,
46 tweets,
24 min read
Read on Twitter
Thread with excerpts from Jinwung Kim’s “A History of Korea” 
North Korea is very wealthy in minerals and coal. Probably accounts for how they’ve able to survive despite isolation.
Comparative mythology indicates that Koreans descend from a Bronze Age tribe that seized the women of a neolithic tribe, and that they became an agricultural theocracy
The Koreans in ancient times mostly lived in southern Manchuria, the center of their old chiefdoms
After China reunited in the late 6th century, the Turks and Koreans allied and invaded China
The Koreans and Turks won their war, but the next dynasty (Tang) was able to play divide and conquer with the other Korean kingdoms. Eventually, China wore the Koreans down and finally defeated them 70 years after the first war.
Koreans had Buddhist knight-errants called “hwarang”. Interesting how similar they are in structure and ethos to later knights and samurai. Perhaps a product of weak states?
Korean kingdom of Parhae seized the opportunity of China’s distraction during the An Lushan Rebellion and conquered Manchuria, Priamorsk & Liaodong. They ruled a diverse array of peoples, including most of the Tungusic tribes.
diversity was not Parhae’s strength, and they were easily defeated by a Mongol tribe
As the kingdom of Silla decayed, warlords seized parts of Korea. One was a peasant who raped the king’s wife and installed a puppet. Another was an insane monk who claimed to be the reincarnation of Buddha and constantly renamed his kingdom.
Female entertainers in 10th century Korea were generally foreign in origin, and were socially ranked no different than slaves
Powerful Manchu state as early as the 12th century
Medieval Buddhism in Korea had a lot of parallels to contemporary Christianity in Europe: tax exemptions, land allocations, industrial development, and holy warriors. Some temples even became involved in banking.
Koreans were forced by Mongols to equip and provision the enormous fleets & armies that invaded Japan. Failing, the Mongols demanded beautiful women and falcons as tribute, impoverishing the country.
Japanese pirates devasted the Korean coastline for over 150 years. Korean use of gunpowder weaponry (learned from Mongol renegades) finally ended the menace.
Defeated political factions in 16th century Korea were able to regroup in well funded academies from from where they educated/recuited more followers. The academics who graduated later took power, and made passing their exams a requirement for advancement.
If that sounds familiar, you are right. There is nothing new under the sun. Everything issue we face today has been faced before, though in different forms.
The Japanese were utterly merciless in their invasion of Korea. This inspired popular resistance
Effects of the Japanese invasions: Korea depopulated & devastated, Japanese gov replaced, Ming weakened, and Manchus (who didn’t fight) expanded
Koreans had their own Renaissance and Enlightenment in 17th and 18th centuries
Notice the similarities to Jefferson’s thought, despite no communication between the two.
Thinkers at the end of 18th century advocated for the end of noble privileges, the importance of science over the humanities, a stable currency, and promotion of commerce and industry.
The broader scope of study led to nationalism and irredentism
This all makes a compelling case that ideology is driven by technological factors and material conditions. Why else would the same ideas generate in opposite sides of the world that knew little of another?
Deep roots of isolationism in Korea
Catholicism in Korea was spread by disaffected intellectuals. Successive governments alternated between tolerance and persecution. One Catholic tried to have the French intervene and enforce religious tolerance @Rjrasva
After a brief interlude of Independence from the Chinese tributary system, Korea rapidly lost its sovereignty to Japan and China in the 1880s
Some Koreans looked to Russia for help against China and Japan. The British, worried about expansion of Russian influence, intervened.
Russo-Japanese War brought Korea firmly under Japanese rule
Koreans resisted the Japanese takeover for several years
Japanese Korea was one of the most repressive regimes on Earth. Even Japanese schoolteachers wore swords to intimidate Koreans.
Japanese destroyed a large number of works in an effort to obliterate Korean national consciousness. They the proceeded to rewrite history in a way to favor Japan.
They were quite effective. Had Japan won the war, the author believes Koreans would have assimilated into the Japanese people, just as the Japanese government desired.
Kim Il-Sung was a true survivor, a hardened guerilla fighter, and a charismatic & effective leader.
South Korea initially provoked the border skirmishes that led to the Korean War
The Park government in the 60s heavily regulated the financial sector, and pushed South Korea to be self sufficient in heavy industry. The economy did extremely well as a result of this, and a cheap & clever workforce.
South Korea rented its army to USA for use as mercenaries in Vietnam War.
Industrialization in the 60s/70s led to urbanization, which in turn led to the breakdown of traditional social structure.
Brain drain from rural to urban areas, and the decay of rural virtue from the increased influence of city life
The author knowledge of American history is lacking: had Chun reunified Korea, he would have been identical to the unpopular dictator Lincoln. (I like Lincoln too fwiw).
State driven industrialization led to corrupt corporate oligopolies that squeezed medium and small businesses.
75% of S Korean men had military service, and all men between 17 and 50 had to attend monthly drills. Mens’ long hair and womens’ miniskirts were suppressed.
North Korea plotted to invade South Korea in 1975 in order to take advantage of America’s defeat in Vietnam. China and USSR refused to let them.
South Korea’s state industrial policy failed in the 97 crash, leading to IMF forcing neoliberal restructuring of economy. Middle class decreased, divorce rose, births declined, and foreigners poured in. Now 10% of marriages are interracial.
Korean leftists want to tear down the statue of Douglas MacArthur
@Horacethe1st @turbovlach @ChrisNahr @June_beetle @qin_duke @omarali50 @leviboone_ @HandOnHilt @thespandrell @Glossophiliac75 @Irkutyanin1 you all might find this thread and book interesting
