뉴스레터

Lee Jin-han

Professor of Korean History at Korea University

Professor Lee graduated from the College of History at Korea University and obtained both a master’s and doctoral degrees in Korean History. He served as a visiting professor at the Korea Research Institute of Japan’s Kyushu University in 2007 and now is a professor of Korean history at Korea University. After serving as chief editor at the Korean Medieval History Society and an executive at the Korean History Research Association, he became the head of the Korean History Society this year. Some of his books include, "A Study on the Relationship between Government Offices and Feudal Allowance in Goryeo's Early Years", "A Study on Song Merchants in the Period of Goryeo", "Trade and Sea in the Period of Goryeo", and more. His recent thesis include, "On Yejong of Goryeo: Future Records 'Foreign Residence and Naturalization in the Period of Goryeo', 'The Development of Agricultural Techniques in the Period of Goryeo', 'The History of the Three Kingdoms'."

The (Northeast Asian History) Foundation recently published "Korea’s Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic History" as a series. This series divides the era into Goryeo, Joseon and modern times in order to analyze Korea's foreign affairs and diplomatic history from ancient times up until the South-North division of Korea. The "Goryeo Installment" describes Goryeo's foreign affairs and diplomacy realistically and vividly in such chaotic and transformative times of East Asia. In particular, the Battle of Gwiju, which concluded in a magnificent victory over the Khitans, is described as a brilliant achievement through which Goryeo was able to raise its international standing after a long struggle. Now, let's meet Korea University's professor Lee Jin-han, the principle editor of the book "Korea's Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy - Goryeo Installment," to examine its academic significance and listen to his suggestions to promote the studies of Korean diplomatic history.

Q

Recently, the foundation published "Korea’s Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy – Goryeo Installment" (hereinafter referred to as "Goryeo Installment"). Please give a brief introduction about the book and its characteristics.

A

The "Korea’s Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy" series began with the foundation's launch of the Korean Diplomatic History Compilation Committee in 2015. The members consisted of experts in diplomatic history, as well as those in diplomacy and foreign affairs of Korean history. In the past, the Japanese Empire portrayed the Joseon Dynasty as being passive while being greatly influenced by external forces, in order to justify its forcible occupation of the Korean Peninsula. After national liberation, scholars from both South and North Korea lashed out at the "heteronomous theory" used to describe the Joseon Dynasty. However, no book has ever described our ancestors' struggle with their neighbors in East Asia from ancient times to modern times, from the perspective of our people. So this series can be said to be a work that overcomes the "heteronomous theory" and embodies the proactive and aggressive aspects of Korean history. It may be 68 years after we regained the sovereignty of historical research, but its academic significance is great. I would like to express my gratitude to the members of various editorial committees who helped in the publication of this series.

Q

A total of 10 experts participated in writing the "Goryeo Installment," including you, Professor Lee. There might have been differing academic views among this group of scholars. I am curious as to how you coordinated such differences as the principal editor.

A

During the Goryeo Dynasty, there were many periods of time during which several dynasties coexisted in China simultaneously. For example, from the year 960 up until 1278, when the Song Dynasty existed, there were Khitan, Jin and Mongol in China. The section that I wrote on Song's diplomacy comprehensively examined Song's relationships with Khitan, Jin and Mongol. Here, I described how Goryeo made diplomatic efforts to maximize its national interests against the pluralistic international background in China. On the contrary, the scholar who wrote the section on diplomatic relations with Khitan or Jin, naturally, had to keep in mind these territories' relationships with Song. Therefore, the contents may overlap and there may be differences in viewpoints related to diplomatic events. However, we made it a rule for the members to write their views freely, acknowledging that the existence of different views is the best feature of historical studies. It was the same with the use of terminology.

However, we did make efforts to unify our formats as much as possible. Before we started writing, we all gathered to discuss the basic narrative direction and principle. We also sent the original manuscript to other authors for reference. As a result, the installment was made as if one author wrote its entirety.

Q

In the preface, you said this book is not the end but rather the start of the compilation of diplomatic history, calling the "Goryeo Installment" "Version 1.0." What do you mean by this?

A

I call the "Goryeo Installment" "Version 1.0" because it is the first book on diplomatic history and it leaves much to be desired. It would be great is new researchers made this book an "old version" as quickly as possible by writing even better books. I am confident that young, Korean scholars majoring in diplomatic history, with access to materials from abroad, will be able to write a more complex set of Korean diplomacy books.

Q

Do you have any regrets after writing this book? What do we, as the public, have to do in order to make this book more accessible in the future?

