The question of the origin of the Korean people still remains open. There are many versions explaining the emergence of Koreans in our world. According to one of them, the Korean people first formed about 6,000 years ago and lived in the territory of modern Siberia. Then, as a result of migration, settlement occurred, which stopped on the Korean Peninsula. At that time, the Mak tribes lived there, with whom the Siberian tribes managed to establish relations.
Another version says that the ancestors of the Koreans are the current Altaians. Migration affected Manchuria, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The unification of the tribes was facilitated by the opposition to the Chinese Yihan.
According to DNA research, the Korean people first formed in the vicinity of Lake Baikal. Anthropologists classify them as East Asian representatives of the Mongoloid race. Interestingly, their numbers are large not only in South and North Korea, but also in the United States. There are now about the same number of Koreans living in Los Angeles as there are in Seoul.

Appearance

A distinct feature of Korean faces is square cheekbones, small noses, and eyes, on the contrary, seem quite large. South Koreans differ from North Koreans in their softer features. This is connected not only with ethnogenesis, because the standard of living in South Korea or the United States is incomparably higher. Plastic surgery is popular in South Korea; girls and boys often resort to the services of cosmetologists, so they look well-groomed and pretty.
Most Koreans are short and love stylish and sometimes quirky hairstyles. A characteristic feature of the entire nation is a predisposition to wearing unusual clothes. It’s not for nothing that Koreans are called the most stylish Asians on the planet - walking through the center of Seoul, you will feel like you’re at a fashion show.

Story

The history of the Land of Morning Freshness begins in the Joseon era. Scientists believe that the ancient ancestors of modern Koreans lived during the Paleolithic. The main activity of ancient Koreans was hunting and fishing.
The era of ancient Joseon began around the 4th century BC. Many Koreans believe that the country's history began in 2333 BC, which is associated with the mythical ruler Tangun, the founder of Joseon. This word literally means morning freshness, hence the popular poetic name of Korea.
Joseon remained an independent state until 109 BC. Afterwards it was conquered by the Chinese Emperor Wu Di, a representative of the Han Dynasty. However, the Chinese could not control the country, since the population rebelled throughout its territory.
In the first millennium, the development of three states began, which marked the beginning of the era of the three kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla). Goguryeo, a state that occupied large territories in the northern part of the peninsula, reached its greatest power. Its possessions extended to Manchuria. The state was forced to fight with the Chinese dynasties. Some battles ended successfully, which made it possible to annex new territories. The three Korean kingdoms themselves also regularly clashed with each other, although they were united by a common religion - Buddhism.
The Silla state begins its existence in the 6th century and quickly comes to an alliance with the Tang Empire. The power of Silla and Tang turned out to be too great for Goguryeo and the state of Baekje, so both of them lost, surrendering their possessions to the Chinese empire.
However, in the 7th century, an ongoing struggle for freedom began, with Silla supporting it. As a result, the dances declared war on their former allies. Later, a country called Bohai appeared in Silla territory.
In the 8th century this state reached its peak. Agriculture, various kinds of crafts, science and writing actively developed. In the 9th century, uprisings became more frequent, which led to the beginning of the Time of Troubles.
In 918, the military leader Wang Gon came to power. He came from a merchant family and initially had great ambitions for the future. Having become ruler, Wang Gon proclaimed a new state - Koryo. In European sources it was written as "Korea".
Wang Gon will become famous for his cunning and strategic thinking. He managed to enter into alliances with influential feudal lords, which contributed to the unification of lands and the expansion of the state. Under Van Gon, a system of administrative division developed. A noble class emerged, which included officials who governed peasants and owned slaves. Thanks to its developed defense and army, Goryeo was able to repel attacks from neighboring tribes, who created a country called Liao.
The war with its neighbors gradually depleted Goryeo, so it was necessary to establish diplomacy with the Liao. The situation was aggravated by regular Jurchen invasions from the north. The decline of Goryeo began in the 13th century, and as a result of the formation of the Mongol hordes, Goryeo began to weaken significantly. In 1259, the state was forced to sign a peace treaty with the Mongols, but the Koreans did not accept defeat and began to prepare for mass uprisings, which reached their peak in the 14th century, as a result of which the Mongols began to retreat.
The end of Goryeo came with the disappearance of the last monarch, who was killed by General Yi Seong-gye (1392). From this moment the reign of the Li dynasty began, which lasted more than 5 centuries.

Founder and 1st Wang of the Korean Joseon Dynasty - Lee Seong Kyo

The state regained its original name Joseon and its capital Seoul (then Hanyang). The ideology of the ruling elite was based on neo-Confucianism. The new Joseon flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries. Peace reigned in the country, there were no raids from foreigners, which contributed to the development of encouragement from the monarchs, contributed to the rise in the level of art, medicine, science and agriculture. Ruler Sen Jong Lee ordered the beginning of a chronicle and a description of the geographical location of Korea. During these years, a clear hierarchy system was formed in the country.
The next stage of Korean history was turbulent. Yongsan came to power, who did not allow the development of science and became known as a champion. The prince loved hunting, was likened to passions, and for the sake of his own interests was ready to destroy entire settlements. Thus, many houses were destroyed in the suburbs of Seoul to clear hunting grounds.
All this prompted peasant uprisings, the largest of which was the revolt of 1467. Even with constant suppression, people resisted and continued to fight their own state.
Historians consider the Japanese invasion to be the most difficult period for Korea. The capture of Busan and Seoul, further battles that weakened the army, led to the defeat of Korea and its capture by the Japanese. The Japanese invaders prohibited Koreans from speaking their native language, took away their land, and did not allow them to develop their economy.
In 1919, inspired by the Russian October Revolution liberation movements launched a wave of riots directed against the Japanese. In 1945, Japanese troops were defeated, which contributed to the liberation of the Korean people. However, in further influence Soviet Union led to the division of the country into North and South Korea. Now, a peace agreement has been reached between the countries, which officially ends the Cold War, which lasted almost a hundred years. Peace was officially concluded in 2018.

