeo.
Sui attack Goguryeo 612-16, repulsed by General Eulji Mundeok 을지문덕 乙支文德
04 Mon 7/11 Early & Medieval Relations between the Three Nations
Ancient Transmission of Civilization from Korea to Japan
The Mongol Conquest of Asia and its Aftermath
Early transmission of culture to Japan – in the Yamato period 250–710 CE, centered in Nara, then known as Yamato Province.
Strong influence on Japan from Gaya, then Shilla, 500s-600s; some also from Sui China.
Japanese Prince Shōtoku 574–622 Regent for Queen, most important early figure in formation of Chinese / Korean style “royal” system of government in Japan during Asuka period 538–710.
Shilla Monk Hyecho tutors Japanese crown prince @600
Strong influence on Japan from Baekje 660s-70s. Increasing contact with Tang China.
Queens Seondeok (r.632-47) and Jindeok (r.647-54) poem-letter to Tang Emp
“Unification Era” 663~677 created by General Kim Yu-shin 김유신 金庾信 under Great Kings Taejong Muryeol 태종 무열왕 太宗 武烈王 (r.654-61) and Munmu 문무대왕 文武大王 (r.661-681)
China & Shilla defeat Goguryeo & Baekje in 680s, Chinese occupy Baekje but are driven out
called the Unified Shilla Dynasty Tong-il Shilla 통일 신라 統一新羅 (668 CE - 935 CE)
the Balhae Kingdom in former Goguryeo territory lasts 699-926.
Japan begins using title “Emperor” somewhere around 700 – and becomes a problem for Korea.
Stories of King Munmu
Jang Bogo ruled the Yellow Sea region as naval-commander and trader, in the early 800s
Choi Chi-won 최치원 崔致遠 (857-?) Pen-name Go-un고운孤雲 or Hae-un 해운 海雲
genius, official career in Tang China, helped defeat great rebellion, returned to save his nation Shilla, in 894 submitted his "Ten Urgent Points of Reform" simu sipyeojo (시무십여조 時務十餘條) to Queen Jinseong (887-897), but his advice ignored. Diplomat to China; quoted by President Xi.
Taejo Wang Geon (b.877, r.918-43) founded the Goryeo Dynasty 935-1390
Gaeseong as the new capital city, flowering of State-led Buddhist Culture
1184 Goryeo conquers the Tamna Kingdom of Jeju Island, it becomes “Korean”
05 Tues 7/12 The Mongol Conquest of Asia and its Aftermath
Launch of the Joseon Dynasty
Mongol conquest (1231-59) and rule (1260-1350)
Korea’s worldly but enslaved condition; royalty slowly becomes mongol
Mongols attacked Japan with Korean labor and wood-shipbuilding from Jeju
Nov 1274 and Aug 1281 (kamikaze, 4000 ships lost)
population reduction, debauchery of everything. But one great result: Printing!
Tripitaka Koreana / Palman-daejang-gyeong 고려팔만 대장경 高麗八萬大藏經
carved on Ganghwa-do 1236-51 (moved to Haein-sa 1399) 81,000 blocks! 52mil words!
Taejo 태조太祖Yi Seong-gye 이성계李成桂(1335-1408) coup, founded the Joseon Dynasty 1392-1910
Radical Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology Hanyang (Seoul) becomes capital
Ming Relations, meaning of Joseon, white pine trees
06 Wed 7/13 The Origin, Progress and Consequences of the Imjin War
King Sejong –daewang세종대왕 世宗大王 (r.1418-50) – Han-geul, science, good-Gov
Yulgok Yi I – scholar-official who advocated a strong Korean Military, was sadly ignored
1592–1630: invasions by Japan & Manchus, destruction theft of Arts.
Imjin War 임진왜란 壬辰倭亂 suddenly invasion by Hideyoshi, lasts 1592-98.
defence by local groups & Buddhist monks;
Masters Seosan 西山大師 Samyeong-dang 四溟堂 leads to Namhan-Sanseong 9 temples
Naval victories by Chungmu-gong Yi Sun-shin 충무공 忠武公 Martial Loyalty Lord 이순신 李舜臣
08 Mon 7/18 second exam
American and European Involvement in the 1800s
Non-gae 논개 論介 and the Cult of Loyalty. She killed a famous Japanese General (but who?) in 1593 at the Uiam 의암 義巖, "righteousness rock" of Jinju. Family rewarded and Shrines built.
Assistance from Ming China 1593 and 1598. Gratitude for that.
But then submission to the Manchus by 1630.
1630–1850: conservative “hermit kingdom” under philosophy of U-am Song Shi-yeol 우암송시열 尤庵 宋時烈 (1607–1689) – strict Neo-Confucianism enforced, devotion to the Ming – Samhwangje & etc.
1839–42 The First Opium War 第一次鴉片戰爭 or Anglo-Chinese War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Empire. British Victory, expansion from Hong Kong; China humiliated.
Japan: the Bakumatsu 幕末 or “Opening of Japan” 1853 ~ 1867.
The final years of the “Edo Period” when the feudal-isolationist Tokugawa shogunate was defeated by the pro-imperial nationalists. Prelude to the pre-modern empire of the Meiji Period / Era 明治時代 1868 ~ 1912, of rapid modernization and expansion of the Empire of Japan.
