That glorious ancient history of our nation: The contested re -readings of 'Korea' in early Chinese historical records and their legacy on the formation of Korean -ness

This dissertation addresses the contested re-readings of "Korea" in early Chinese historical records and their influence on the formation of Korean-ness in later periods. The earliest written records on "Koreans" are found in Chinese documents produced in the context of the Chinese world-view during the Han dynasty (3rd century BCE-3rd century CE). Since then, these early Chinese records have been used as primary sources for writing early Korean history in Korea, China and Japan. Later, reinterpretations and utilizations of these early records became more diverse. In particular, numerous new interpretations have emerged since the late 19th century, when the reconstruction of ancient history became a crucial part of the formation of Korean national consciousness.;The nation or nation-state came to be commonly used as a primary unit of historical narratives, and modern historiography of Korea was further complicated by a thirty-six-year colonial experience (1910--1945) under Japan. The Japanese colonial scholars attempted to depict the nature of Korean history as stagnant, heteronymous, and replete with factional strife throughout its historical eras. On the other hand, Korean nationalist historians strove to construct an indigenous Korean nation and make it as old as possible. By doing so, they hoped to mobilize Koreans' national consciousness in order to recover the political sovereignty that Japan had controlled since 1910. Although nationalistic historiography is still prevalent among historians all over the world, some scholars began to challenge the nation as the unit of historical writing from the 1980s. This challenge was firmly based on the argument that there are many disadvantages to viewing history from the single perspective of the nation or the nation-state.;People live with the legacies of the past, which makes history and memory crucial in the political, cultural and social aspects of human society. China, Japan and Korea have shared a long history of cultural interactions. It should be noted that neither similarities and continuities among East Asian civilizations, nor distinctions and discontinuities, can be disregarded in reaching a balanced, comprehensive understanding of culture and history in East Asia.