Character

In the post-war years, South Korea was in decline. Hard work and the emergence of economic freedoms helped it flourish. Entrepreneurs began to actively develop in the 90s of the last century, and now South Korea is one of the most developed countries in the world.
The entire Korean people are characterized by hard work and a passionate desire to work. Various US universities have conducted studies that have proven the ability to work tirelessly for 10 or even 12 hours every day.
Significant influence Confucianism influenced the character of Koreans. His spirit can be felt in almost every Korean enterprise, where management strives to build collectivization into a cult. For Koreans, work is a second home. Therefore, members of the management team are perceived by employees as parents: their authority is undeniable, they need to bow from the waist up, like older relatives, always be smiling and not show dissatisfaction. If an employee is called to work overtime, he must agree. In exchange the person receives social protection, benefits and insurance - this is very important, because South Korea does not have an established insurance system. Layoffs happen extremely rarely, which gives every person confidence in the future. He can be transferred to another position, to another company, but no one will fire him.
Promotion in Korean companies takes into account the merits of the employee. Experience, which is considered the main factor in promotion, must be taken into account. This fact clearly shows Confucian ethics, according to which the elder should receive benefits first, and the young should be inspired by a similar example.
Koreans often follow in their parents' footsteps. If they worked in medicine, then the son will become a doctor or medical engineer. The daughter will go to work in the company where the mother has worked for the past 10 years. This continuity is explained quite simply, because if the child’s parents felt good in one place, then the child will be comfortable.
It is not customary for Koreans to quarrel, since open conflicts are condemned in society. Even within a family, only older people can afford to swear.

The concept of statehood is important for every Korean. From bitter experience, the people know that a weak state promises famine, strife and civil strife, raids by warlike neighbors and decline. For a long time, private property was perceived as something incomprehensible, while state property, on the contrary, has long been held in high esteem.

Life

IN recent years Western influence has somewhat changed the approach to life. Building a business, spreading Catholic churches, popularizing networks fast food- all this clearly indicates significant changes in Korean society. However, government bodies still have the right to interfere in a person’s private life, although efforts are being made to abolish their powers and reform the very work of the state apparatus. Until recently, a person could receive a sentence of up to 2 years for treason. In the 70s, the police actively fought against miniskirts, catching girls and measuring the length of this item of clothing with a tape measure.
Recent decades for Koreans are characterized by a clear change in morals. If previously young people were obliged to ask their parents for approval in order to get married, now more and more often girls and boys leave this decision entirely to themselves. However, even now relatives tend to take the initiative, selecting the most suitable candidates for their children.
In Korean society, love marriages were very rare. Only in legends could one hear about lovers going against the whole world. In reality, marriage was needed to strengthen the influence of some families over others. And love should come after marriage.

Previously, Koreans chose their environment based on their ancestry. Man chose friends and partners based on their origin. In some cases, this approach has been preserved, although it is gradually fading away.
The divorce rate for Koreans is very low, because family is the highest good. Relatives are always ready to help children and grandchildren. The concept of clanism has been preserved for Koreans living in the Far East of the Russian Federation. One clan can number 200 people, and everyone must gather during the holiday, so women have to cook a lot. Each member of the clan (even the youngest) bears a great responsibility, but this person can always be sure that they will be helped in any difficult moment.
Every Korean honors his parents. Their character includes boundless love for their father and mother. The eldest son usually always lived with his parents, although now this rule is not always observed. Children help each relative if necessary. Therefore, the older generation is not too worried about old age, because even if problems arise in the state with pension provision, children will always help.

Men and women

The Korean man has always been perceived in society as a breadwinner. This attitude continues today. Careerism is rare among women.
Korean women of the older generation can adhere to fairly strict principles, but younger ones often ignore them. Interesting fact: most decisions in modern Korean families are made by the wife, but the father is the main one in raising children. Wives manage finances, distribute money for general expenses and private ones.

As a result, we can draw 3 main conclusions regarding the modern life of Koreans:

1. Traditional education, which professed Confucianism and Taoism, is gradually losing importance.
2. The influence of the West can be seen more and more, which affects behavior and taste preferences.
3. Conservatism, in the opinion of modern youth, seems archaic. Young people try to communicate with representatives of other cultures and peoples. Recently, interethnic marriages have become more common.

Culture

Much has been preserved in the traditions of the Korean people since the times of the Koryo state.

• The many types of dances associated with classes clearly illustrate the peculiarities of the life of Koreans. The dances were mainly performed by villagers or jesters at the king's court. Nowadays, in a number of choreographic schools, the art of dance is taught as a serious discipline. The most popular is the dance of the fluttering butterfly - pakchommu;
• Painting in Korea gained unprecedented popularity during the Joseon era. Drawings on silk, written with ink and vegetable paints, have survived to this day. Artists depicted nature and its inhabitants, and ordinary people- problems of everyday life;
• Special attention Koreans devote their time to gardens. The traditional version of the Korean garden was formed more than 2000 years ago. Its main elements are streams, ponds, rocks and waterfalls, trimmed trees and beautiful pagodas;
• The national costume of Korea is called hanbok. The main elements in it are a blouse, a skirt in the women's version, and paja in the men's version. The women's national costume has a pinkish tint and expands towards the floor, forming something like a dome. The men's one has a shorter look, from under it you can see the man's wide pants and shoes. Some Koreans wear hanbok every day. This everyday option is made from durable cotton.

