뉴스레터

As much as the history of Baekje arose from the beginning of Koguryo, the process of how Baekje declined from its heyday is interconnected to developments in the history of Koguryo. The collapse of Baekje soon brought the same fate upon Koguryo. This is why the Northeast Asian History Foundation cannot overlook the history of Baekje, although the Foundation's main area of research has been the ancient history of the Korean peninsula's northern region, including that of Koguryo. For this reason, the Foundation hosted an academic conference on December 10, 2015, under the theme "Baekje and China within Ancient East Asian History." Lee Seong-je, chief of the Foundation's Department of Ancient History, met with Yang Ki-seok, professor emeritus at Chungbuk National University, who attended the conference as a leading authority in the study of Baekje history in Korean academia, to discuss recent trends and developments in research on the history of Baekje. - Editor's note

Lee Seong-je You seem to be even busier than when you were working at Chungbuk National University.

Yang Ki-seok After retiring in 2013, I became the President of the Research Institute of Hoseo Cultural Heritage (juridical foundation), a newly established organization that specializes in archaeological excavation. The opportunity naturally came from participating in many field surveys and excavations of cultural heritages ever since I began working at Chungbuk National University. My involvement in academic activities have considerably decreased since retiring, but I'm still involved in reviewing research papers or projects, giving lectures, and attending advisory committee meetings at research institutes from time to time. In 2014, I also participated with others in a Northeast Asian History Foundation research project named "Translation and Annotation of the Chronicle of Eastern Barbarians (Dongyi zhuan 東夷傳) from the Official Histories of China." The project offered me a chance to revive my academic passion for researching Baekje history, which I had briefly neglected since retiring. I had an exciting, delightful time.

Lee Seong-je I know you've studied almost all aspects including politics, economy, and regional affairs over the entire span of Baekje's history from beginning to end. Yet, you did particularly focus on the Ungjin period, which was after the kingdom's capital relocated to Ungjin. Was there any reason for doing so?

Yang Ki-seok I guess excavating the tomb of King Muryeong at Gongju in 1971 was when I first became interested in the Ungjin Period (475-538). That excavation facilitated a breakthrough in studying the history of Baekje at a time when available records had been scarce. I wanted to know more about King Muryeong. In records about the eras of King Dongseong and King Muryeong in Baekje Annals (Baekje bon-gi 百濟本記) from the History of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk sagi 三國史記), Baekje reclaimed the lower reaches of the Han River soon after moving its capital to Ungjin, and the two kings each made tours to the kingdom's former capital Hanseong (漢城). That part struck me as quite odd and intriguing. I was curious to learn how Baekje under the rule of their successor King Seong managed to recover and enjoy a restoration within such a short period of time. These curiosities and academic interests turned into the topic of my master's degree thesis and opened up a career of studying Baekje history for me.

Lee Seong-je As the kingdom of Koguryo advanced southward, Baekje lost Hanseong and moved its capital to Ungjin. Where would the border between the two kingdoms have been before King Seong of Baekje advanced to the north and reclaimed the Han River basin?

Yang Ki-seok As you know, some consider the lower reaches of the Han River to have always remained as Koguryo's territory between 475 and 551 based on the counties and towns labeled with names of Koguryo origin in Samguk sagi's fourth volume on geography. However, accepting such a view calls for a detailed examination of the background in which Samguk sagi was authored. Contrary to the view I just mentioned about the lower Han River remaining under Koguryo control, I believe there must have been a change of control once or twice. Considering the points where the two kingdoms engaged in battles, built fortresses as well as relevant archaeological relics and remains, the border between Koguryo and Baekje from 475 until King Dongseong's rule of Baekje in the late fifth century had been maintained along a line connected by Asan Bay, Jiksan, Jincheon, Sejong (Naseonggol Fortress at Bugang-ri), Daejeon (Wolpyeong-dong Fortress), Goesan, Chungju (Koguryo Stele of Chungju), and Danyang (Silla Stele of Jeokseong). The inland area of North Chungcheong province during that time therefore must have been laid out in the shape of a gourd bottle.

