Japanese colonial historiography claimed that the northern part of ancient Korea was under Chinese control while the southern part was under Japanese rule. From early on, it intended to create a historical image that Korea was a ‘colony’ or in a s...
Japanese colonial historiography claimed that the northern part of ancient Korea was under Chinese control while the southern part was under Japanese rule. From early on, it intended to create a historical image that Korea was a ‘colony’ or in a similar situation, and derive the theory of the heteronomy of Korean history. This was one of the historical grounds for their assertion that Koreans lacked the ability to govern an independent state. In response, modern Korean historiography depicted a ‘great ancient history.’ It proposed the existence of a ‘colony’ of the Dongyi people on the eastern coast of China.
While refuting the theory of the Imna Japanese Headquarters as absurd, it highlighted Baekje’s management of overseas ‘colonies.’ Ancient Japan was described as a cultural subordinate of Baekje. Although the ‘great ancient history’ ostensibly opposed colonial historiography, it shared similarities in its ideas and perspectives. Despite these issues, it was re-examined in the process of overcoming and cleansing colonial historical perceptions and establishing ‘national history’ after liberation. It was reflected in ‘national history’ education since the mid-1970s and citizens’ perception of Korean ancient history became more nationalistic. One of the backgrounds for the rise of pseudo-history can be found here.