Traditions

The Korean people have preserved many traditions. A wedding in Korea is a unique phenomenon. It differs from the European one - the event takes place in a ritual hall. Occasionally, the celebration may be moved to a restaurant or conference room. The bride and groom must wait in separate rooms for the ceremony to begin. Guests can take a photo as a souvenir. Wedding dresses represent suits and dresses familiar to Europeans; in some cases, traditional hanbok is used.

Wedding dances are performed to the music of Wagner. The father must accompany his daughter on the way to the altar, and the ceremony itself is performed by a close relative of the groom. A child's first birthday plays a significant role in Korean society. The holiday is called toljanchhi and preparations are made for important event early. On an important day, many guests come and gather in the yard and wait for the baby to appear. Each guest brings a gift and personally congratulates the parents. The child is dressed in a hanbok, and objects symbolizing good luck, prosperity, success, etc. are placed around. The baby himself must take the object he likes in his hand, which determines future fate.

Holidays

In Korea, Seollal is celebrated - an analogue of the European New Year. The day of celebration is celebrated according to the Lunar calendar. For three days, Koreans dress up in traditional clothes, visit relatives and walk along the seashore to watch the sunrise. In Seollal, it is customary to remember deceased ancestors, prepare special dishes and congratulate parents by bowing deeply.

The Chuseok holiday is considered significant, during which it is customary to honor ancestors and harvest the harvest. Harvest refers to products: they are used to prepare dishes that decorate the table. On Chuseok, Koreans gather with guests, remember their ancestors and bring gifts to the cemetery. On the holiday, it is customary to treat brownies and thank the spirits for the harvest. A special feature of the festival is mass kite flying.
On August 15, the country celebrates Liberation Day. Officials and public figures. Mass amnesties of prisoners are often held on August 15th.
The richness of the Korean people's culture is truly amazing. Dating back to ancient times, Korean culture has undergone significant changes in modern world. However, once you have visited Korea, you will understand that its people have not lost their cultural values ​​and continue to honor the memory of their ancestors.

There are many Chinese elements in modern, distinctive Korean culture. Since the time of the unified Silla State, the inhabitants of the Korean Peninsula have established close ties with civilization." heavenly"neighbor. Today's Koreans were once fused with Chinese culture. Their memory of a rich written Chinese culture still fresh today. And the memory of more distant antiquity seemed to have sunk into oblivion. The period of life of the Korean nation, dating back 5 thousand years of history, lasted longer in the endless steppes than under the influence of the Chinese cultural sphere.

In the context of the destruction of materials and falsification of history, as well as cultural genocide by Japanese imperialism against the Korean nation, the Cold War and the division of the peninsula into South and North, there were many restrictions and obstacles in the study of Korean culture. In particular, it was not possible to carry out studies and excavations at the proper level in the areas of the Altai cultural space, covering the northeast China, Manchuria and Mongolia necessary to identify the origin of the ancient Korean people and the prototype of its culture.

Today, as a result of active study of the past, many traces of northern nomadic peoples who drove horses across the steppes of the Altai cultural space have been discovered, dormant in the original Korean culture. Many research data show: the spirit of the steppe culture of the North, covering vast spaces between Europe and northeast Asia, reaches the Korean Peninsula. It is not difficult to notice traces of a lively exchange between East And West: Through the steppe silk roads, the culture of nomadic riders reached the eastern tip of Asia - the Korean Peninsula.

Let's take a look at the forgotten past of the distant ancestors of the Koreans: the matter of clarifying the primary source of their culture is very important for restoring the identity of the nation. This is the fundamental basis for organizing the cultural framework - the chronicle of the Korean nation as part of world history. Exploring the routes of movement of the ancient Korean people and their traces, this work aims to clarify the origins of the Korean nation, community and the connection of its traces with the culture of the nomadic riders of Eurasia. This will serve as a prerequisite for understanding the main current of the forgotten history of the Korean nation.

The beginning of the formation of the Korean nation. The concept of a nation artificially created by Western logic is far from the definition of the Korean nation. The latter is not a social organism organized according to someone’s intention, but a community formed in the process of long historical development, at the center of which are blood-tribal elements. It is formed as a result of living movement over a long history, continuous changes.

Modern Koreans are called a mononation. However, just as there is not a single nation of pure blood in the world, such a statement does not correspond to the Korean nation. The ancient Korean people also, during its formation, merged naturally through repeated divisions and concentrations of many groups as a result of wars, climate change, sharp increase population. And in the end this process became driving force in the formation of the so-called Godjoson- the first Korean state (2333 - 108 BC). Many tribes that have gone down in history - Ye, Mek, Han, Xiongnu, Mongols, Goguryo, Dongye, Oktyo, Dongho, Buyo, Goran (Khitan), Yodin, Suksin - are closely connected with the formation of the Korean nation. These groups acted in the common Altai cultural space.

If so, what routes did they take to form the Korean nation? Let's consider several genetic hypotheses of Korean scientists.

Hypothesis about the Mak tribes and the ancient Altai united state.

