뉴스레터

We live in South Korea, but history is not limited to this place. Our history such as Goguryeo, Balhae, Buyeo, Okjeo, and Eupru also exists in the northern regions of North Korea and Manchuria. In the process of the growth and destruction of Gojoseon, the first nation in our history, the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria were separated into various groups and countries. Among them, there is a history that only the name is known, and even the research to grasp its reality is not done properly. The 'Okjeo' that lived in the Korean East Sea Rim along the East Coast to the Maritime Province, and the 'Malgal' which formed the foundation of the Balhae, was an unknown history that was rarely known in Korean archaeology and ancient history.

The northern region lacks a historical record of it, and is located in an area that we can't actually go to. Therefore, the history of the northern people has been regarded as 'the side', and the study of it has been neglected in Korean history. However, due to archaeology that can overcome the limitations of historical data, various data were discovered in Manchuria and Maritime Province. As a result, facts about various groups in the north were newly revealed. The only breakthrough in the lack of literature is archaeological data. Archaeological excavation data is increasing day by day, unlike historical data. Therefore, it is suitable for studying peoples such as Okjeo and Eupru, which were difficult to study due to lack of historical data. Archaeological data on them are found in Russia, China, and North Korea, where we can not easily go. So I have been studying Russia and China for the past 10 years and have been able to clarify it in this book through the latest data on Okjeo and Eupru.

The remains of Okjeo displayed at the Korean-Chinese Museum in Yanbian

It is not just an act of seeing a page of history to look back at the forgotten Okjeo and Eupru in history. This is because it is the foundation for our history after the unification, and the Northeast Korea which is a marginalized history. Hamgyung-do and Gangwon-do were the center of exchanges in the Korean East Sea Rim. The area is connected to Baekdudaegan, which corresponds to the spine of the Korean peninsula, and northern Eurasia through North Korea. Since the Bronze Age, Northeast Korea has been a major route of ancient culture connecting Korea and Eurasia. This is also the way the Eurasian Railway continues. The railway runs through Hamgyungnam-do and Hamgyungbuk-do and continues along the Usuri and Amur rivers through the Russian border city of Hassan. And it passes through the area where Okjeo and Eupru lived. This is another significance in the story of Okjeo and Eupru, which has been connecting us and the continent for 2,000 years. 

The Slender Bronze Daggers of the Maritime Province left by Okjer person

As the 21st century begins, the interpretation of history centered on China is getting worse. As the historical view of China, especially Zhōngyuán, has emerged, its interpretation and effect are starting from now on. In Korea, it has become an issue with the China's Northeast Project, but this is actually related to the historical awareness of Northeast Asia. In other words, it instills the perception of 'Northeast Asia=China' to scholars around the world including Korea. Therefore, let's look at the emphasis in the flow of Korean ancient culture that existed separately from China. Then, it will be able to escape from the Chinese-centered history view and provide a starting point for looking at Northeast Asia from a new perspective.

The main stage of Okjeo and Eupru is the Far East region of modern Russia. Our interest in this area has been focused solely on Balhae. However, the fact that this place was part of Korean history from before is proved by Okjeo and Eupru. Public and political interests have played a role in the Balhae-oriented investigation so far. I hope that through the people of Okjeo and Eupru, it will be an opportunity to see the ancient history of Korea, which is connected to the north in addition to Balhae.

The combined site of the Ussuri River and the Amur River, 

which were the sites of the Okjeo People and Eupru People in the Korean East Sea Rim

The historical conflict in Northeast Asia is not easily sealed and is continuing. Korea emphasizes Korea's unique history, and China reinterprets all over East Asia, focusing on its own country. At a time when interest in history has increased internationally, let's think about why we can not study our history properly. Most of the ancient history majors are Baekje and Silla majors. Recently, the number of majors in Goguryeo and Balhae has increased a lot. But in general, it is only a small part. Not to mention the history of northern peoples such as Okjeo, Eupru, and Buyeo. The reason why Okjeo and Eupru were alienated from history is because they were included in the Chinese-centered historical awareness. In the traditional perception of finding all advanced cultures in China, Korean East Sea Rim and Gangwon-do were the frontiers.

In fact, Okjeo and Eupru are not the only peoples who are not properly evaluated in history. The people include Dumakru in the northern region which formed a group with huge castles in the Samgang Plain where the Heilong River and the Wushuri River meet, Dongye in Hamgyeongnam-do, Bu-yeo which has maintained the country for over 700 years, and Yemaek and Malgal in Gangwon-do. The reason why there are many alienated peoples and countries in the north is because of the historical perspective centered on South Korea. The pain of modern history of division, and the national barriers such as Russia and China are also big reasons. It is time to meet Eurasia and re-discuss the relationship with the continent beyond the framework of South Korea. Looking at Okjeo and Eupru which are our northern history, is not just restoring history. This will be the first step toward taking away the history conflict and looking at our history at a macroscopic perspective and at a new level.

The whole world is shaking in the Covid-19. It is still vague whether we can go to find the remains and relics of Okjeo and Eupru in Maritime Province and Yanbian, which were easy to go in the past. But we could go to the northern region someday. The day will come when the inter-Korean railway will be opened and will follow the Tumen River to Eurasia. The road the Eurasian train runs is the land of Okjeo and Eupru. In that sense, the history of Okjeo and Eupru is not a forgotten ancient history, but a new history of the way to Eurasia. I hope this book will help young and new researchers interested in our northern history to go on their way to Eurasia.