Nevertheless, Baekje under the reign of King Muryeong by the early sixth century reinforced its attacks on Koguryo and thereby temporarily advanced on to the lower Han River. This is based on the fact that Baekje and Koguryo mainly fought around the lower Han River and north of that area along the Imjin River and Yeseong River. Accepting descriptions from the Samguk sagi as they are may be rather difficult, but it would be safe to assume that unlike before, Baekje attacked Koguryo and advanced into some parts of the lower Han River area. The area was, however, the stage of battles between Baekje and Koguryo, which makes it impossible to believe that Baekje maintained a firm grip on the area. Then, during the seventh year of King Seong's reign in 529, Baekje's defeat in a series of battles at Ogok (today's Seoheung in Hwanghae province) led to the loss of their control over the Han River basin. Considering the locations where battles took place including Doksan Fortress (at today's Yesan), Dosal Fortress (at today's Jeungpyeong), and Geumhyeon Fortress (at today's Yeongi), the border between the two kingdoms must have been thereby realigned along Yesan, Jeungpyeong, and Yeongi. The matter should also be sorted out by examining how place names related to Hanseong appear in records covering between the reign of King Dongseong and King Mu in the Baekje Annals of Samguk sagi.

Lee Seong-je For the study of Koguryo history, relics and remains recovered from China, North Korea, and the mid-section of the Korean peninsula are becoming the source of new breakthroughs. The importance of gaining a grasp on material culture and historical geography is therefore growing. Considering this trend, what would be the archaeological surveys worth keeping an eye on for historical research on Baekje and what would you count as progress made in terms of historical geography?

Yang Ki-seok The process of how Baekje started out as a member statelet of the Mahan confederacy and evolved into an ancient kingdom as well as the formation or nature of Baekje's ruling class have been revealed mostly through excavated material evidence. Aside from the remains related to the capital of Baekje, the sites at Unyang-dong, Gimpo and at Unseo-dong, Incheon would count as notable major remains of Baekje located around the lower Han River basin. Communities in those locations, unlike other communities in the area, are known to have become advanced enough to produce and use ironware since around the first century by either engaging in trade with the Lelang commandery of Han or due to the inflow of migrants from the commandery into those communities. Remains of Baekje villages or tumuli can also be found in Namyang Bay and areas nearby it such as Maha-ri, Dangha-ri, Balan-ri, Kian-ri, and Yo-ri. Also nearby are remains of the earthen fortifications in Gilseong-ri and the Sogeun mountain fortress. The gilt-bronze crown discovered from site at Yo-ri in particular is a symbolic artifact for revealing the relationship between central and provincial forces of Baekje. Remains in Daljeon-ri and Hyeon-ri of Gapyeong and in Woncheon-ri of Hwacheon are situated at the North Han River basin. Particularly among the large number of habitation sites and iron artifacts from Woncheon-ri were horse gear including a bit, stirrup, and ornaments, which proves the fact that Baekje had advanced into the North Han River basin around the fourth century. Remains in Geumneung-dong, Munseong-ri, Tangeumdae, and the Jangmi mountain fortress at Chungju are all part of the South Han River basin.

The areas of Cheonan and Asan are where the statelet Mokji, a central force of the Mahan confederacy, seems to have existed based on the remains from Cheongdang-dong that date back to between the late second century to the late third century. The mid-to-late fourth century remains from Galmae-ri and the remains from between the mid fourth century and early sixth century from Yongwon-ri are significant for exhibiting the expansion of Baekje's forces. The site in Galmae-ri, Asan was where pit features from the Proto-Three Kingdoms period and wooden barricades seemingly from the days of Mahan were uncovered. Moving on from Cheonan over to Gongju, the remains in Suchon-ri are also a meaningful source from before the relocation of Baekje's capital to Ungjin. The site is assumed to have been a burial ground for the clans of Baek and Mok, two powerful nobles of Baekje. The site is also where artifacts symbolizing power and authority were uncovered such as a gilt-bronze crown and Chinese ceramics, all sufficient examples that represent what kind of relationship the local gentry in Gongju had been in with the central government around the fifth century.

Lee Seong-je The Cheongju region including Jeungpyeong (曾坪) is known to have been an area all three major kingdoms fought to occupy. What was it that made the region an arena of competition among the three kingdoms?