Around 4000 BC e. The so-called Paleo-Asian tribes, who lived in northern Siberia and used ceramic dishes with a comb-shaped ornament (Hatch ceramics), entered the areas of Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. Collectives living in Altai mountains ah and in the north of Mongolia, scattered in Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula, met with the Maek who settled there - and the Korean people were formed. In the first Korean states - the united states of the Altai tribes, consisting mainly of Korean people and a small number of Altai peoples, Turkic or Mongol-Tungus tribes may have been mixed, and the northern nomadic ethnic elements gradually decreased in the process of settling.

Hypothesis about the Altai peoples.

Having formed near the Altai Mountains, they reached in the west through Central Asia to Eastern Europe, and in the north across the Siberian Lena River - to Manchuria, the Korean Peninsula and Japan, they formed the peoples of the Turks, Mongols, Manchus, Koreans and competed in power with the Chinese Hans.

Three Tribes Hypothesis. The people that the Chinese called “Tunyi” (barbarians in the east), and ethnologists called the primitive Tungus, are the Koreans. They belonged to the same yellow race, but were different from the Han Chinese and the Mongols. It is believed that this Korean people was formed Phan Ung,Buyo and Saki (Chinese), which in different times moved east through northern China. The Buyo moved through the northern steppes. Their paths coincide with the directions of distribution of sharply processed stone tools and ceramic dishes Hatch-ceramics. Tribes Fan Ung came to the northeast from Central Asia or areas Tianshan, passing through the Chinese province Hamsuk, lower reaches of the river Yellow River. The Saki (Chinese) arrived on the Korean Peninsula from Central Asia or modern Turkey through Tianshan, Dongfang, Ordos, Liaodong. They formed the royal line of the Force. These three tribes, having arrived at different times in northeast China, mixed with the local population and, having moved to Korean Peninsula, have grown into leading forces.

Despite some discrepancies in the statements of scientists, the opinions of many of them agree that between the routes of movement of the ancient groups of the Korean nation and the areas of activity of nomadic peoples moving east and west on the huge stage of the Altai Mountains, Central Asia, Tien Shan, Siberia, Mongolian steppes - there is a lot in common.

In addition, there are results of studying the composition of tribes using a new molecular genetic method of analyzing the Y chromosome, transmitted only through the paternal line, and mtDNA (mitochondria DNA) - maternal. Let's look at them.

Modern man came to the Korean Peninsula and began to live there towards the end of the Ice Age. At the end of the Upper Stone Age, a complete renewal of the population occurred. The genetic type of Koreans is characterized by the fact that it contains a mixture of people who came through the southeastern Asia, on the one hand, and Siberia, on the other. This is due to the fact that in the last difficult period for survival ice age areas west of Lake Baikal, eastern Sayan Mountains, lower reaches of the river Yenisei were oases. Distribution comparison Y-chromosomal genetic type of Korean shows: among men, about 80% belongs to the northern genealogy, 20% to the southern one. When comparing haplotypes (haplotype) mtDNA different geographical areas are found: their area of ​​origin is the eastern part Sayansky mountains and surroundings Baikal .

When comparing mtDNA of 86 nations of the world, it turned out: the most high degree genetic relatedness - between Koreans and Mongols.

In addition, according to studies of human travel routes conducted by American scientists using mtDNA and molecular clocks, in northeast Asia movement occurred through the steppe regions Eurasia; on Korean peninsula people came in two directions - south and north.

Of course, the results of research using the molecular genetic method have not reached the level of absolute confidence, but they attract attention because the excavations that have been actively carried out recently in Manchuria and Siberia showed results very reminiscent of the routes of movement of nationalities indicated by supporters of molecular genetics.

As the research of many scientists has revealed, a new molecular genetic method, recent archaeological excavations, in many cases, nomadic peoples moving along the Eurasian steppes came to the Korean Peninsula through the northeastern China And Manchuria and gradually settled there, cultivating agricultural land.

Ancient Korean culture with characteristic features of nomadism. Traces of the nomadic culture of the north are not difficult to detect in excavation materials. Characteristic relics of the new stone era - ceramic dishes with a narrow lower end and a comb ornament are distributed over a vast territory from Northern Europe and Siberian steppes to Korean peninsula. It was brought here by the Turks or Mongols living in the steppes of Siberia.

In addition, traces of the Siberian Iskitim culture of the Bronze Age have been discovered in many areas of Korea.. During the period of the Iskitim culture, which began in the 13th and 12th centuries. BC e., in the eastern part of South Siberia and on Mongolian In the hills, mainly objects and stone graves with images of argali, deer, and horses were widely developed. Such burials were widespread in the northeast of modern China, in ancient states Manchuria, Godjoson, Buyo and culturally and religiously reached Goguryo. This suggests that the Korean bronze culture was associated with Siberia in the north and Mongolia rather than with China.

On a small copper sword found during excavations in Buyo, traces of Chinese culture can be found. The main elements that characterize it are ornaments in the form of predatory animals and herbivores. The handle of the mentioned blade is decorated with the image of a bird. This sword shows: Chinese And centrally-Asian culture came through Mongolia And China V Manchuria and on Korean peninsula and spread to Japan. This path testifies to the cultural exchange between Eurasia And Korea.

Traces of the culture of nomadic riders can be found in " outback" peninsula: in Silla - in stone graves with external wooden coffins in which kings rest, horse equipment, golden relics, etc. Typical nomadic household items - bronze pots and drinking horns - also attract attention. In particular, ancient graves in Silla and the objects recovered from them, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, they are completely different from the pre-existing burials and relics and correspond to the culture of the northern nomads. Especially the gold jewelry, in its form and content, fully reflects the religion and features of the nomadic objects. Xiongnu, which indicates that one of their branches was the new ruling stratum of the royal families of Silla Excavated in 1973-. '74 on its ancient ruins, golden crowns, belts and other objects, not to mention the shapes of stone graves with external wooden coffins (Chonmachong, Fangnam Daechong) demonstrate a type of northern nomadic culture, and glassware and works of applied art hypothetically indicate Roman origin, which allows suggest an exchange with a Mediterranean state.

