Great ideas that changed Korea

In 1950, The Times, a British newspaper, wrote that “There is more of a chance of a rose blooming out of a trash heap, than this country being able to stand on its own.” Seeing Korea going to war soon after 35 years of Japanese occupation, most of the world was pessimistic about the future of Korea. However, Korea emerged from the devastation of war, and achieved both democracy and economic development. It became the first country to transform itself from aid beneficiary to donor. The people of the world called it a miracle. However, it was not a miracle. It was a natural consequence of Korea’s strong cultural heritage and the Korean people’s DNA of dreams.
There are a lot of stories about Koreans who took on challenges in the areas of ideas, inventions, explorations, events, and paths. Korea has evolved through the Korean people’s pursuit of their dreams. Now, it is our turn to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors. Like our ancestors, we can create great changes for our country. Through our dreams, we can also change the world. Please join us in our journey of pursuing our dreams.

■ Great Ideas
Koreans’ dreams reflect great ideas that have been passed down from their ancestors. Some examples are Hongik Ingan (the idea of promoting the welfare of all humanity), Minbon Philosophy (the idea of people-oriented politics), and community mindset (the idea of sharing with an emphasis on the value of helping one another in difficult times).

1. Hongik Ingan 홍익인간
The principle of Hongik Ingan means to promote the welfare of all humanity. It is Korea’s founding principle and educational philosophy. It originated from the founding principle of the first Korean kingdom of Gojoseon (2333-108 B.C.). Today’s young Koreans are actively practicing this principle and it is evident in the fact that Korea has the second largest number of overseas volunteers in the world.

2. Minbon Philosophy 민본사상
The principle of Minbon is a political philosophy that emphasizes people-oriented politics. Throughout history, Korea’s leaders adopted the basic idea that no country can exist without the people. Particularly, King Sejong (1397-1450) invented an alphabet to help the life of illiterate commoners, which is unprecedented in human history. He also provided welfare benefits, even to slaves at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

3. Hoguk Spirit (patriotism) 호국정신
Whenever the existence of Korea was in danger, national heroes appeared. The prime example is Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Despite Japan’s conventional military superiority, Yi repeatedly defeated Japanese forces, and saved the country from the national crisis of the Imjin War. When most were losing hope, Yi said “If you risk your life, you shall survive. If you try to save your life, you shall die.

4. High integrity 청렴정신
“Treat gold like stone.” It was a motto that General Choi Young (1316-1388) of Goryeo (918-1392) followed for his entire life. He was upright and righteous, and was never involved in bribery or corruption even when he was in high governmental positions. His high integrity still sets the example for today’s government officials in Korea.

5. Seonbi Spirit (introspection) 선비정신
Traditionally, Koreans valued high integrity and distance from material desires. Particularly, Seonbi, Confucius scholars, focused on self-discipline, rather than the pursuit of power or wealth. They spent their entire life trying to improve their knowledge and educate students.

6. Community Mindset: sharing 나눔 공동체 정신
Jeong in Korean means love or affection for others. Jeong is reflected in the Korean traditions of Dure or Pumasi, which is a reciprocal exchange of labor among community members. Koreans also have a long tradition of sharing one another’s emotions to support their neighbors like a family.

■Great Inventions
Koreans’ dreams reflect the wisdom that enabled them to create many great inventions. To name a few, Koreans invented movable metal type, the most influential technology in human history; Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in the East; Cheugugi (1441), the world’s first rain gauge.

7. Movable Metal Type and Jikji 금속활자와 직지
Movable metal type is considered one of the greatest inventions in human history. It was invented in Goryeo during the 13th century. Jikji is the oldest extant book printed with movable metal type, which benefited from Goryeo’s advanced printing technology. Jikji was published in 1377, which is 78 years earlier than the printing of Gutenberg’s Bible.

8. Goryeo Celadon 고려청자
Goryeo was the second country to make celadon, one of the highest qualities of pottery. Celadon originated in China, but the quality of Goryeo celadon was so high that even Su Dongpo (1037-1101), a famous Chinese writer, referred to it as one of the ten masterpieces in the world. Particularly, its use of inlay techniques and exquisite jade green color was actually better than China’s celadon.

9. Cheomseongdae 첨성대
Cheomseongdae is the oldest observatory in the East that was built during the reign of Queen Seon Deok (?-647) of Silla(57 B.C.-935 A.D.) It is located in Gyeongju, the old capital of Silla. It was used to observe the stars and help farmers plan their farming activities. Its individual elements have astronomical meanings. For example, Cheomseongdae consists of 365 stone blocks, signifying the 365 days in a year.

