When we look to the heroes of our own country we have an abundance of figures to revere. However, when we look internationally these same figures do not hold the same meaning in other nations. Similarly, when we look at other country’s heroes we may not fully understand their importance. Despite this reality, in this…
Did you know the Korean alphabet was created by a king for the people? The king is King Sejong of Joseon(1392-1910). King Sejong felt sorry for commoners who were suffering due to illiteracy. Despite the objection of the noble class, he decided to create an alphabet that anyone can learn in a day. The…
Did you know Korea has one of the oldest extant world maps? HonilGangniYeokdaeGukdoJido (Gangnido for short) is a world map that was drawn in the early 15th century. Its name means “the map of the world to know.” It was created in 1402, ten years after the establishment of Joseon(1392-1910), by deputy prime ministers.…
Did you know Korea made an invention that changed the world? Life Magazine’s millennium special issue, published by Time, listed the invention of the printing press in the top 100 events that changed the world in the last millennium. And many world history books published in North America and Europe devote major coverage to…
Did you know Korea has the highest quality pottery from the 10th century? Celadon, jade green pottery, was first made by China. However, even the Chinese coveted Goryeo celadons. In his book, Xiuzhongjin, Song Dynasty writer Taiping Laoren listed Goryeo celadons as the most-desired items in China. An envoy from Song’s emperor wrote in…
Did you know Korea has an ancient incense burner made with world-class technology? In the New Testament, there is a story about the Wise Men who gave Jesus the gift of incense. Korea has a 1400-yearold incense burner. A gilt-bronze incense burner was excavated in the town of Buyeo in Chungcheongnamdo Province in December…
Did you know Korea has the largest number of ancient gold crowns in the world? Among the 13 ancient gold crowns found around the world, seven are from the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla(57 B.C.–A.D. 935). For this reason, Silla is also known as the kingdom of gold crowns. Silla is considered the ancient…
Did you know Korea has one of the most comprehensive collections of Buddhist canons in the world? A country’s cultural level is indicated in its printing technology and books because literature delivers the knowledge of the time. MugujeonggwangDaedaranigyeong (The Great Dharani Sutra) from Silla is the world’s oldest surviving book printed with wood blocks.…
Did you know the PyeongChang Olympics made a mythical creature from Goguryeo a global star? The creature was painted on a wall of a tomb that was created in 408. It was recreated for the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, drawing international attention. The talk of the town was a human-faced bird, Inmyeonjo in…
For the Korean people, Dokdo symbolizes full independence and freedom. Dokdo was the first Korean territory taken by Imperial Japan in the early 20th century. It was returned to Korea in 1945, along with Korea’s independence from Japan. Dokdo became a symbol of our independence and freedom. Did you know Korea led one of…