According to Samachon's "Historical Record", clashes between the Hanmuze and the Xiongnu caused drastic radical changes in the steppes. Parts of the Xiongnu, dismembered by Hanmuze attacks to the east and west, moved further and further away from each other in opposite directions. And this is where the records about them end. The northern Xiongnu, who were later expelled to the west, received the name " Huns". In clashes with the Germanic peoples in the 4th century, they become catalysts for the great movements of the Germans. Those who were pushed east came to the Korean Peninsula around the 5th century. It is assumed that they reached its southeast - to Silla (present-day Gyongdu). In addition, the title of the titles " isagym", "maripgun" means Xiongnu-Altai sovereign and corresponds to the “khagan” - the ruler of the Turkic empire.

The Xiongnu, Turks, Mongols and other nomads, whose living space was the Eurasian steppes, were excellent horse riders. There are records: the Xiongnu, who constantly threatened the Korean states, fired from Parthian onion- turning his body at full gallop. The wall paintings of Muyongchong (Goguryo) depict Goguryo warriors on a hunt: having lowered the reins, they turned around top part body 180 degrees. This shows: the horse was for the residents Goguryo part of a lifestyle; they are descendants of nomadic peoples who used these animals in movements and military tactics.

In the distant past, Koreans moved across the expanses of the steppes between east and west more freely than now, on horseback, breathing in unison with Eurasia.

The Korean Peninsula, as the eastern tip of the Eurasian steppes, was greatly influenced by the changes of the steppe world. Xiongnu, Xianbi, goran (Khitan), iodine, Mongols and other northern nomadic peoples moved to the Korean Peninsula. Before the Three Kingdoms Period (Goguryo, Silla, Bektse) this apparently happened in various ways.

The Xiongnu were brave warriors and horsemen. They created at the current Mongolian highlands formed a great nomadic empire, but as a result of the expansion of the Han state, it split into east and west. Some of them, having moved to the west, became the subject of the founding Hungary. Another formed in the south Korea the ruling stratum of Silla, living traces of which have survived to this day.

In the study of the origins of the ancestors of the Korean nation on the basis of primitive materials from a period when there was no written language, and historical legends, written from a Chinese perspective, there is a limit. However, along with the intensified excavations and the latest scientific methods, archaeological, cultural, genetic, linguistic, mythological and other comprehensive studies will make it possible in the near future to revive the lost memory of our ancestors.

Literature

Choe Han U. Central Altai. Phyonegi, 1993.

Kim Chong Hak. About the origin of the Korean nation. Studying national culture. Institute of National Culture, Goryo University. 1964.

Chong Hiong Din. Phan Ung from the thousand-year-old kingdom of Susiana. Ilpit, 2006.

Compiled by Lee Hong Gyu. Search on Lake Baikal for the origin of our nation. Chongsin segewon, 2005.

Hello!

It’s been a while since I wrote something, when I looked at the date of the last entry yesterday, I gasped. I really don't control time. Well, let's not rant and get straight to the point. I would like to talk about people who are considered strangers among their own, and friends among strangers.

Ethnic Koreans

For the most part, books, dissertations, theses are written on the topic, so you understand that it is not only impossible to fit everything into one article, but even into 2 articles. Therefore, I will write everything here very briefly, but I think everything will be very clear, although some aspects will remain open to me.

Types of Koreans:

The emphasis is on history. Of course, I’m not much of a historian, but there are several, mmm, not so much species, but rather groups of the Korean people:

1. Those who moved to Russia before the 19th century.

Korea was just a very poor country, and everyone wanted to eat well, and in general live well. Therefore, many Koreans moved to Russia before the 19th century. How? Across the border that was created in 1861. Koreans received citizenship of the Russian Empire, and lived/worked peacefully in the fields. In general, we must give them their due, because they are a hardworking people, no matter what anyone says.

By the way, a simple riddle for those who have been or are in Korea:

When you meet grandmothers on the streets of the city, you probably saw them walking, bent over. Question: why do they walk like that?

1. Those who moved in the first half of the 20th century.

And here we come across history. In 1905, Russia lost the Russo-Japanese War. According to the Treaty concluded in Portsmouth, the Russian Empire recognized that Korea was becoming a colony of Japan. They say that this agreement damaged our reputation, but in fact it was drawn up by two equal parties. We lost a lot, but Japan spent more on the war. Plus, we didn’t pay any indemnity.

So the Korean people slowly continued to migrate until the 30s of the 20th century. There were basically 3 reasons for this:

• Plenty of land on which to work.
• Loyalty of officials and the sovereign to the settlers.
• They fled from the Japanese.

1. Chinese Koreans.

Below I will give a little more detailed information, but let's stop here for now. The majority of Chinese Koreans live in the Yanban Korean Autonomous Region. Their number is relatively large - approximately 2,200,000 souls. Koreans also came here between 1860 and 1945 due to the Japanese occupation. 5 years later, the Korean War began, and those who were in China did not want to return to their homeland. As a result, they took Chinese citizenship. The district itself was formed in 1952.

A little help:

There are Koreans from Sakhalin, but I know absolutely nothing about them. I only heard that they exist and that’s all. If anyone is reading me from Sakhalin, or if anyone knows about the Koreans “there”, write in the comments.

