In the days we Christians call "bewteen the testaments", around 193 BC, the central section of the Korean peninsula is invaded by Chinese led by one Winan. This invasion effectively ends the Kija dynasty (see Part 1), and the last emperor of Kija, named Kijun, heads south.
But nothing seems to be permanent in Chosun. In 107 BC an edict goes forth from China's Emperor. All Chinese need to come home. This Korean kingdom must fall altogether. One year later, Winan's dynasty ends, and the kingdom is divided by the Chinese into 4 provinces. The territory covered would stretch today from Seoul in the south, the Han River, to the norteastern provinces of North Korea.
But we said that Kijun looked southward for his own destiny, which he found among the tribal peoples living there. The people of the far southern section of the land have been considered "different" from the northerners, previewing the division that lingers still.
From Chinhan, Mahan, and Pyonhan Kijun is slowly able to build a new kingdom. Historians say that these people acted a lot like our native American tribes in terms of worship, dance , dress etc. Could it be that Koreans are in some way connected to the first Western tribes? So what would their origin have been? Some have conjectured Japan, or Malaysia, or even Polynesia. Southern Korea is after all situated on the waters.
Kijun goes the way of the earth, but his dynasty lasts about 200 years. His 7th descendant in 57 BC founds what will become the main power of the peninsula for some time, the Kingdom of Silla. They are for quite awhile a peaceful people, but eventually they take all. Their initial territory covers from the southern coast to the Han River (Seoul).
Only a few years later, 35 BC, Korguryo is formed. It stretches northward from the boundary of Silla past the present border of North Korea, the Yalu River. These are a people of spirit worship, much pride, aggressive behavior, and, according to Professor Hulbert, immorality. Korea watchers will remember that this is the nation immortalized by the long-running video series "Dae Jo-young".
Then in 16 BC comes Pakje, a small kingdom covering an area in the south next to Silla.
These are the three territories that will together form the dramatic rise to power and interaction on the Korean peninsula. But one other player in the drama cannot be forgotten. Some of Japan's erring citizens band together and become the "Vikings" of the day, often raiding Silla and later civilizations.
When Jesus walked this earth, the scene was something like this in Korea: China is forever fearful of the growth of Korguryo. Silla seems to be under her control, but Korguryo is regularly threatening the status quo. Strife begins. These two powers will struggle for eight centuries. Silla will see China take power from Korguryo and Pakje before it is over.
Someone has observed that in South Korea today, many of the names used are the same as were used in Silla: Yi, Choe, Son, Chung, Pak, Kim, Suk, Yang, So, Im, Hyun. And in the north names like Cho & Han are more prominent. It all makes us wonder how real this present division might be.
Of course, backward looks for the Christian are not as important as praying for God to take a people out of this land for Himself today, the people He saw from before the foundation of the world. And He of course will do that.
But to look back at the many tragedies that have befallen this people and to commiserate with the modern day descendants is, I think, also a useful activity. Already we have seen reversals and upsets and violence and broken lives. But the Koreans will persist to be. By God's grace, and as they keep receiving their true "hero", Jesus Christ, Koreans will continue to fill the earth with good things.
Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com
And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.
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