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Korean O-Gae From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Korean O-Gae is a

[edit]Origins of Confucian Thought

[edit]Major Confucian Beliefs

[edit]Contemporary society and Confucianism

See also: Buddhism Confucianism Neo-Confucianism Three Kingdoms Period Martial Arts

[edit]References and further reading

^ Key Concepts in Eastern Philosophy; Leaman, Oliver; Routledge, 1999; pg 74-75 ^ Key Concepts in Eastern Philosophy; Leaman, Oliver; Routledge, 1999; pg 75-76 Handbook of Korea; Korean Overseas Information Service, 2003; pgs Lee, Ki-baik; A New History of Korea; Harvard University Press,1984; pgs 130-135 Lee, Ki-baik; A New History of Korea; Harvard University Press,1984; pgs 163-166 MacArthur, Meher; Confucius: A Throneless King; Pegasus Books, 2011; pgs 163-165 Kimm, He-young; Philosophy of Masters; Andrew Jackson College Press, 2001; pgs 52-58 Palais, James B.; Confucian Statecraft and Korean Institutions; University of Washington Press, 1995 [edit]See also

Article 809 of the Korean Civil Code Korean Buddhism Korean culture Korean Taoism List of Korea-related topics Munmyo Religion in Korea Silhak [edit]External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Korean Confucianism Introduction and translation of Jeong and Gihwa's texts Categories (++): Korean Confucianism (−) (±)Religion in Korea (−) (±) Destabilization of the Korean nation may be said to have its start in the period of SEDO CHEONGJI (lit "in-law government)whereby, at the death of King Cheong-jo, his son, the 10 year old King Sunjo (1800-1834) ascends the Korean throne with the true power of the administration residing with "in-law" relatives as represented by the Andong KIM Clan. As a result, the disarray and blatant corruption in the Korean government particularly in the three main areas of revenues---land tax, military service and the state granary system--- heap additional hardship on the peasantry. Of special note is the corruption of the local functionaries (HYANGNI) who could purchase an appointment as administrators and so cloak their predations on the farmers with a aura of officialdom. YANGBAN families, formerly well-respected for their status as a noble class, are increasingly seen as little more than commoners unwilling to meet their responsibilities to their communities. Faced with increasing corruption in the government, brigandage of the disenfranchised (such as the mounted fire brigands, or "HWAJOK", and the boat-borne water brigands or SUJOK ) and abuse by the military, many poor village folk sought to pool their resources such as land, tools and production in order to survive. Despite the government abolishing slavery and burning the records in 1801, increasing numbers of peasants and farmers become involved in KYE or "mutual assistance associations". However, increasing sighting of Western warships (Alceste;Lyra) off the Korean coast and the Hong Gyeong-nae Rebellion (1811) motivate the Korean administration to resist commerce and communication with the outside world.

Well-tolerated among the peasants and farmers for their egalitarian teachings are the Catholic and Protestant missions though not without animus arising from contention with established Buddhist and Confucian beliefs. In 1839 a brief shift in political fortunes produces a persecution of Christians which takes the lives of three priests and numbers of Korean nationals Korean Martyrs, though attitudes relax with a shift back to control by the Andong KIM Clan'. Arguably of greater influence are the religious teachings of CHOI Che-u, (최제우, 崔濟愚, 1824–1864) called DONGHAK or "Eastern Learning" which is especially popular in rural areas. Themes of Exclusionism (from foreign influences), Nationalism, Salvation and Social Consciousness were set to music so that illiterate farmers could understand and accept them more readily. Choe, as well as many Koreans, was also alarmed by the intrusion of Christianity and the Anglo-French occupation of Beijing during the 2nd Opium War. He believed that the best way to counter foreign influence in Korea was to introduce democratic and human rights reforms internally. Nationalism and social reform struck a chord among the peasant guerrillas, and Donghak spread all across Korea. Progressive revolutionaries organized the peasants into a cohesive structure. Arrested in 1863 for "misleading the people and sowing discord in society" his execution in 1864 sent many of his followers into hiding in the mountains. Along with their beliefs and belongings the DONGHAK refugees take a range of skills and abilities so as to protect Korean culture from the corruptions of Western influences.

