Northeast Project 

Another pending issue that must be resolved in Northeast Asia is the Northeast Project. 

The Northeast Project was launched in 2002 by China’s Borderland History and Geography Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The published works in the Northeast Project state that Koguryo and Balhae were Chinese provincial states and comprised of Chinese minority ethnic groups. However, these two kingdoms were part of Korea’s ancient history. There is ample evidence proving that the outcomes of the Northeast Project are incorrect. 

First, Koguryo, one of Korea’s ancient kingdoms, had its own strong monarchy that lasted for 705 years. How could it have been a provincial state of ancient China when 35 kingdoms rose and fell in China during that same period? 

Then there is the existence of the King Gwanggaeto Stele, which stands majestically in the heart of Ji’an city and erected in honor of King Gwanggaeto who accomplished the greatest territorial expansion in Koguryo history. Chumo, the founding king of Koguryo, is referred to as the “Heavenly Son” in an inscription on the stele. King Gwanggaeto of Koguryo also used an independent royal title, "Youngrak," rather than a Chinese royal title and this also proves that it was a kingdom independent from China. 

Third, even Chinese history books state that Koguryo was an independent nation, unrelated to China. Koguryo, Silla, and Baekje appear in the world history category of the Official History of Later Han, Old Official History of Tang, New Official History of Tang and other Chinese history books. In Korea''''s Samguk sagi (“History of the Three Kingdoms”) and Samguk yusa (“Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms”), Koguryo is included with Silla and Baekje in the royal history section that pertains to Korea’s history. 

Fourth, there is also historical evidence that Balhae, another ancient Korean kingdom in that region, was not a provincial state of China. Extant diplomatic documents dispatched from Balhae to ancient Japan reveal that Balhae is the successor to Koguryo. In the palace ruins of Balhae''''s capital, traces of Koguryo''''s ondol floor-heating system have been found, which is further proof of Balhae’s connection to Koguryo. The Northeast Project that was initiated in February 2002 was completed by 2007. Already tourist information signs and various other changes have been made to reflect the historical narrative presented in the Northeast Project. 

An example is the permanent Liao He Civilization exhibit in the Liaoning Provincial Museum. In the exhibit, all the civilizations and historical events that occurred in Liao He are said to be a part of Chinese history. The Liao He area is intimately linked to Korean civilization as it is the birthplace of Korean kingdoms such as Gojoseon (Archaic Joseon), Buyeo, Koguryo, and Balhae. 

There is a model example that both Korea and China can follow. 
Mongolia registered its Orkhon Valley, the historical and cultural center of Mongolian nomads, as a World Heritage Site, and revealed that some of the ancient ruins are of Turkish origins. 

As in the case shown by Mongolia and Turkey, mutual respect and recognition of each other’s history would benefit relations between China and Korea.