How did Koreans end up in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan?

The thing is that in the 20th century, under Stalin, mass exiles of Koreans began due to suspicions that they could act as espionages in the interests of Japan. Don't forget, the Japanese kept Korea as a colony until 1945. And so apparently the government decided to resettle x. If you have an ethnic Korean friend in Russia, ask where his grandparents are or where his family came from. Surely the answer will be that relatives are in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan.

Classification

During all this time I heard 3 names of groups:

1. 고려사람 (Goryosaram)
2. 교포 (kyopo)
3. 조선족 (Joseonchok)

Koryosaram is the name given to those Koreans who live in Russia and the CIS countries. Kyopo are those who live in Europe, America and Australia. Well, Chosonchog are those who live in China, that is, Chinese Koreans.

An incident from life

I'll tell you a story that made me think. Not far from my university, where I study Chinese, there is a store run by a Korean. And then one day after classes I decided to go there and buy all sorts of cool stuff. I go to the checkout, the cashier does the calculation and asks me something in Chinese. I look at him and suddenly ask “한국분이신가요?”, to which I get the answer “아니, 저 조선족이에요”. I omitted his pleasantries addressed to me; something else is important here:

The person is ethnically Korean, speaks Korean and also knows Korean culture, but at the same time he does not recognize himself as a Korean. The idea formed in his mind that he was of a different nationality. This moment made me think.

Attitude

Mmmm, the state is encouraging all ethnic Koreans to return to their historical homeland, and visas are proof of this. But I can't tell the citizens South Korea expressed their negativity towards their visiting brothers, because I simply did not see or hear such a thing. But many people don’t like Chosonchok. The most common reason: arrogant, lazy cowards who abandoned the country in difficult times. The funny thing is that it was mostly the “young people” who told me this, not the older generation.

Job

It is many times easier for an ethnic Korean to get a job in Korea than, say, for me, but nevertheless, I have never heard of such a person getting a high management position in a Korean company. Organize your own business? Yes, I have heard and seen such people more than once, but to directly get a leadership position? No, I haven't seen anything like this.

In general, it is the Joseonchoks who receive the greatest advantage. In addition to the Korean language, they speak Chinese, as well as the cultures of 2 countries, and this makes life in Korea much easier for them.

I remember that I was still studying language courses and at level 4 there was one girl with me. She is Joseon and her father is Chinese and her mother is Korean. The funny thing is that dad and mom don’t speak each other’s language. I don’t know how they communicated, but the fact remains. What do we have as a result? As a result, this young lady spoke both Chinese and Korean, but as far as I remember, her command of Chinese was much better. I still remember how excited she was when she told me how she interpreted the quarrels of her father and mother.

So, she constantly offered the Chinese various assistance in finding work because she was already working for some company, but she still accepted various offers from other companies. In my opinion, she “fed” a lot of Chinese.

Ehhhh, yes. She was a good girl, kind.

My advice

If you are a representative of the Korean nation and live in Russia and the CIS countries, but at the same time want to work in Korea without knowing the language, then the advice is this:

Learn the language!

If you look at your humble servant, you can clearly see that I am anyone, but not Asian and certainly not Korean. Just take a look at me

I will be forgiven a lot, and if I say something in Korean, the Koreans will only say “한국어 진짜 잘 하시네요!” and pat me on the back. That is, I have the right not to know the language at all, because I am Russian. I lived and grew up in Russia and my native language is “great and mighty”.

In your case, if you don’t speak Korean at work, your bosses and work colleagues will only say “씨”. Despite the fact that your native language is Russian, Kazakh or Uzbek. You are an ethnic Korean! Be kind enough to know your language and your culture.

Although you can stupidly ignore everyone and calmly work at a factory for about 10-12 hours every day and rest only on Sundays.

But if you can communicate in Korean, then there is a very high probability that the boss will already take you into account and put you even above Joseonchok, because you acquired knowledge with your own sweat and blood at a conscious age, and not from childhood.

That's roughly what I wanted to tell you. I see that it wasn’t much and there’s probably a lot that you don’t understand, so you can ask your questions. If I know the answer, I will answer right away.

That's all! Sorry that I write so rarely, I don’t do this out of malice :)

Thanks everyone!

A little about Koreans

Where did Koreans come from?

To the question “who are Koreans?” many will answer “they are Asians, and they live on the Korean Peninsula, in two countries - North and South Korea.” And someone might even call them Chinese or Mongols. There are many options, because until now scientists and historians have not come to a common conclusion, continuing to put forward various hypotheses about the origin of the Koreans.

There is a version that for about six thousand years, Paleo-Asian tribes living in northern Siberia settled in Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula, where they met with the Maek tribes who settled there, resulting in the formation of the Korean people.

Someone says that the Altai peoples reached from the foot of the Altai Mountains to Manchuria, the Korean Peninsula and Japan, where they had to resist the Chinese Yihan, so the tribes rallied over time, forming the peoples of Koreans, Mongols, Turks, etc.

There is an opinion that the primitive Tungus are Koreans, formed as a result of the merger of three tribes: Phan Ung who arrived from Central Asia, Buyo who came from the steppes and Saki from Turkey. These three tribes came to northern China, where they mixed with local peoples, and then settled on the Korean Peninsula.

