Minimum Korean History: 5,000 Years of History Understood in a Flash

Author Choi Tae-sung · Publisher Frontpage · Published 2023-06-21 · ISBN 9791198243430

About the Book

For those intimidated by historical narratives,
“Big Star Teacher” Choi Tae-sung’s essential Korean history: read once, use for a lifetime.

History, often relegated to the back burner during school, frequently emerges as an essential component of general knowledge and common sense in adulthood. This explains why corporations and public figures face controversy for historically inappropriate remarks, and why everyone has, at some point, awkward chuckled and stalled for time when history became a topic of conversation. However, despite good intentions, starting to study history is no easy feat. The sheer volume, the Kanji-based names of events, and the complex cause-and-effect relationships often make one hesitate to even begin.

Choi Tae-sung, who has taught history for a long time, says he has met many people who are interested in Korean history but don't know how to start. He realized there was a need for an introductory book on Korean history to help them, and as a result, he published "Minimum Korean History."

As the author states, "Based on my experience as a Korean history textbook author and lecturer, introducing Korean history nationwide, I have compiled the core essentials of Korean history – just enough to make you feel confident, no more, no less." This book covers the essential Korean history that Koreans should know, from the founding of Gojoseon to modern times, spanning the peninsula's five-thousand-year history. It will provide the foundational knowledge of Korean history—read once and used for a lifetime—for those who want to understand the overall context of our history at a glance, those who want to study history for general knowledge rather than for exams, and those who repeatedly give up on reading Korean history books.

"Even without prior knowledge, you'll be drawn in as if watching a drama!"
From the founding of Gojoseon to modern times,
The minimum knowledge required to understand our five-thousand-year history.

When writing this book, author Choi Tae-sung's primary focus was to create an introductory Korean history book that was easy and enjoyable to read. Therefore, he extracted only the most crucial content from Korean history and presented it as a continuous drama, ensuring that each fact naturally connected. Complicated historical facts, which often lead people to abandon history studies, are explained with accompanying images to facilitate immediate understanding.

Moreover, to help readers grasp the context of Korean history, the book describes events chronologically from ancient to modern times, focusing on kings for the pre-modern era from Gojoseon to Joseon, and on events for the modern and contemporary era from the opening of ports onward. By adopting the appropriate explanatory methods for each period to introduce figures and events, merely following the narrative allows for a clear organization of Korean history's flow, and previously memorized events and figures are understood with clarity.

Despite studying history throughout our school years and encountering it through various forms of content, history often feels like a series of complex and difficult concepts. It's time to break that prejudice. Instead of explaining countless figures and events that are easily forgotten the day after memorizing them, "Minimum Korean History" outlines the major currents of Korean history, offering a clear map to readers who often get lost in the vast ocean of history and inviting them into its fascinating world.

Boost confidence in conversations, deepen understanding of content,
A general education Korean history class that cultivates insight into the world.

It's no coincidence that history is considered the foremost general education essential in our rapidly developing modern society. Understanding the tumultuous journey our nation has undergone to become what it is today allows for an accurate comprehension of the present and transforms one's perspective on the world. In this sense, history is not a faded old tale but the most fundamental knowledge for understanding the world.

This book not only discusses historically significant figures and events but also stories closely related to our daily lives for the same reason. By introducing the legacies history has left in various aspects of our daily lives—such as how the names of Seoul's four main gates were decided, why someone who runs an errand and doesn't return is called a "Hamheung Chasah," or why Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day) is on October 3rd—it reveals the true essence of history as general knowledge and common sense. When one acquires living historical knowledge rather than just dead historical facts, they speak confidently in conversations, deeply understand historical content, and gain insight into the world. "Minimum Korean History," which captures both fun and meaning, will be the first step in that transformation.

Table of Contents

|Introduction| The First History Class to Fill Your General Knowledge and Common Sense

Chapter 1 Gojoseon and the Three Kingdoms Period
Gojoseon: The Beginning of Five Millennia of History
Goguryeo: A Military Power with Ironclad Cavalry Galloping Across Manchurian Plains
Baekje: A Cultural Power, Splendid but Not Ostentatious
Silla: A Diplomatic Power that Unified the Three Kingdoms with a Flexible Stance
Gaya: A Trading Power Known as the Iron Kingdom

Chapter 2 The North-South States Period
Balhae: A Prosperous State East of the Sea, Inheriting Goguryeo
Unified Silla: A Unified Korean Peninsula that Flourished with Brilliant Culture

Chapter 3 Goryeo Dynasty
Founding of Goryeo: Opening the Medieval Era of Korean History
Invasions of Khitan and Jurchen: Brilliant Diplomatic Strategies and the Fall of Aristocracy
The Military Rule Period and Mongol Invasions: A Turning Point in Goryeo History
The Yuan Intervention Period and King Gongmin's Reforms: Beyond Chaos to a New Era

Chapter 4 Joseon Dynasty
Founding of Joseon: Dreaming of a Neo-Confucian State Based on Seong리학
Early Joseon Golden Age: Establishment of Governing System and Cultural Development
Rise of Sarim: Spread of Confucian Spirit and Appearance of Local Scholars
Imjin War and Byeongja Horan: Turning Points in Joseon History
Political Changes in Late Joseon: From Factional Strife to Hwanguk
Yeongjo and Jeongjo's Reform Politics: The Renaissance of Late Joseon
Decline of Joseon: Sedo Politics and Impoverished Livelihoods

Chapter 5 Modern Era
Opening of Joseon: Demands for Opening by World Powers and Internal Chaos in Joseon
Japanese Imperialism and Resistance: The Crushed Dream of Establishing a Modern State
1910s Japanese Colonial Period: The March 1st Movement Ending Military Rule
1920s Japanese Colonial Period: Armed Struggle Against Divisive Policies
1930s Japanese Colonial Period: Activities of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Amidst Policies of National Annihilation

Chapter 6 Contemporary Era
Liberation and Division: Korea Divided into Two After Liberation
1950s Political History: Establishment of the First Republic under Syngman Rhee
1960s-1970s Political History: The 18-Year Park Chung-hee Government
1980s Political History: The Emergence of the New Military and the Fight for Democracy
1990s Political History: Development of Democracy

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