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What are the cultural heritages of Korea well-known to the world?
From time immemorial the Korean people developed the Eastern culture and left behind cultural heritages conducive to the treasure house of human culture.
In the period of Kojoson, the first class state, which was established in the 10th century B.C our ancestors developed the productive forces and improved metal processing techniques with bronze and iron as the chief materials. This is clearly proved by the Pipa-shaped daggers, bronze mirrors with designs of fine lines, bronze axes and other bronze ware. Especially the copper thread used in bronze ware is as thin as 0.25 millimeters in diameter. This shows that the artisanship at the time was considerably developed Kojoson was the first in Asia to produce steel which was used in making axes and other implements.
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During the period of the Three Kingdoms -- Koguryo, Silla and Paekje, sciences and technology developed still more inheriting the traditions of the ancient states.
In particular, the people of Koguryo(277 B.C - 668 A.D), the first feudal state in Korea, left behind cultural heritages of which she can boast to the world. The tombs of Koguryo with mural paintings (earthen tumuluses with stone rooms inside with walls decorated with mural paintings) afford good examples.
Murals of various themes such as hunting, wrestling, landscape with pine trees, cavalry battle, cartshed, kitchen, well, fairies flying across the sky and white tiger were painted on the inner walls and ceilings by using multicolored mineral dyes, These murals were net faded to this date although thousands of years have passed.
Of the cultural heritages of our country well-known to the world, porcelain of Koryo (918-1392) manufactured by its people is typical. Koryo porcelain is famous for its colors, designs, methods of execution and forms. So, it became widely known to the world and made a distinguished contribution to the treasure house of human culture.
In the 12th century our ancestors invented metal type for the first time in the world and printed books with those types. This was over 200years earlier than the invention of metal types by Gutenberg of Germany.
Our ancestors built and used turtle ship (Keobukseon), the world's first iron-clad battleships. The first attempt to build these boats was made in the 15th century In the 16th century their making was resumed and completed based on the previous achievements. In the Imjin patriotic War(1592-98)the distinguished commander Admiral Li Sun Sin performed great feats in the battles to defeat the Japanese invaders by commanding the fleet of turtle ships.
The Korean people have their own peculiar spoken and written language. In January 1444 Hunminjongum(Korean script) was instituted on the basis of their spoken developed from the time of the ancient states. It is scientifically substantiated and precise in its phonetic and orthographic systems. It is easy to write and read, and so everyone can learn it without difficulty. Further, Korea has numerous world-famous cultural heritages in different fields of science, technology and culture.
Turtle Ship(Keobukseon) |
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Geobukseon is a battleship engineered by a scientist at the order of Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea's most-revered hero. "Turtle" is "geobuk" in Korean, and the similarity in appearance between these two hard-shelled creatures explains the name. The upper deck was covered with a rounded wooden roof that itself was studded with pointed iron spikes to repel enemies trying to board.
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Turtleship |
inside view of the Battleship |
During the war, Admiral Yi Sun-sin won every one of at least 23 naval battles he fought, boasting an unprecedented record of victories. Admiral Yi has often been compared with Lord Nelson, the British hero who triumphed over the French-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar. Both admirals fought for the destiny of their countries and saved their countrymen from foreign invasion by securing key naval victories.
Recognized as a breakthrough in military technology, Geobukseon replicas are on exhibit in a number of national museums, including the War Memorial of Korea, the War Memorial Museum in the U.S., the National Maritime Museum in England and historical museums in China, Germany and other countries.
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"Hunminjeongeum(korean script) |
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King Sejong decreed the creation of the Korean alphabet Hangeul to ease the life of commoners in 15th century Joseon. In 1446, the first Korean alphabet system consisting of 14 consonants and 10 vowels was completed and proclaimed "Hunminjeongeum," literally "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people."
Along with the creation of Korean letters, King Sejong published a manual explaining their derivation and how to use them properly. It has become a UNESCO World Documentary Heritage, and the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize-established in 1989-annually pays tribute to those who have made outstanding achievements in promoting literacy. |
Choseon-Ot |
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As the Scottish have kilts, Peruvians ponchos and Indians saris, Koreans have Choseon-ot, their traditional garment. Originating in the ancient Korean kingdoms, its design and variety has been fairly steady from medieval to modern times, differing only based on the season or gender of the wearer.
While Koreans today generally only wear authentic Choseon-Ot on special occasions such as weddings and traditional holidays, modern variations like Saenghwal Choseon that have been tailored to fit modern lifestyles are sometimes seen in everyday life.
Korean designers continue to introduce Choseon-themed clothes to the Western world via world-famous fashion events such as France's Pret-a-Porte. |
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Ondol(underfloor heating system)
Ondol is a uniquely Korean heating system that can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Koguryo. Unlike Western heaters that generally warm the air, ondol heats the floor of a room.
Invented by ancient Koreans, the original system worked by heating a large stone under a living space: Smoke from a fire just outside the dwelling was forced under the stone and exited on the other side.
The system survives today in modern houses and apartments where water heated in gas or electric boilers is circulated through pipes encased in cement floors. |
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Insam(Ginseng)
Among the various kinds of Korea Insam(ginseng) grown around the world, the Korean variety, Goryeo ginseng-named after the ancient Korean kingdom- is unsurpassed in aroma and flavor. Goryeo ginseng grows best in the soil and climate found on the peninsula.
The Korean people have traditionally treated Koea Insam(ginseng) as medicine as well as a health food supplement. In fact, a study on ginseng's efficacy conducted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that subjects taking Korea Insam(ginseng) extract suffered fewer cold symptoms.
Of all the varieties of Korea Insam(ginseng) classified GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, only Goryeo has been listed in the European Union's pharmacopoeia.
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Kimchi
Just as Germans relish sausages, Indians curry, Italians pizza, the Korean people love kimchi. A staple that accompanies Koreans on journeys across the world, kimchi is a pungent, fermented dish made from a range of vegetables-cabbage, cucumbers, seasoned with salt, garlic, green onions, ginger, red chili pepper and other herbs and spices. It may be savored as it is or used as an ingredient in a wide variety of dishes.
On July 5, 2001, kimchi was approved as an international standard by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), an international organization in charge of setting up internationally available food standards with the goal of promoting the trade of food items. Furthermore, an American monthly magazine Health, selected kimchi as one of the world's five healthiest foods in its March online edition. According to the magazine, kimchi is rich in Vitamins A, B and C and bacteria lactobacilli, healthful bacteria that aid digestion. |
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