Yang Ki-seok The reason was because if one were to set out from Seoul toward a destination in Honam or Youngnam, the southern regions of the Korean peninsula, one would have to take the inland route that goes over the Hwaryeong and Chupungryeong hills along the Sobaek mountain range and passes through Cheongju. The wide plains surrounding Miho stream in Cheongju are ideal conditions for farming and irrigation. Being such a strategic point of inland transportation well furnished with a solid economic base obviously made Cheongju a target all three kingdoms struggled to occupy. This is suggested by the fact that in Samguk sagi, the entry that Baekje colonized Nangjagok Fortress (today's Cheongju) under the reign of King Daru is immediately followed by an entry on how Baekje and Silla engaged in fierce battles over Wasan Fortress (today's Boeun) and Goeyang Fortress (today's Okcheon or Goesan). Precisely for the same reason, Koguryo used the Cheongju area to intentionally break up the alliance between Baekje and Silla as it advanced southward in the late fifth century by making the allied forces repeatedly advance and retreat in today's North Chungcheong region.

Lee Seong-je What was the government of Cheongju like during the Hanseong Baekje era? Could you please introduce us to some of the cultural aspects that were shaped by major forces that used to rule Cheongju?

Yang Ki-seok Records of King Daru's reign in the Baekje Annals of Samguk sagi indicate that Baekje had advanced into Cheongju in the latter half of the first century, but there is no archaeological evidence available to prove it. Cultural relics of Baekje discovered in Cheongju, such as tripod pottery (samjokgi 三足器), dishes with lids (gaebae 蓋杯), horse gear, and ring-pommel swords (hwandu daedo 環頭大刀), date back to the mid-fourth century to serve as proof that the area had become incorporated into Baekje by then. Sites that fall under this case are in Juseong-ri, Sinbong-dong, Gagyeong-dong, and Sannam-dong. Earlier, during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, the local gentry of Cheongju seem to have pursued their own identity as a statelet belonging to the Mahan confederacy rather than that of Baekje. This view makes sense when you look at remains in Sangpyeong-ri, Songdae-ri, Songjeol-dong, and Bongmyeong-dong.

Especially at the hilly site in Bongsang-ri, legged jars with lids (yugae daebuho 有蓋臺付壺) and deep bowl-shaped pottery with circular bottoms (wonjeo simbalhyeong togi) were excavated from pit tombs (togwangmyo 土壙墓). The site also contains a diversity of other burial types such as earthenware coffins (onggwanmyo 甕棺墓) and large stone chamber tombs (seoksilmyo 石室墓). On the site's flatter surfaces were traces of pottery kilns and dwellings from the Proto-Three Kingdoms period as well as dwellings from the Hanseong Baekje period, forming a village or town of sorts where settlements and tombs were mixed together within its boundaries. Archaeological survey of zone no. 7 at the site in Songjeol-dong confirmed that Baekje settlements had once occupied that zone during the fourth century. The survey proved that the site had hosted a large-scale complex with all kinds of manufacturing facilities for smelting, iron smithing, and jade crafting in addition to around 500 settlements and pit features. I believe the site will be very useful in tracing the movements of the local gentry in the Cheongju area from the Proto-Three Kingdoms period up to the stage involving Baekje seem from the remains in Sinbong-dong.

Lee Seong-je You've been a historian and teacher for more than three decades. Would there be any advice you would like to offer to scholars who have just took their first step in their careers or those who chose to pursue the path of scholarship despite being under scant circumstances?

Yang Ki-seok I think it is a huge blessing to be able to choose on your own to do something you love and strive to achieve your goals. However, committing oneself to research does not guarantee that progress will occur overnight nor that huge monetary compensation will follow. It takes a lot of time and effort to be able to succeed. A scholar should not be discouraged even when the circumstances surrounding him or her becomes trying. It will be difficult to achieve positive progress by swimming with the tide and chasing profit. Once you decide of your own accord to enter the path of scholarship, the best way to go down that path is none other than working hard.

Lee Seong-je Ever since the Northeast Asian History Foundation has been established, you have never stopped offering direct or indirect support and encouragement toward the foundation's activities. Is there anything you would like to say to the Foundation as we conclude this interview?

Yang Ki-seok I'm well aware of how the Northeast Asian History Foundation has greatly contributed to enhancing the quality of research in the study of Koguryo history and establishing the identity of Korean history by pointing out Chinese and Japanese distortions of Korean history and by academically proving the holes in arguments supporting such distortions. Yet, the Foundation's status as a research institute seems to have come under considerable challenges as of late. Now would be the time more than ever to put a great deal of effort into securing autonomy. Close cooperation with relevant academic circles would also be necessary in order to maintain a certain level of objectivity in its research. If the foundation was to submit to external pressure and lose its objectivity, how could it continue to criticize China or Japan for misunderstanding and distorting the histories of their own and others?