Playing a little Catch-up

In reading my South Korean History and Culture book, I am getting through a few more early centuries before I start reading on the country as a unified peninsula very soon. However, when I left off before, I explained a few shipping ports named mainly after Chinese culture, since they were the ones beginning trade and influence on those cities. Soon thereafter, the people of Korea regained control of the ports and formed three Kingdoms; Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla. Sooooo much happens over a few centuries, wars and overall social unrest and unhappiness. I will explain....

Koguryo was in the north and certainly fought for many years for control over Manchuria. (will become a big player over time)

Paekche is certainly the weakest of all three kingdoms and plays a good hand when in war and choosing sides. However it is the first city to really combine with one of the other two (depending on the century).

Shilla is the first large and most documented city at the time (53-668 AD). The information that this book is based on is that from this city. It describes the social rank system. A man's position in society is fixed at birth and rarely is changed. The "bone" rank system was prevalent in deciding who would take the kingdom's throne.

Hallowed bone rank (the only rank able to inherit the throne)

True bone rank (ranks 6, 5 & 4.... aristocracy level)

Commoner (ranks 3, 2 & 1 .... little to no power)

Slaves

What determines these ranks are: size of residence, color of dress, the nature or function of the vehicles they traveled in, and utensils.

NO MARRIAGE BETWEEN RANKS!

Interestingly enough, Shilla resembles modern day family authority set-ups. For example, the women of Shilla were able to work and support their families, and were also allowed to be the head of the family. In Koguryo this is very different, women are not allowed to head the family. The book speaks of the importance of Buddhism and Confucianism. -- Through these religions, the authority was able to keep control over the commoner population for many of the religious rules required the people to respect and follow the rule of the kings.

Economy and trade flourished well considering each of the kingdoms had taken over one or more of the trading posts originally established by Chinese travelers. Ships frequently use the waterways and to and from the peninsula to mainland China.

In 342 AD The three Kingdoms had grown too close to one another and came to the conclusion that each was a threat to each. Alliances between the three kingdoms and outside countries like Japan and China, but these shifted so frequently that it was difficult to know who was stronger than who.

In the end, Shilla came out on top for having the best Navy. They conquered the entire southern peninsula, and a good portion of Koguryo. The rest of the northern part of the peninsula became Parhae.

Three Kingdoms then became two somewhat peaceful for a short amount of time. Shilla continued to have problems with many leaders in their rank system, including 80 YEARS of unrest in their highest government positions. Schisms, take-overs, confucian monks taking power -- all of it contributed to ever-changing power. Frequent peasant uprisings occurred as well... WHAT HAPPENS NEXT in Korean history?

Stay tuned....  :)

Korea; Its History and Culture. Seoul: Korean Overseas Information Service, 1994.