But DNA studies show that the Korean people originate from the eastern part of the Sayan Mountains and the environs of Lake Baikal. But one thing is certain - anthropological type Koreans belong to the East Asian branch of the Mongoloid race. Modern Koreans speak Korean and call themselves “Choson saram” in North Korea, and “Hanguk saram” in South Korea. Koreans live not only on the Korean Peninsula, there are quite a lot of them in China, the USA and Japan. Russia ranks eighth among these countries with a Korean population of 180 thousand people. The very ethnic name of Russian Koreans is “Koryo saram”.

Koreans. Interesting facts

• Korean carrots are a dish invented by Russian Koreans and have nothing to do with traditional Korean cuisine;
• The first thing a Korean will ask you after greeting is “Are you hungry?” Food is a very important thing in the Korean mentality;
• Koreans are very hardworking, losing a job means the end of everything sacred in life;
• Lack of sleep is an indicator of performance. For example, a student defending his thesis should look green and half-dead, otherwise he may be reproached for not being diligent enough;
• For men, in line with a small face, a wasp waist and expressive lips, the ideal of female beauty fits... big ears;
• Until 1994, a couple with the same last name could not enter into an official marriage - the registry was stamped “relatives” and the married couple did not have the opportunity to register their children;
• In Korea, they try to avoid the number 4 because it sounds like the word “death.” Therefore, in buildings, often after the third floor there is a fifth, or the four is replaced by the letter F;
• Koreans drink a lot of alcohol. The average annual amount of alcohol per capita is 9.1 liters;
• About 90% of Koreans are myopic, and they prefer glasses to lenses, as this is considered an indicator of a good mind;
• Baseball is the most popular view sports in Korea;
• Plastic surgery is an important part of the life of almost every woman (and men too);
• Many Koreans sing well but dance poorly. This is why they are so excited about Hallyu artists;
• You cannot write the name of a living person in red ink - this will bring death to him. The thing is that previously the name of the deceased was written in red letters on the tombstone;
• 93% of South Korean students graduate from university;
• South Korea ranks second in the world in terms of the number of people who read;
• South Korea's literacy rate is 99%;
• Neither North nor South Korea perceives each other as an independent country. That is, South Korea automatically grants citizenship to a resident of the North, just as North Korea automatically grants citizenship to a resident of the South;
• Every fifth Korean has the surname Kim, the eighth has Lee, the tenth has Park;
• Koreans do not call the Sea of ​​Japan as such, but call it the East Sea. This is due to long-standing conflicts between states.

A little over 150 years ago, peasant families from Korea voluntarily left the borders of their state and rushed to the Far East. HLEB is trying to figure out what made them flee their home country

They fled for various reasons. At first, forays beyond the new borders of the Russian Empire, according to the Aigun Treaty of 1858 and the Beijing Treaty of 1860, were due to the search for wild ginseng and the extraction of hunting trophies. Rumors about the riches of the northern lands spread quite quickly among the poor. Unfortunately, the Korean government's policies only aggravated the situation in the country by tightening tax payments. Under pain of death, Korean peasants left their lands in search of salvation. By the way, among the settlers there were also exiled revolutionaries who, at the expense of the Russian treasury, settled in the most remote places of that time.

In January 1864, 65 people arrived in the South Ussuri region. Unbeknownst to the Korean authorities, the first 14 families founded the Korean village of Tizinghe in Russia near the Chinese border. Now all that remains of this village (now the village of Vinogradnoye) is the building of the St. Innocent Church, rebuilt as a border outpost barracks.

Only the bravest and most resilient reached Russian lands. Some people, on the way to the north, went to Manchuria and did not return. It is difficult to determine how many people did not reach the Russian border, but the mortality rate among those resettled was also extremely high.

The Korean and Chinese governments did their best to prevent the wholesale resettlement of Koreans. But later the Russian rulers also joined them, since the spontaneous increase in immigration caused some concerns. On the one hand, the Russians tried to avoid conflict with their foreign neighbors, but they did not want to lose cheap labor.

In total, in 1878, the total number of Koreans was 6,766 people, of which 624 people, through the efforts of Russian managers, lived in the Amur region (now the Jewish Autonomous Region, the village of Blessed)

Each family in the Blessed One had on their estate large vegetable garden, and the house and outbuildings were located in the center of the entire plot, which ensured the safety of neighbors in the event of a possible fire. The streets were divided into neat, regular blocks. (The location of the houses and streets has been preserved - this can be verified thanks to satellite imagery.) The possibility of an attack by Chinese bandits was not excluded, since the village is located in close proximity to China. Therefore, for the safety of the residents, the village was surrounded by an adobe wall a little more than two meters high, in which dugouts and loopholes with guards were built.

Also, three schools were opened in the village: a parish school for boys, a ministerial school for girls, which was maintained at the expense of the Ministry of Public Education, and a Korean one. The latter was attended by only 8 people, who had to study in their parents' fanzes, but here children could study Korean and Chinese writing, basic information on Eastern geography and arithmetic.

Despite attempts to contain the mass Korean resettlement in the Amur region, after seven years there were 8,500 registered settled Koreans, and 12,500 foreigners. In addition, up to 3 thousand people came to work every year.

Russian settlement of the Far East remained a priority, so in 1886 the decision of the congress on the Korean issue was a petition to ban Korean and Chinese settlements in border areas; those who had previously resettled should be evicted deeper into the territory of the region, and the developed lands should be transferred to the use of migrant peasants. In this way, many villages were formed in the Khabarovsk and Primorye Territories, to which the journey even now requires special physical effort.

