5 Thousand Years of History

Have you heard of this country?

On conventional world maps
Korea is a small country that looks insignificant at the bottom edge of the Eurasian continent.

On upside-down world maps
Korea looks powerful as it emerges from the continent and extends into the Pacific Ocean.

This country has much more potential than most people in the world think.

Gojoseon (2333 – 108 B.C.)
Founding Principle of this kingdom: Hongik Ingan, which means to promote the benefits of humanity
From its founding, Gojoseon pursued becoming a nation that benefits humanity through peaceful means and voluntary services, instead of a nation that controls the world by force and economic power.

Despite being large, this country did not disregard other countries. Although it had a powerful army, it did not invade other countries, but rather showed respect and shared their food. 
- Biography of the Eastern Barbarians

The country where Confucius, one of the four most respected Chinese saints, wanted to live

This 5000-year-old founding principle has been passed down to today. Korea is the country that sends the third most number of volunteers to different parts of the world.  

Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)
Dream of this kingdom: empire of heavenly son, which pursues changing the world with the pride of being the center of the world

From its founding, this country believed that they were the descendents of god.
- Epitaph of the Gwanggaeto Stele

Based on this pride, Goguryeo established cooperative relationships with Turkey and many other Central Asian countries.

China also considered itself the chosen and the center of the world.
Its egocentric worldview considered itself an empire and the center of the world.   

Goguryeo had different dreams.
It pursued becoming a center of the world’s cooperative relationships.
This thousand-year-old dream has been passed down to its descendents. In the 21st century, Korea became the center of Asia and the gateway to Northeast Asia.

Korea’s dream is to become a country that shares friendship and dreams with everybody in the world.

Gaya (100~1 B.C. – A.D. 562)
Culture of this kingdom: the country of advanced culture and arts

The Kingdom of iron
Gaya developed an astonishing Iron Age culture, using its abundant high-quality iron.

Unique and artistic earthenware culture
Country of court music and Gayageum (zither)
Country of advanced culture that provided the basis for Japanese culture
Gaya’s advanced culture and arts were continued by young Koreans in the 21st century.
Korea is creating the Korean Wave, a new cultural trend in Asia.

Balhae (698 – 926)
Historical perception of this kingdom: the successor of Goguryeo

The Tang Dynasty controlled Asia as a superpower.
However, there was one country that used its own reign name, instead of the Tang’s.
Balhae was the only country that had cultural exchanges with Tang on equal terms.

“We recaptured old Goguryeo territories and succeeded to the culture of Buyeo.”

Balhae expanded its territory into Manchuria and left its cultural heritage in the land of Manchuria.
Balhae’s historical perception as a successor of Goguryeo has been passed down to today.
Young Koreans are making their best effort to protect Dokdo, the East Sea, and Goguryeo history in the 21st century.

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 935)
System of this kingdom: the kingdom of 1000 years
One of the world’s longest lasting kingdoms
Average length of a Chinese kingdom: 150 years 
Silla was a rare kingdom that lasted for over 1000 years.
Through its long history, three queens came to the throne.  

Queen Seondeok (reign: 632-647) ascended the throne, which was at the time only given to a male, a half century before Wu Zetian became the first and only Chinese empress. She made policies for poor commoners, selected personnel on the basis of their talents, and established a stable political system to unify the Korean nation. She came to the throne in a turbulent time. With outstanding female leadership, she achieved her dream of laying a strong foundation for a long-lasting kingdom.

Queen Seondeok became a role model for modern-day women, who pursue becoming leaders in all areas of politics, economy and culture.

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)
Geopolitical location of this kingdom: the center of international exchange in Northeast Asia 

King Geunchogo (reign: 346-375)
King Geunchogo expanded the territory into China’s Liaoxi and the Shandong Peninsula.
He also disseminated Baekje’s advanced economy and culture to Japan.
Baekje established a great empire in Northeast Asia that linked Korea to China and Japan. Beyond China-centered diplomacy, Baekje established independent relationships with many other Asian countries.

In the 7th century, Baejke contributed to the formation of Japan’s first Buddhist culture during the Asuka Period.

In 2001, the Japanese Emperor Akihito said:
“I feel kinship with Korea because the granddaughter of King Muryong of Baekje gave birth to a Japanese emperor.”

Baekje’s status as the center of international exchange in Northeast Asia has led to young Koreans’ dream of making Korea into the center of cultural exchange in the 21st century.   

Goryeo (918 – 1392)
Ideas of this kingdom
Movable metal type: a great invention that changed the information system of humanity

Recognition of the BBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Time Magazine
The Greatest Invention of the Past Thousand Years that Changed the World,

Movable Metal Type Printing
This invention allowed for the spread of knowledge among common people beyond the circle of the privileged. 

Many historical changes were made possible due to this invention:
The Renaissance, the Reformation, the Civil Revolution and the Industrial Revolution

Goryeo was the country that developed the world’s first movable metal type, several hundred years before the West. It disseminated its advanced technologies to Japan and other Asian countries. Such creativity has been passed down to young Koreans. Korea has the world’s fastest internet service,and it has become a leader in the mobile and smart revolution of the 21st century.

Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
Political Philosophy of this kingdom
People-based politics: political philosophy that regards people as the basis of politics

The power of the king is given by god and its people. The king is obligated to respect the people. Joseon was the only country whose king led the creation of an alphabet, specifically designed for commoners. 

King Sejong the Great,
then age 24, made this happen.
During his reign, people suffered from drought for seven years.

To share in this suffering, King Sejong worked in a simple straw-bale house, instead of a fancy palace, for 28 months. 

“The king ordered two rooms to be built with minimal decoration. After its completion, he stayed here, instead of the main hall.” – The Annals of King Sejong

He maintained a people-based politics to prioritize people.
This people-based political philosophy has been passed down to today.

Korea is recorded in world history as the country that achieved democracy in the shortest time span.

Have you heard about this country?

It is a country that has a great 5000 years of history,  including the kingdoms of Gojoseon, Goguryeo, Balhae, Gaya, Baekje, Silla, Goryeo and Joseon.

The name of this country is Korea.
What is your dream for this country?
Your dream will create the future of Korea.

Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) is looking for young Koreans, who will inherit the historical heritage and wisdom of Korea’s 5000 years of history.

Young Koreans will become Asia peacemakers to achieve the peaceful unification of Korea and world changers to make the world better.

Will you join us to create the future of Korea? 

You will make the history of a new Korea.