A History of Korea Read Free Page B

their motherland as well as their own culture from the continent, Koreans have traditionally emphasized the importance of unity rather than diversity, to the point of sometimes antagonizing others. That explains, in part, why Koreans are rather poor at mingling with outsiders and are angry when insolvent Korean enterprises are taken over by foreign capital.
    Besides being ultra-nationalistic and excessively patriotic, the Korean people are said to be quick-tempered, even impulsive. Instead of calculating possible outcomes calmly and rationally, Koreans are prone to emotional actions, reactions, and interactions. Occasionally they go to extremes, but consider such actions as demonstrations of “manliness.” The average Korean is often aroused to a state of sustained passion if the issue is an emotional one. The Korean idea of
uri nara,
or our country, exemplifies Koreans’ strong patriotism and nationalism, which may be demonstrated in such varied circumstances as a soccer game against Japan or during an anti-American flare-up.

A HISTORY OF KOREA

1
DAWN OF THE KOREAN NATION
THE PREHISTORIC AGE
The Paleolithic Age
    As a nation, Korea has a long history. The archeological finds suggest that, at some point in the misty past, tiny bands of tribesmen inhabiting the lands along the Altai Mountains of Central Asia began making their way eastward in the eternal quest for the “land of life” (the East), moving into Manchuria and the Korean peninsula. The habitation of early men in the Korean peninsula started as early as 700,000 years ago. Some North Koreans claim that the peninsula may have been inhabited for a million years. Until now Paleolithic remains, dating about 700,000 to 8,000 years ago, have been excavated in various parts of the Korean peninsula, from the Tumen River basin to the north to Cheju-do Island to the south. The most important Paleolithic sites, amounting to more than a hundred, are mostly found at the sides of big rivers.
    The best-known sites of the Early Paleolithic Age, which ended approximately 100,000 years ago, include those at Sangw ŏ n county (K ŏ m ŭ nmoru cave and Yonggok-ni) in the Taedong River basin, at Y ŏ nch’ ŏ n county (Ch ŏ n’gok-ni) in the Hant’an River basin, at Chech’ ŏ n city (Ch ŏ mmal cave of P’oj ŏ n-ni) and Tanyang city (K ŭ mgul cave) in the South Han River basin, and at P’aju county (Chuw ŏ l-ri and Kaw ŏ l-ri) in the Imjin River basin. The sites of the MiddlePaleolithic Age, dating about 100,000 to 40,000 years ago, include those at Unggi county (Kulp’o-ri) in the Tumen River basin, at Sangw ŏ n county (Yonggok-ni) and the Y ŏ kp’o area of Pyongyang in the Taedong River basin, at T ŏ kch’ ŏ n county (S ŭ ngni-san) in the Ch’ ŏ ngch’ ŏ n River basin, at Yanggu county (Sangmury ŏ ng-ni) in the North Han River basin, at Y ŏ nch’ ŏ n county (Namgye-ri), Yangp’y ŏ ng county (Py ŏ ngsan-ni), Chech’ ŏ n city (My ŏ ngo-ri), and Tanyang city (Suyanggae cave) in the South Han River basin, and on Chejudo (Pile-mot pond). The sites of the Late Paleolithic Age, dating about 40,000 to 8,000 years ago, include those at Unggi county (Kulp’o-ri [the upper layer] and Pup’o-ri), Pyongyang (Mandal-ri) in the Taedong River basin, Kongju city (S ŏ kchang-ni) and Ch’ ŏ ngw ŏ n county (Turubong cave) in the K ŭ m River basin, Hwasun county (Taej ŏ n-ni), Koks ŏ ng county (Chew ŏ l-ri), and Sunch’ ŏ n city (Chungnae-ri) in the S ŏ mjin River basin. Given the wide distribution of these sites, it is presumed that Paleolithic men lived in virtually every part of the Korean peninsula.
    At the remains mentioned above, Paleolithic stone tools such as choppers, scrappers, hand axes, and cleavers have been unearthed. Choppers and scrappers were mainly used to take animal meat off the bones. Hand axes and cleavers were later produced for many purposes. At Sangw ŏ n county and Yonggokni, fossilized human bones were uncovered. Although North