A

The part we were most worried about when writing the book was also the same as the question. We asked authors to directly cite historical data so that readers could form their own opinions and feelings about Goryeo diplomats' efforts and achievements. However, it’s regretful that there are some parts that the public may find difficult to understand because of our emphasis on professionalism. So we want to work on a "Korean Diplomatic History Book" as an easy and interesting successor project. As of now, the plan is to public a one-volume "Korean Diplomatic History Book" that collects the major events from each installment of the series, from ancient times to modern times. Furthermore, in order to make it easier for the younger generation to understand diplomatic history, we would like to create webtoons or videos with the theme "Top 100 Events of Korean Diplomatic History." We would upload these on the Northeast Asian History Foundation’s website or other media platforms as YouTube as a way to foster public access to such information.

Q

During the Goryeo Dynasty, relations with China were complicated and war was widespread. What were some of Goryeo's diplomatic achievements in such a chaotic period?

A

The Goryeo Dynasty would have been conquered or ruined had it not won the hearts and minds of the people during its lengthy wars and conflicts with neighboring countries. Additionally, the Goryeo Dynasty's excellent diplomatic competency played a very important role in its own defense. When we look at the period of time when the Khitans were at war with the Goryeo Dynasty, we can see that Goryeo exercised its diplomatic capabilities several times. During the first war with the Khitans, Seo Hui negotiated with Xiao Sunning in order to end the war and obtain the six counties in Gangdong near the Yalu River. It was thanks Seo Hui's accurate comprehension of why the Khitans invaded that the Goryeo Dynasty was able to profit from those negotiations. Also, despite Goryeo's resulting victory after the third war, King Hyeonjong decided to honor Khitan instead of boasting about its own victory. In return, the Khitans respected Goryeo's status and sent envoys to congratulate the Goryeo king on another birthday which was rare in such a relationship between rivals. Though Goryeo was a small country with a population of just over 3 million, it was able to confront gigantic empires my exercising diplomatic competency during the course of raging wars, during negotiations and during the post-war process. After all, the Goryeo Dynasty was able to expand its territory by embracing the Balhae immigrants and by possessing Usanguk and Tamna-guk, handing these territories onto the next dynasty, the Joseon Dynasty. This is considered to be Goryeo's best diplomatic accomplishment.

Q

These days there are more foreign scholars interested in Korean studies. Do you have any ideas about how to share Korean studies with foreign academia or how to distribute our national research around the world?

A

Thanks to the Korean wave that's sweeping the nation, the number of young foreign people specializing in Korean studies is increasing. There are many talented people who are studying Korean history abroad and graduating from prominent universities. Among the Western scholars that I met and interacted with, opted for Korean studies because of their countries' relationships with Korea, even though they could have gained greater honor and wealth had they majored in Chinese or Japanese studies. In that regard, we should cherish, respect and help full heartedly the foreigners who opted for Korean studies in foreign countries. However, when Korea helps such scholars, they are portrayed and viewed as receiving benefits. This could block the inflow of subsequent generations of scholars who wish to specialize in Korean studies abroad. Therefore, I think that we should support them humbly for their achievements while recognizing them as authentic "researchers" or "scholars." In order to do this, it is necessary to change perception among support organizations such as the Northeast Asian History Foundation, the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Academy of Korean Studies. When we recognize them for studying in such a difficult environment, more foreigners will have the courage to face the challenge of specializing in Korean studies. Some Western scholars change their focus to Korean studies in graduate school after majoring in Chinese or Japanese studies in university. These students often carry preconceptions from their previous studies into Korean studies, however they should not be blamed or isolated either. Instead, it is necessary to change their perception by gradually providing them with opportunities to conduct joint studies or make exchanges with other Korean scholars.

Q

Finally, is there anything you want from the foundation with respect to Korean diplomatic history of foreign affairs?

A

I believe it is imperative to translate the four installments on the history of Korea's foreign affairs and diplomacy into foreign languages. To begin, this book is about the history of Korea's relationship with East Asia. If translated into English, it could help foster the understanding of Korean history in areas where English is generally spoken and can serve as an introduction to the history of East Asia. At the same time, it will foster in other countries a good impression of Korea, which has remained an independent state despite its proximity to China. Additionally, Chinese scholars may have interest in this book as a large part of it is devoted to China. However, because many Chinese scholars do not know the Korean alphabet or language, it would be imperative to also create a Chinese version in order to encourage such scholars to access this material. In fact, I showed the book to some Chinese scholars after it was published and they requested a translated version. In the same vein, we expect demand from Japan to a certain extent because our relationship with Japan accounts for a large portion of the modern installment. I believe that this will be one of the most effective ways to educate the world about our diplomatic history while fulfilling the task of establishing a foundation of East Asian history.