In the ancient past, Koreans had a deep fondness for the
country's picturesque landscape of mountains and rivers. In addition to this
attachment to the land, they developed a love for their fellow tribal members
who shared the same territory and long history.
Indeed, one of the most outstanding aspects of the Korean character is the deeply
rooted sense of homogeneity. From ancient times, Koreans have proudly referred
to themselves as a distinct people, a concept which implies several specific
ideas. First, Koreans think of themselves as a consanguineous community of descendants
from a single common ancestor. Second, they see themselves as a linguistic community
united by a single language. Third, they consider themselves to be a community
embodying a unique culture. Fourth, they are united geographically as a group
that has lived on the Korean Peninsula since ancient times. Fifth, they are
united by the common experiences of a community which has survived millenniums
of invasions and external pressure. Koreans have maintained this multifaceted
identity as a people throughout their extensive history. As a result, they have
never felt the need to distinguish between people and nation. This notion of
people and nation as an inseparable unity does not exist in neighboring nations
such as China and Japan, and of course is rarely seen in the West. To this extent,
Korean's traditional character is truly unique.
From ancient to modern times, the Korean people have been subject to countless
invasions from the mighty peoples and nations that have surrounded them.
In the areas adjacent to Korea, there have been many powerful nations that have
risen to power within similar conditions, only to fade into history. Unlike
these nations, Koreans have somehow managed to maintain a unique culture and
identity, and this identity as a distinct people has served as a protective
force against invaders throughout Korea's tumultuous history.
As a people at the eastern end of the Eurasian continent, Koreans have, since
ancient times, formed their culture through active contacts and positive adaptations
of the diverse cultures of the continent. For example, Korea's exuberant bronze
culture was introduced not only from nearby China, but also from far away Scythia.
In this way, Korea was exposed to cultural elements from the migration of peoples
on the Eurasian continent and the consequent exchanges between East and West.
Hence from the remote past, the Korean people attempted to harmonize and combine
two conflicting perspectives: the exclusive ideal of a unique people and
openness toward the world's diverse cultures.
The Korean mind thus embraces certain ambivalence. On the one hand, it is
affected by the sense of exclusiveness inherent in the concept of a unique people.
On the other hand, it is characterized by a positive and open attitude towards
new cultural elements. This complex attitude stems from Korea's long historic
experience and was already clearly evident during the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo,
Baekje and Silla). As each of these three monarchies was established, they adopted
Chinese writing in order to administer their respective domains. In spite of
this positive introduction of Chinese culture, each kingdom was politically
independent of China. At times, the kingdoms even cooperated in order to drive
Chinese forces away from the Korean Peninsula. This ambivalent attitude towards
outside cultures remained during the Goryeo and Joseon periods, and is commonly
seen in modern-day Korean culture as well.
Hence from ancient times, exclusiveness and inclusiveness as well as conservatism
and liberality have coexisted and it is this unique ability to negotiate these
contradictory extremes that has defined the Korean character. Within the Korean
mind-set, these seemingly contrary elements are considered to be complementary,
and their harmonization is thus looked at as life's ideal. It is within this
context that Korea's classical thinkers have put forth their philosophy, and
Korea's religious thinkers have carried out their faith. |