Korea: Catholicism intro and Persecutions late 1700s through 1800s.
1850–1910: first Western contacts for Korea, introduction of Protestant Christianity
Heungseon Daewon-gun or Yi Ha-eung, regent of Joseon during the minority of King Gojong,
Powerful from the 1860s until his death in 1873 – seclusion policy against foreigners, Christians.
Great Persecution of 1866 – killing of thousands of Catholics, including 7 French priests.
French navy attacks Ganghwa Island, steals royal books – returned in 2006.
1866 USS General Sherman Incident
American navy attacks Ganghwa Island 1871
Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876 on Ganghwa Island – Busan & etc opened.
Korea asks the advice of Yuán Shì-kǎi 袁世凱 (1859-1916), the Chinese general, Foreign Minister, politician, first formal President of the Republic of China, and (briefly) Emperor. He recommends America.
1882 Negotiations and Treaty with US Navy officers, then American Embassy in Seoul.
“Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation” 조·미수호통상조약 朝美修好通商條約.
09 Tues 7/19 Imperial Japan’s War against Korea, China & etc 1895-1945
The Division of Korea by the Great Powers after WW-II
The Issues and Changes of the Early Modern Era
King Gojong and his wife Queen Min / Minbi / Empress Myeongseong in power 1873-1895.
All nations struggle over Korea, but only Japan, China and Russia have strong interest.
Attempted reforms fail. the Donghak Rebellion fails 1894, leading to Cheondo-gyo 천도교
Japan defeats China in 1895, and Queen Min was Murdered
Christian Missionaries try to assist and inspire – but mostly in futility
Korea’s “Independence” & “Empire” declared 1897. New Gate, Gojong à “Emperor Gwangmu”.
America takes the Philippines from Spain in 1898
Japan defeats Russia in 1905. USA just stands by. Taft-Katsura Memorandum.
Formal Japanese Colonial Occupation from 1910 to 1945
early modern nationalism led by American Christian influence, Cheondo-gyo and Buddhists
Reactions to loss of sovereignty varied. Some cooperate, collaborate, others resist
Aftermath of WW-I (USpresident Wilson) Gojong’s funeral ==> 1919 March First Movement (Sam-il-jeol)
Repression in the 1930s.
10 Wed 7/20 The Division of Korea by the Great Powers after WW-II part 1
The Issues and Changes of the Early Modern Era
WW-II – Late 1930s~45 – Total War for the three nations. Great Suffering.
America interferes in 1941.
5-Star General Douglas MacArthur, becomes “Emperor of East Asia”
Liberation and Division 1945-49
Division of Korea begins as a long-shot accident…!
American offer to treat Korea like Philippines; rejected by Kim Gu and others.
America’s choice Rhee vs. the popular Choice Kim Gu. Stalin installs Kim Il-sung in North.
11 Thurs 7/21 The Division of Korea by the Great Powers after WW-II part 1
The Issues and Changes of the Early Modern Era
RoK established 1948 by the UN, and then the Korean War 1950-53.
Seoul vs. Pyeongyang; North Korea’s pseudo-communist cultish dictatorship;
Kim Il-sung’s Juche ideology and destruction of traditional culture in the North
ROK military dictatorship and resistance to it – the 1965 Treaty with Japan
Vietnam War sparks Industrialization. 5 reasons that Korea joined.
Korea’s relations with America, Japan & the world. Park vs. Carter
Park assassinated in October 1979. New coup on 12.12.79
The brutal Chun dictatorship 1980-87
the 1988 Seoul Olympics Democracy, opening to the world, showing-off tech development, relations with Russia and China, defeat of NK’s boycott campaign / utter humiliation of NK.
North Korea fails at attempts to open up under Kim Jong-il,
January 1991 Gulf War shows that NK military is useless.
despite pressures, leading to ongoing famine and nuclear weapons crisis 1994 ~
SK splitting away from the USA and the new cultural nationalism; the 2002 World Cup
Revived relationships with China and Japan
Cultural aspects of Kim & Roh’s Sunshine Policy towards North Korea
Revival of Conservatives, even as society keeps becoming more Liberal
Important ROK Presidents:
1948-1960 Syngman Rhee / Yi / I / Lee Seung-man
1961-1979 Park Chung Hee / Bak Jeong-hui
1980-1987 Chun Doo Hwan / Jeon Duhwan
1988-1992 Roh Tae Woo / No Tae-u
1993-1997 Kim Young Sam / Gim Yeong-sam
1998-2002 Kim Dae Jung / Gim Dae-jung
2003-2007 Roh Moo Hyun / No Mu-hyeon
2008-2012 Lee Myung Bak / I Myeong-bak
2013-2017 Park Geun Hye / Bak Geun-hye
Key Points of Korean-American History 19th ~ 20th Centuries
1853 first contact between the US and Korea – the gunboat “South America” visited Busan for 10 days while en route to Japan; her officers dined with local officials. Several Americans shipwrecked in Korea in 1855, 1865 and 1866 were treated well and sent to China for repatriation. Not hostile in any way, but Joseon (Heungseon Daewongun) maintained isolationism. Admiral Matthew Perry opened Tokyo in 1853, but no interest in Korea.
1866 9–24 July the General Sherman incident, the Daedong River near Pyeongyang.
All killed. NK claims attack was led by Kim Il-sung’s great-grandfather. Memorial.