The “Regulations on Chinese and Korean subjects in the Amur region” solved the problem of the Russian authorities with the development of the Far Eastern territories. All Koreans who were on the territory of the Russian Empire were conditionally divided into three categories. The first group included those who settled before 1884 - they were allowed to remain in the Ussuri region, but take Russian citizenship. The second includes those who moved after 1884, but wish to accept Russian citizenship. The third category included temporary residents who came to work. They had no right to settle on state lands. It was possible to stay only if you received residence tickets.

The Korean population made a significant contribution to the development of the Far East. In the South Ussuri region, arable farming began to develop, which was the main occupation of Korean peasants. In the 70s, there was even a surplus of bread, which led to lower prices. In addition, the Koreans built bridges, built dirt and railway, communication routes have been laid. In general, the Korean people took their work responsibly, as Governor-General A. N. Korf himself admitted:

"Since 1887," he wrote , - the Koreans living with us were involved in serving zemstvo duties not only on an equal basis with the Russian population, but even significantly more larger size. <…>They built new roads free of charge, from the Novokievsky tract to the Razdolny settlement and from the Podgornaya station to the village of Iskakova, a total of more than 300 versts. In general, I must speak with great praise about the conscientious fulfillment by the Koreans of all the duties assigned to them».

Thus, Koreans became a politically important part of the Russian population. However, in order for the Korean population to be maximally involved in the affairs of the empire, it was necessary to carry out educational reforms. The simplest way to Russify Koreans was propaganda through the Orthodox Church. This was especially important for those remote villages where there were no schools, since the clergy were the only literate people among the entire population.

As a result, in 1883-1902, the total Russian population in the Primorsky region increased from 8,385 to 66,320 people. The number of the Korean population of the region over the years has increased from 10,137 to 32,380 people. After the establishment of the Japanese colonial regime in Korea, the emigration of Koreans became more widespread. In addition to the sharp deterioration in material conditions, some people fled purely for political reasons. Among these were participants in the anti-Japanese national liberation struggle. But it was actually difficult to take into account the number of Koreans constantly arriving, since many arrived illegally, bypassing customs posts with Russia. The Japanese authorities did not issue passports and prohibited emigration, which made it difficult to resettle in Russia, and it was also not easy to purchase Russian residence cards. So the influx from Korea in 1910 increased by another 10 thousand. The population increased by about 600-700 people every month. In 1917, the rural Korean population in Primorsky Krai alone was 81,825 people, accounting for 30% of the region's population.

And, probably, everything would have been different if not for the war, then the revolution, and then the Japanese occupation of the Far East. Koreans from the beginning civil war warmly supported the Red Army, which expressed an active anti-Japanese position.

However, despite helping to support the Bolshevik movement in the Far East, the Soviet government was seriously alarmed by the presence of two huge foreign diasporas - Chinese and Korean.

Meanwhile, the population of Vladivostok and Primorsky Krai was growing. The majority still remained to live in rural areas, especially the Posyetsky district, where immigrants from Korea lived - 90%. And by the mid-30s, the number of Koreans approached the 200 thousand mark. They've all already passed Soviet school, where the Korean population became truly “one of our own”, with sufficient knowledge in the field of Russian culture.

Already in 1923, proposals arose to evict the Korean population from the Far East. At this time, Korea was a colony of Japan. Therefore, the first pretext for such a political “purge” was acts of recruitment by the Japanese authorities of the Korean population in the Far East. “In order to suppress the penetration of Japanese espionage,” mass resettlement measures were taken from all areas without exception to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. After collectivization in Central Asia millions of people died, and hundreds of thousands migrated beyond the borders of their republics. Famine and epidemics deprived this territory of the availability of labor resources, so deportation here made up for the shortage with Korean able-bodied personnel. It is impossible not to take into account the fact that the policy of the 30s left its mark on the fate of resettlement, since in general it boiled down to the struggle against peoples hostile to socialism. It was the Korean people who were the first to experience the difficulties of deportation to the USSR.

By the way, about the Koreans living on Sakhalin, and why they were not deported like the others. In the 70-80s of the 19th century, the first settlements appeared on Sakhalin, which increased noticeably after Russo-Japanese War. Japan captured the southern part of the island (Karafuto) and until 1945 actively pursued a resettlement policy for Koreans. At first these were seemingly peaceful actions to recruit young Korean workers into the coal mines of Sakhalin. In 1944, special police units were created that forcibly expelled all men from their homes for removal from Korea. Thus, after the surrender of Japan, the Korean population of Sakhalin was approximately 50,000 people.

After the return of South Sakhalin, a problem arose with Korean settlers. Some of them had Japanese citizenship, some were stateless. To make a decision, the Soviet government was waiting for a solution to the issue of Korean reunification, but the war began. Of course, most of the Koreans were from the south and wanted to return home, but the USSR was not going to supply the enemy with manpower, and the issue was postponed for another 10 years.

In the mid-50s, it was decided to conduct a survey: do they want to stay in the Soviet Union or leave, and if they leave, then to the southern or northern part? In turn local government on Sakhalin, she campaigned for the continuation of life in the USSR or, at worst, to move to the DPRK. The only option for returning to Korea was by ships going to the DPRK. To avoid provocations, the Soviet escorts were equipped with weapons, and the steamship with the settlers was followed by a Soviet warship.

The return of Koreans from Central Asia never took place. In 1993, the Supreme Council of Russia declared the deportation of the Korean population from the Far East illegal. But the Soviet Union was gone, and the question of a new resettlement no longer arose.

By the way, on March 30, the participants international club friendship TOGU. The event will bring together Korean students from all Khabarovsk universities, a concert dedicated to South Korea will take place, and the exhibition will end with a delicious tea party.

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