10. Donguibogam 동의보감
Donguibogam is a medical book compiled in 1610 by a noted doctor Heo Jun (1539-1615) under a royal order. It is recognized as a comprehensive compilation of the Eastern medicine of the 17thcentury. It emphasizes preventive measures as much as treatments. Another notable feature of Donguibogam is that it provides many herbal remedies that are easily accessible to anyone.

11. Cheugugi 측우기
Cheugugi was the world’s first rain gauge that was invented in 1441 by Jang Youngsil, a man who moved up from the slave class. In the year after the invention, it was installed across the country, and used to measure the rainfall until the late Joseon period. The Korean government designated May 19 as Invention Day to commemorate the invention of Cheugugi.

12. Goryeo Daejanggyeong and Janggyeong Panjeon 고려대장경&장경판전
The Goryeo Daejanggyeong consists of Buddhist scriptures engraved on over 80,000 woodblocks. It was created in the 13th century in the hopes of fighting off the Mongolian army. It has been preserved at the Janggyeong Panjeon hall in Haeinsa Monastery. The Janggyeong Panjeon was designed to optimize humidity levels and ventilation. Thanks to such scientific design, the Daejanggyeong is preserved in such exceptional condition that it can still be used.

■Great Explorations
Koreans’ dreams reflect the passion that enabled them to explore new potentials and possibilities in the world. There were many Koreans who made great accomplishments through explorations: Jang Bo-Go(?-846), a general who dreamed of establishing a maritime empire covering East Asia; An Yong-bok, a fisherman who travelled to Japan as a civilian and protected the Korean territory of Dokdo; Hyecho(704-787), a Buddhist monk who took a long journey to expand his knowledge of the larger world.

13. Jang Bogo 장보고
In the 9th century, General Jang Bogo expelled pirates from the western and southern coasts of Korea, and took control of commercial trade with China and Japan. He was a truly international figure whose records are found in historical texts of all the three countries of Korea, China, and Japan. Although Jang Bogo was from a humble class, he had a great ambition to establish a maritime empire covering East Asia.

14. Isabu 이사부
Isabu was born into the royal family of Silla, and became a respected general and politician. In 512, he annexed Usan-guk (state), the present-day Ulleungdo and Dokdo, to Silla. There is a popular anecdote about this moment. Isabu made wooden lion sculptures and brought them to Usan-guk. In fear of being attacked by unfamiliar wild beasts, the Usan-guk people surrendered.

15. An Yong-bok 안용복
Dokdo is the easternmost territory of Korea, but it is the closest island to the minds of Koreans. In the 17th century, a fisherman An Yong-bok saw Japanese fishermen illegally fishing in the Korean territories of Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Although he was just an ordinary civilian, he travelled to Japan to confront the Japanese government. Japan accepted his argument, and banned Japanese fishing activities in those areas.

16. Hyecho 혜초
Hyecho (704-787) was a Buddhist monk of Silla. In search of Buddhist teachings, he travelled to India and wrote a travelogue titled “Wangocheonchukgukjeon” (Memoir of the Pilgrimage to the Five Regions of India). Ocheonchukguk refers to five regions that existed in Northern India, including the region where Buddha was born. Wangocheonchukgukjeon also shows that Hyecho was always homesick during his long journey.

17. Goguryeo’s Diplomatic Envoys 고구려 외교사절
A mural was discovered at Afrasiab Palace in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In the mural, there are two men wearing hats decorated with feathers, signifying that they were officials from Goguryeo(37 B.C.?668 A.D.). They were Goguryeo’s diplomatic envoys undertaking a long journey to Central Asia. It proves that Goguryeo actively engaged in diplomatic activities while competing over control of East Asia with Tang China in the mid-7th century.

18. Naro Space Rocket 나로호
On January 30, 2013, Korea launched its first space rocket, Naro, in Goheung. Goheung is a historic area that has lasted since Baekje(18 B.C.-660 A.D.). Naro successfully entered its target orbit, and helped Korea take a step closer to its dream of becoming an influential space power. Naro is expected to promote peaceful use and scientific exploration of outer space, and to contribute to Korea’s safety and further economic growth.

■Great Events
Koreans’ dreams created a history that achieved great changes in the country: organization of Uibyeong (militia) to protect the country during the Imjin War(1592-1598); the 1919 March 1st Movement to regain independence from Japan; the 1980 May 18th Democratic Uprising against the military dictatorship to obtain freedom and equality; The Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement) in the 1970s that enabled Korea to overcome its tragic past of Japanese occupation and the Korean War to achieve economic success.

19. Uibyeong during the Imjin War 임진왜란 의병
In the early stage of the Japanese invasion of Korea, known as the Imjin War, Joseon’s existence was threatened. As Joseon’s army continuously faced defeat, commoners across the country began to organize Uibyeong (militia) and fight against the Japanese army. Although Uibyeong had no official military training, extensive knowledge of their region worked as a great advantage. The activities of Uibyeong during the Imjin War became a model for later Uibyeong movements against Japanese imperialism.

