Posted on 08/18/2004 7:31:47 PM PDT by blam
Seoul protests at Chinese claim to ancient kingdom
By Richard Spencer in Ji'an
(Filed: 19/08/2004)
South Korea is furious at claims by Beijing that an ancient kingdom regarded as its founding civilisation was a mere province of China.
The region of Koguryo formed most of modern North Korea and a part of what is now China where many ethnic Koreans still live. It merged with the southern kingdom of Silla to form Goryo, from which the name Korea is derived.
But last winter Chinese government historians published research purporting to prove that it was a Chinese civilisation, sparking fears about China's growing political ambitions.
Many South Koreans are concerned that, should the dictatorship of Kim Jong-il collapse in the communist North, where thousands of people face dire food shortages, China would intervene to protect its own interests there.
It is said that Beijing fears that a crisis in North Korea could cause a flood of refugees and, through reunification with the South, bring an American ally right up to its border.
"This is not a purely historical issue," said Prof Kim Woo-jun, of the Korean Institute of East-West Affairs. "If Koguryo is incorrectly interpreted by China as China's old kingdom, the North Korean region becomes China's historical territory. And this can serve as justification for future Chinese intervention."
Unconfirmed reports from residents near the China-North Korea border say People's Liberation Army troops have held training exercises recently.
The academics started the row by promoting proposals that the historical sites in Koguryo be listed as Unesco World Heritage sites.
To Seoul's consternation, the announcement was feted in the Chinese state media as a national triumph.
No mention was made of the kingdom's links to modern Korea. The Korean history section of the Chinese foreign ministry website was altered to remove references to Koguryo.
A group of South Korean MPs who wanted to visit Ji'an were refused visas.
The South Korean government has protested formally, even sending a special envoy to Beijing.
Peter Gries, an American academic China-watcher, said the row might really be about China's own troubled search for identity.
"Many Chinese nationalists wish that neighbours would acknowledge China's big brother status," he said.
Want to link some of our recent Koguryo GGG articles?
Hmm... I wonder how Chia Pet Jong-il feels about this claim?
The ancient kingdom resisted most attempts of subjugation. Whatever we think of North Korea, they have a long history of independence. The premier is not pleased with this new attitude.
Chinese arrogance and greed is sooooo entrenched, long standing and integrated into the fabric of society and Chinese psychology . . .
it's virtually impossible
for them
NOT
to think this way.
Sadly.
Very sadly. For millions of future victims.
Sure, if I can find 'em. ;') If you've got the links, go ahead. Seems as if I'd seen a similar thread to this one.
Nothing a full-up U.S. base on Taiwan, with ICBMs and tactical nukes, can't solve.
I can't imagine that China would let us return to such a state on Taiwan now.
They'd start flinging their own ICBM's well before we could land much there, imho.
But I sure hated when we pulled out of there. We had nukes on Quemoy and Matsu--virtually rock throwing distance.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --China Publishes Research Results On Korguryo Kingdom Ruins
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
Posted on 07/02/2004 8:21:13 AM PDT by blam
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