From: yeonwook@hardy.u.washington.edu (Mark Choi)
Subject: Re: Korean diplomacy
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 01:32:31 GMT

Goetz, I've decided not to double quote anymore because our thread 
has gotten to enormous sizes, and plus, it's difficult to remember
critical points when you get this detailed.

But to make my points clear, I'll respond to your critical assumptions.
I think we had difficult defining the true definition of "peripheral
nation". I agree that Korea is geographically and population wise a 
peripheral nation to China, however, that is not to say the historical
role between Korean and Han Chinese dynasties was that having the
Chinese dynasties taking attitude of Korea: "the land over to the east,
over the water, filled with people who resemble second class Chinese
people". Quite the contrary, the relationship between Han Chinese 
dynasties (not Yuan and Qing) and Korean dynasties was that of admiration
and mutual respect, not of conqueror over slave. However, Korean
dynasties were recognized as legitimate dynasties under the "son of
heaven", _not_ as mere "tributaries" or "part of the Chinese empire".
Diplomatic and cultural missions were exchanged between both nations.
People today should stop thinking of Korea as just part of the Chinese
empire under the direct juristidcation of the Chiense government, for
it is not true at all. We Koreans are evidently proud of our history,
this does not mean we are out to establish power, it just means that 
Koreans wished that people considered Korea and Koreans like the Han
Chinese did. A nation of friends and historical importance as an 
independent nation, not another province of China.

Therefore, the statement, "Korea returning to the historical position of 
peripheral nation of China", is irrelevent, since Korea's history is not
one of being a tributary to Han China.

The South Korean government decided on establishing diplomatic
relations not because of historical reasons, but because of our
changing planet. I fully support the ROK's decision. 

Korean investment in the PRC is booming, and cross border trade 
is also booming. This is funded by Korean money, not loaned money.
The nation of Korea is not on loan. Although the ROK has an external
deficit of around $39 billion dollars, that does not mean Korean 
investors are on loan. The $39 billion dollars are being paid off 
on schedule. Most of this debt comes from the Korean War.
Taiwanese investors will most likely be blocked out of the PRC's 
booming consumer market because of diplomatic reasons. Yes, no one 
can forget about Taiwan's enormous foreign reserves, but what good 
are such reserves if you cannot utilize such funds to have an active 
international impact?

The prospects of high level diplomatic talks between the two governments
of North Korea and South Korea is grander than ever now that the ROK has 
made peace with the PRC. Some may argue with this point, but what remains
is that more people agree with this point then otherwise.

Talking about a "shrimp between two whales", that is only militarily.
I believe this statement first came to light during the Hideyoshi 
invasions by a Korean scholar. However, that is not to say Korea lacked
in military tradition, again, quite the contrary. I can go on and on
talking about Korean military tradition, but I won't. I will directly
address the statement. A "shrimp between two whales" correctly 
represented the role Korea had in East Asia during that time.
You must not forget that Japan became increasingly militaristic when 
the shogunate was established and the emperor was just a figurehead.
However, if you were talking in cultural or technological terms, Japan
would've been the "shrimp trying to swim with the two whales", up to the
16th-17th century. You cannot deny this. Notice how I say _two_ whales,
not one. There is a historical distinction between the cultures of Han
China and Korea. Again, both grew to mutually admire and respect eachother.

The brilliant period of Korean history that I am talking about were the
Korean dynasties when _Han_ Chinese dynasties ruled China. To be more
accurate... Koguryo, Paekche, Silla...Unified Silla...Koryo....and the
early part of Yi, since the latter half of the Yi Dynasty was thrown in
political turmoil due to the overthrow of Ming and the establishment 
of the Qing by the "barbarian" Manchus.

I do, however, agree that Korea was subjected to a state of political
"tributary status" when the Manchus took over, this was due to the harsh
military agenda of the Manchus, in disregard of Han China's and Korea's
cultural and technological superiority. But up to the Qing Dynasty, when
China was mainly ruled by _Han_ Chinese dynasties, again, the relationship
was of mutual respect and admiration. To quote from a person from s.c.c, 
the relationship between Han Chinese dynasties and their corresponding
Korean dynasties was nothing short of brilliant, but "barbarian" nomads
were jealous of the riches produced by such a relationship.








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  --|--|      | Mark Yeon Wook Choi             |
   /.\ |      | yeonwook@hardy.u.washington.edu |
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