20. March 1st Movement 3.1 운동
March 1st Movement was a nationwide uprising against Japanese oppression that began in 1919. It was the first large-scale independence movement that occurred in colonized regions after WWI. March 1st Movement greatly influenced various independence movements in Asia and the Middle East, such as the May Fourth Movement in China, Gandhi’s non-violent protests in India, independence movements to end British rule in Egypt, and the nationalist movement in Turkey.

21. Donghak Peasants Revolution 동학농민운동
Donghak was a religion founded in Joseon in the late 19th century. Its founding philosophy was that “God is in humanity,” which emphasizes the idea of human equality. This belief led to the Donghak Peasants Revolution (1894), a revolution demanding the abolition of the discriminatory status system. Donghak Peasants Revolution introduced Koreans to the ideas of anti-invasion and anti-feudalism. During the revolution, believers adopted the equal title of “Dongmu” (equivalent to comrade), over 20 years earlier than the Russian Revolution (1917).

22. 1988 Seoul Olympic Games 88서울올림픽
About 40 years after the Korean War (1950-1953), the Korean capital of Seoul hosted its biggest international event, the Olympic Games. No one expected it to be possible. The 1988 Seoul Olympic Games had the highest number of participating countries despite the tension of the Cold War era, and provided a place for promoting global peace and harmony.

23. May 18th Democratic Uprising 5.18 민주화운동
May 18th Democratic Uprising was a democratization movement against the military regime that took place in Gwangju, Jeollanamdo, on May 18, 1980. It caused many casualties, but it contributed to the emergence of various social movements in Korea. May 18th Democratic Uprising also greatly influenced pro-democracy movements in many other Asian countries.

24. Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement) 새마을운동
Saemaul Undong was a nationwide community development movement that started in 1970. It laid the foundation for Korea’s successful transformation from one of the poorest countries to one of the world’s top 10 economic superpowers. As shown through Saemaul Undong, Korea’s economic development experience is considered an invaluable resource in helping reduce global poverty and develop agricultural areas.

■Great Paths
Today, young Koreans’ dreams are spreading to the world through a network of seven million overseas Koreans and the viral power of the Korean Wave, Hallyu.

25. Silla Silk Road 신라 실크로드
Many relics were found in 5th and 6th century Silla tombs that indicate Silla’s exchange with regions in Central Asia, Western Asia, and India. Through the Silk Road, many trading goods like glassware were transported from Western Asia to Silla at the eastern end of the continent. It reflects Silla’s active role in the ancient international trade network.

26. Goryeo’s Ocean Trade Route 고려 해상교역로
Goryeo’s Byeokrando was an international trade port in the 11th century. It was the center of international trade where merchants from China, Japan, India, and Arabia met and traded expensive goods. The name of Korea (then, Corea) spread through this ocean route that connected all these countries.

27. Joseon Tongsinsa and their Path 조선통신사의 길
Joseon Tongsinsa were diplomatic delegations dispatched by Joseon to Japan in response to Japan’s request. From 1607 to 1811, a total of 300-500 members of delegations were sent to Japan over 12 visits. They exchanged knowledge in politics, economy, society, and culture with Japanese counterparts while staying in Japan for 5-10 months.

28. Special Envoys to The Hague and their Path 헤이그특사의 길
In 1907, King Gojong(1852-1919) sent three special envoys to the Second Hague Peace Conference in the Netherlands. Their goal was to reveal the coercive nature and illegitimacy of the Eulsa Protectorate Treaty (1905), a treaty that deprived Korea of its diplomatic rights, and to ask for help from the international community. Unfortunately, their mission ended in failure due to Japan’s sabotage. However, their courageous journey still inspires today’s young Koreans.

29. Path toward Independence 대한독립의 길
After the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876, Japan accelerated its efforts to take control of Korea, and Koreans started anti-Japanese movements and Uibyeong (militia) activities. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan. Despite being brutally oppressed, Koreans fought tenaciously for their independence until the moment of independence on August 15, 1945.

30. Hallyu 한류
Hallyu or the Korean Wave refers to the increasing popularity of Korean culture around the world. Hallyu has increased the consumption of Korean pop culture like dramas, music, and movies. It is also contributing to the popularity of other Korean products, such as Kimchi, Korean pepper paste, Ramen, and home appliances. Through Hallyu, Koreans’ dreams for international exchange are spreading throughout the world.

31. Overseas Koreans Network 재외동포 네트워크
Over 7.26 million overseas Koreans live in 175 countries around the world. Korea’s percentage of overseas nationals to the domestic population is among the highest in the world. The vast network of overseas Koreans can function as a bridge between Korea and the world. They are the greatest partners in reaching Korea’s great dreams for the country.