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Trends in the Study of Modern Korean History, 1945-2000

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Trends in the Study of Modern Korean History, 1945-2000 International Journal of Korean History (Vol.5, Dec. 2003) 1 Trends in the Study of Modern Korean History, 1945∼2000 Min Hyonku* Introduction The study of Korean history has made significant developments over the last fifty years in Korea, receiving more attention than other academic fields. This may be a natural phenomenon in that it directly concerns the study of her own nation and people. At the same time, it has experienced several upheavals during this period, and many more issues wait to be resolved in the future. Summarizing all the trends and achievements in the field of Korean history over the last fifty years is no simple matter. 1 It certainly has experienced the same kinds of turmoil that Korea went through. Despite this, there has been significant works done in various fields related to Korean history, and in every decade. A detailed analysis of the results of such works will make it clear that a general reorganization of modern Korean history should be undertaken. This paper will analyze the characteristics of the development of the * Professor, Dept. of Korean History, Korea University 2 Trends in the Study of Modern Korean History, 1945~2000 study of Korean history since 1945. This paper will first divide the last fifty years into three distinct periods in order to facilitate the analysis of the work that has been done in the field of Korean history during that period. With regards to the first two periods, that is, from 1945 to 1979, this paper focuses on the work that was done establishing the basic structure of the study of Korean history. As for the third period, from 1980 onwards, this paper examines the direction of the study of Korean history, and the changes and conflicts that emerged among scholars regarding the interpretation of history. This paper will also search for new methodologies with which to pursue the study of Korean history in the future. Although it employs a basic approach, this paper hopes to further the general understanding of the development of the study of Korean history. Just as our future depends greatly on our past and present, an analysis of the achievements in the field of Korean history, past and present, as well as discussions on new methodologies, will serve to bolster the future of this field. Developments in the Field of Korean History amid Social Upheavals Since 1945, the field of Korean history has developed amid the political and social upheavals that marked each period. Undoubtedly, the complicated nature of Korean history over the last half century has influenced the focus, direction and ultimately the development of the study of modern Korean history, which led to the current state of the study of modern Korean history. Min Hyonku 3 As mentioned earlier, the development of the study of Korean history since 1945 can be separated into three distinct periods. The first is the period that began immediately after liberation from Japanese colonial rule to the April 1960 Revolution. This period marks the birth of the study of modern Korean history amid significant social and political changes and upheavals. The second period began with the April 1960 Revolution and ended with the collapse of the Yushin System in 1979. This second period, although operating under limitations, saw a nationalist environment take root in the field of modern Korean history. As the study of modern Korea history grew dramatically during this period, we can also refer to it as a developmental period. We are currently in the third period, which began with the ascension of the military government of Chun Doohwan. However, this paper will consider the year 2000, which saw the North-South Summit that created a new amicable atmosphere on the peninsula, as the cutoff point for this third period. This third period was marked by great changes in the international sphere and by the emergence of new theories within Korea, such as Minjung and Minjunglon. Thus, we can identify this third period as one marked by the search for a new level of development amid chaos, change and conflict.2 In August 1945, Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule, which began a new era in Korean history. However, the Korean peninsula was divided into North and South as a result of the new Cold War order. Further complicating the matter, Korean War broke out and the hostility deepened as the division became official at the end of the war. Subsequently, Korea experienced several trials and tribulations during this period. South Korea was soon established as an independent nation-state based on liberal 4 Trends in the Study of Modern Korean History, 1945~2000 democracy. This period is thus significant in that it marks the beginnings of the study of modern Korean history from the end of the Taehan Empire. The study of Korean history was liberated together with the nation from the previous quasi-comatose state it had been forced into by Japanese colonization. The field also became more active following the liberation.3 During the early stage three main streams evolved in history: nationalist approach, socio-economic approach and positivist approach. As these three approaches conflicted with the colonialist approach promoted by the Japanese, they were driven underground as a part of Japan’s policy to erase Korean history. With the liberation, interest in Korea’s history and language, which constitute the national identity, increased, leading to the recreation of the field of Korean history. Korean scholars began once again to conduct research under the guise of educational and research organizations, and their research results were published into books. A great number of scholars focused on training history teachers. The three approaches were revived and a new nationalist approach that would incorporate all three was sought for. Due to the conflicts between leftists and rightists, the division of the peninsula and of the Korean War, the main trends in the study of Korean history underwent serious changes. Currently, in South Korea, there are only those with a positivist view towards the study of history. Because of the Cold War system, many scholars either voluntarily left South Korea and headed North or were taken against their will. As such, the hostile relationship between North and South Korea made it impossible for historical views to develop freely. However, these positivist scholars, who received modern education and developed a purely research oriented approach to the study of history, were able to maintain their positions within Min Hyonku 5 South Korean academia after liberation. Although the study of Korean history during this first period on the surface appears to have taken a step backwards due to all the social and political turmoil of the time, it is nonetheless a crucial period in that it is the beginning of the study of modern Korean history. History departments were established in new universities across the country, thus setting the necessary foundation for the pursuit of research and the education of future scholars. A few history-related associations were also set up during this early period; the Chin-tan Hakhoe, which was reestablished in 1945 and the Korean Historical Association, which was founded in 1952. A significant volume of journals was also published during this period, which brought about a new awareness of the subject amongst foreign academia. Although this period was faced with its share of difficult conditions, a lot of research was done, and many books on history-related topics designed for the general public were published. The Chin-tan Hakhoe first published Korean History (7 Volumes) in 1959. This series summarized the research on Korean history that was conducted after the liberation from the Japanese. 4 As such, although the study of Korean history began under less than auspicious circumstances, a foundation built on the belief of a democratic and positivist approach to history was established during this period. The April 1960 Revolution was a significant event that left a footprint on contemporary Korean history: students and civic movements had overthrown the Rhee Syngman regime. This was a major victory for Korean democracy. However, the military coup of May 16, 1961 changed the political situation overnight. With the establishment of the Yushin system in 1972, the military dictatorship of Park Chunghee continued unabated for 6 Trends in the Study of Modern Korean History, 1945~2000 almost twenty years that followed. During the Park regime, Korea achieved rapid economic growth while pursuing modernization and export-oriented industrialization. As a result, Korea became recognized as a newly industrialized country and to receive increased attention from the international community. Also, it was during this period that nationalism emerged as the strongest driving force of the state. The April 1960 Revolution and the military coup of 1961 shared the common thread of nationalism, a force which, while restraining political and social development, made Korea’s rapid economic development possible. With such rapid economic development, Koreans became more confident with their Korean identity, which in turn, strengthened Korean nationalism. Interest in Korean history then expanded tremendously and several excavations of historical sites were undertaken. It was under this atmosphere that the study of Korean history was able to blossom and achieve remarkable results. First amongst these achievements was undoubtedly the emergence of an anti-colonial approach to the study of Korean history.5 Japan began to exercise its control over Korea at the end of the 19th century, and Korea eventually fell under Japan’s direct colonial rule. The historical research conducted by the Japanese in Korea at the time was designed to justify their invasion and their rule over Korea. In this context, the above-mentioned anti-colonial approach to the study of history was designed to bring to light the distortions that emerged as a result of the adoption of a heteronymous view of Korean history.
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