Distinguishing Features of Korean History

Edward Shultz
Name in Latin Alphabet:	Edward Shultz
Nationality:	USA
Affiliation:	University of Hawai‘i

강연 소개

After living in Korea and teaching about Korea on US campuses for nearly forty years, there are certain aspects about Korea’s long history that emerge. This presentation will offer an overview of those distinguishing features. Needless to say there are many aspects of Korean history that are similar to the histories of other countries such as the rise and fall of kingdoms, the perfidy of certain rulers, and the magnanimous humanity of others. There are great moments and dark days in Korea’s long history and these are common to all national histories. But key to understanding Korea’s history is first its geographical location and its search to be the master of its own destiny. What distinguishes Korean history is its passion for history, its skilled pursuit of cultural borrowing, taking what it needs but rarely being over powered by the outside; its emphasis on lineage and locality; its pursuit of civil leadership and education and yet attention to the needs of the less fortunate; and of course its artistic creativity. What we see today in Korea is in many respects the tip of the iceberg with a tradition that has been built over several thousand years.

강연 영상

Distinguishing Features of Korean History