1862

CHINJU Uprising; single largest rebellion in Korea. Armed with bamboo spears the populace of the province, led by YU Kye-cheun rebel against the corruptions of the military commander, PAEK Nak-sin and the local government by burning buildings and killing local functionaries.

1864

King Kojong, enthroned at the age of twelve, succeeds King Cheolchong. King Kojong's father, HEUNGSEON  TAEWEON-GUN (Yi Ha-Ung; 1801-1898), rules as the de facto regent until 1873 inaugurates a far-ranging reform program to strengthen the central administration. Of special note was the decision to rebuild palace buildings and finance it through additional levies on the population. In addition SOWON or private academies which threatened to develop a parallel system to the corrupt government and enjoyed special privileges and large land-holdings were repressed despite bitter opposition from Confucian scholars. Opposed to any concessions to Japan or the West, Taewŏn-gun, though out of power after 1873, helped organize the anti-Japanese outbreak in 1882. During his regency he has curried favor with the POBUSANG or "Guild of Peddlers", a tightly knit connected to the trade fairs throughout Korea. Numbering some 125,000 and bound to mutually aid each other, the group can produce a respectable force on short notice. During his regency, the POBUSANG are given the responsibility to collect taxes and can be readily identified by their straw hats. As various nations vie for control of Korea, the POBUSANG will play an important role as a private force.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghak_Peasant_Revolution

1866

August, 1866 - The USS General Sherman, a US merchant ship under the command of a Captain W.B. Preston, arrives near Pyongyang to “establish trade relations with the ‘hermit kingdom.’” Despite messages from the provincial governor rebuffing their solicitation, the ship continues up the Ta Tong River towards Pyongyang. With agitation among the populace growing, the ship’s crew of 19 seizes a local Korean official precipitating an intermittent fire-fight between the crew and the populace for four days. In the end the ship was set afire and the crew was hacked to death as they fled the burning hull. Their remains were later cremated. This incident will precipitate a string of confrontational events between Korea and the US. including a military action by US. forces on Korean forts guarding the approaches to Seoul in June, 1871.

Source: Sinking of the General Sherman; LEE Wha Rang; March 19,2000

1866

Korea launches an anti-foreign campaign focused on the growing Catholic missionary activity and the growing number of incidents arising from foreign ships appearing off their coasts seeking to trade. The full-scale persecution of Catholics, including 9 French missionaries, heralds the policy of the Korean government to isolate from influences of the Western countries. In response, however are the Disturbances of 1866 which, though reportedly in response to Catholic persecution were, in the larger picture, little more than "gun-boat diplomacy" by the French under Admiral Roze and the French Asiatic Squadron, to force-open the isolated nation. Despite the drama such an attack invoked, its impact on the resolutions of the Korean government was nil.

1868

The Heigakko (Officer Academy) is established in 1868 at Kyoto to graduate leaders for the new MeiJi Restoration army. It will later become the parent school of the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, Both the French, and later the Prussian military model is used to train the new Japanese officers in the methods of fighting a modern technological war.

1871

May 1871 - "Foreign Disturbance of 1871" - An American Expeditionary Force is sent to Korea under US Admiral John Rodgers on the flagship frigate USS Colorado, and in the company of the USS Alaska, USS Benica, USS Palos and USS Monocracy brings Frederick F Low, its foreign minister in China to Korea. Low is empowered to establish a trade treaty with Korea and investigate the loss of the USS General Sherman. Negotiations are unproductive and hostilities breakout as the US ships attempt to take soundings in the KANGHWA Strait 350 Korean soldiers are killed during the fight, as a landing force of 651 US Marines capture Ch’oJiJin Fortress on  Kanghwa Island (June 10, 1871). Weapons found in the fort included some 30 or more smaller guns destroyed, along with half a dozen 18-pounders and two 32-pounders. ("Their guns are very rude, seemed to be lashed to logs, and cannot be trained except on a point beforehand, which, when the vessel nears, they touch them off! The vessels were not struck at all, by large shot, and only by one or two rude balls from a small-arm called "Jing-galls" which two men carry on their shoulders & touch off with a match!" - McLane Tilton) The Marines spiked the larger guns and tossed the smaller ones over the walls and into the mud beds below. Stores of enemy powder, provisions, and clothing were burned, and the walls were torn down. The US warships then depart to China. As with the French event of the previous year, there was no impact on the policies of the Korean government and the doors to the Korean nation remained closed to Western influences and trade.

(Source: Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871 - DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY – NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060)

1873

Japan begins to debate the policy of "Subdue Korea" in the Japanese government. Ultra-nationalist elements in the Japanese government are keen to establish a "sphere of influence" in the Pacific Rim nations after the fashion of the legations established by various European nations in China. Pressures mount to modernize the Korean army and police after the fashion of changes occurring in the Japanese military and police as Western technology is absorbed. With Western nations momentarily distracted by events elsewhere the Japanese take a pro-active role in forcing the Koreans to open their country to outside influences.

In Korea, King Kojong has come into his majority and his regent--- his father, HEUNGSEON  TAEWEON-GUN (Yi Ha-Ung; 1801-1898), though no longer a figure in the government remain politically active. Opposed to any concessions to Japan or the West, Taewŏn-gun, though out of power after 1873, helped organize the anti-Japanese outbreak in 1882. During his regency he has curried favor with the POBUSANG or "Guild of Peddlers", a tightly knit connected to the trade fairs throughout Korea. Numbering some 125,000 and bound to mutually aid each other, the group can produce a respectable force on short notice. During his regency, the POBUSANG are given the responsibility to collect taxes and can be readily identified by their straw hats. As various nations vie for control of Korea, the POBUSANG will play an important role as a private force.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donghak_Peasant_Revolution

1873

In the Toyama district of Tokyo, the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or Toyama Military Academy, is established to train the officers and non-commissioned officers of Japan's modern, western-style army. The students would study tactics drawn from French and later Prussian models, marksmanship, calisthenics, French and Prussian swordsmanship using the European saber, military music, and other normal military subjects. Moreover, research and experiments were conducted with fire teams who performed tests with machine guns.

Source: Guy Power; http://www.webdiva4hire.com/kenshinkan/toyama02.html

1876

Japan takes advantage of internal political turmoil in Korea to provoke a military incident off the Korean coast (September 20, 1875). The incursion of the Japanese navel vessel, "Un'yo" clearly points up the deficiencies of the Korean muskets against the modern Japanese rifles. Following Western “gunboat diplomacy” tactics, Gen. Kuroda Kiyotaka is dispatched to Korea with three warships and 800 troops. Japan forces Korea to sign the Kanghwa Treaty (Korea-Japan Friendship Treaty of 1876) which, among other things, requires Korea to open Pusan and two other ports to Japan, allows Japanese vessels to survey Korean coastal waters at will, and establishes (in Korea) Japanese settlements where Japanese residents are subject to Japanese, and not Korean, laws.

1877

1880

Korea sends KIM Koeng-Jip mission to Japan. Unlike the mission sent after the signing of the Kangwha Treaty in 1876, Kim returns from Japan having witnessed startling changes in the Japanese culture and desirous of having like changes made in the Korean culture. The following year, a mission will leave Korea for Japan on a 70 day tour of governmental, military and industrial locations. Not to be out-done, the CHING government of China, accepts a large mission of Koreans for a tour of their governmental and military facilities where they study the methods of modern weapon manufacture and modern military science. Back in Korea, discussions regarding internal reform heat up. There is a growing perception that Korea needs Western technology and greater contact with foreign powers.

1881

King Kojong initiates reform of the Korean military by reorganizing the "Five Garrisons" of the traditional Korean army into two; the MUWIYEONG ("Palace Guards Garrison") and the CHANGEOYEONG ("Capital Guards Garrison")

May, 1881 - King Kojong hires Japanese Lt. Horimoto Reizo to train the PYOLGIGUM, or "Special Skills Force" to march and shoot in European fashion.

1882

Military Mutiny of 1882 - Neo-Confucian scholars fearing the growing influence of Western thought, especially Catholic Christianity, reject tolerance for foreign thinking and encourage WIJEONG CHEOKSA (lit: "defend orthodoxy; reject heterodoxy"). Fueled by this belief, and incensed by fresh abuses to their pay and rations, the Royal Bodyguards rebel at the preferential treatment accorded the Special Unit under Lt. Horimoto Reizo. The Royal Bodyguards revolt in July, 1882,  and Lt. Horimoto Reizo is killed. Further the Bodyguard storms the Japanese Legation narrowly missing the Japanese minister and his staff but burning the building. The Guard likewise attacks the palace seeking to kill Queen Min but is unable to locate the Queen in hiding. Chinese military advisors under a cadre of Chinese officers led by Wu Chang Ching are sent to Korea (August 1882) to help stabilize the situation and institute a training program for the Korean army. Included in this effort are 1,000 rifles, 2 cannon and 10,000 rounds of ammunition.

1882

Korea signs a series of treaties with Western powers, beginning with the US. (Korean-American Treaty, 1882). The United States officially establishes diplomatic relations with Korea on May 22, 1882, when commodore Robert W. Schufeldt negotiates and signs the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation at Chemulpo (present-day Incheon) (Ratified May 19, 1883). This was the second such treaty Korea signed with any country, first with Japan, and the first treaty Korea signed with a Western country. This treaty would set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the first wave of Korean immigration to Hawaii in 1903. Korea dispatches envoys to US, with the general aim of cementing US-Korean ties and to obtain American advisers, teachers, and loans. Korean delegates meet the US president in New York and tour manufacturing facilities in major New England cities (1883). Treaties with Britain,  Germany,  Italy,  Russia,  France, and  Austria-Hungary follow. In response to the Korean government’s policies of enlightenment, anti-foreign opposition by some members of the ruling elite increases. Opponents of greater openness urge Korea to “reject heterodoxy in defense of orthodoxy”: Koreans must accept neo-Confucianism as the sole value system of belief, and keep all other civilizations or values based on any other ideology off the Korean soil. Having stepped aside in deference to his son in 1873, the TAEWON-GUN plots to return to power by capitalizing on isolationist, anti-foreign sentiments.

Taking advantage of the growing anti-foreign backlash of the Neo-Confucians, and the growing unpopularity with Queen Min pro-Chinese attitudes, the TAEWON-GUN displaces his son, King Kojong and returns to power not as a regent but as the head of State, following the Military Mutiny. The Special Force is disbanded and the original "Five Garrison" system was reinstated. Using the riots and the political disturbances in Korea as an excuse, Japan dispatches troops and warships to Korea to offset the Chinese presence. However, Chinese troops are able to seize the men responsible for the Military Mutiny and abduct the TAEWON-GUN. King Kojong returns to power. Japan signs the Chemulpo Treaty with Korea, allowing Japanese troops to be stationed in Seoul  to “protect” the Japanese legation there. China and Japan will continue to jockey for control of Korean politics both as nations and through their factions in the Korean government.

In 1882, followers of Heungseon Daewongun, the de facto ruler of Korea who had been impeached by the supporters of Empress Myeongseong and forced into retirement, staged the Mutiny of 1882 against the Empress and her allies. Daewongun's forces, or "old military", expressing resentment of the preferential treatment given to newly trained troop, killed Japanese training cadre and attacked the Japanese legation. Japanese diplomats, policemen, students and some Min clan members were also killed during the incident. Daewongun was restored to power, only to be forcibly taken to China by Chinese troops dispatched to Seoul to prevent further disorder. In August 1882, the Korean government sent a mission to Japan and agreed to the stationing of Japanese troops to guard the legation in Seoul.