Issues on Korean Nationalism - Essay Example

Korean Nationalists Evaluate the following ment by Kim San “…Most of the Koreans from Korea followed the American group, especially the Christians, as well as returned students from abroad and intellectuals generally. These were all gentlemen. Most of them spoke good English. They actually expected to get Korean independence by being able to speak persuasive English…,” (song of Ariran, p 114). From the statement above, a summary can be give of the observations that Kim San made regarding the Korean journey to independence from the Japanese. In these words, it can be understood that there was a form of awakening among the Korean people arising from their openness to external and internal influence that could have changed their independence status. Internal influence came from their willingness to embrace change that could facilitate the formation of independence revolution. It is clear that some of the Korean elite class of scholars who obtained their education from abroad as well as other educated Koreans had the same perspective of empowering the Korean people for independence. It is also clear that the American activists living in Korea might have a hand in the development of Korean pursuit for independence. The speaker is quoted mentioning the Christians from America to particularly having played an important role in the awakening of the Korean people (Pai, 160). From the above summary, the following points can also be enumerated, in view of the matters surrounding the rise of the Korean cultural nationalism. Firstly, the influence of education that the Korean nationals obtained cannot be underestimated in the beginning of the sort of revolution that was to occur. Secondly, foreign influence can be pointed out as a direct influence in the manner in which the revolution started in Korea. Thirdly, the combination of these factors in the shaping of the Korean mentality about their independence can be explored as an important synergism perspective. Apparently, the Korean movement and revolution began with the exiled elite who endeared to have the whole of the Korean population throw its weight behind their independence quest. In Robinson (48), the author observes that the exiled group of nationalists set their differences aside from 1919. With the inception of the Shanghai Provisional Government, it became increasingly possible to have a platform to incorporate and involve the exiled community for a meaningful development. A government for the Koreans was set up but was to operate from exile, according to the author. From these developments highlighted by the author, it is evident that the influence of the discourse was strongly emanating from the outside of the country. Just as earlier observed, the Korean people abroad who largely consisted of students and young patriots would make invaluable contributions to their independence. Korea’s Divergent Nationalist Paths According to Choi (680), the Korean intellectual input into the political developments of the country is a matter worth to mention in ever sociopolitical debate. Even though the ideological differences held long before independence came to catch up with the realization of independence from Japan, they did not affect the common resolve to be independent. However, the author notes that the standoff between reformists and radical nationalists can be identified as the cause of socialism in Korea. While the exiled Korean community lost direction and ambition of forging a common interest, their activism still remained but on a divided front. By virtue of a mass home return by the exile community, this common interest was somehow regained from between the 1910-25 period. An up-surge of organizations in this period could have stirred the beginning of the two major battles that the Koreans would fight in their political development. Ideological differences mentioned by Choi (680) can be used to demonstrate the impact of political origin in the economic establishment of Korea, which is a departure from their colonial master’s economic regime. It can be understood that the departure of the economic ideology and regime from the colonial system must have had stronger external force. One of such forces, according to Robinson (49) would emanate from the Soviet underground maneuvers of the political scene in Korea. The growth of the press is perhaps a platform on which the ideological positions found ground in Korea. Vernacular press was particularly instrumental in the dissemination of the two factions chanting different ideologies. Along ideological lines, proponents of moderate nationalism advocated for a smooth development and transition from the Japanese regime while proponents of the radical wing or ideology advocated for the violent overthrowing of the colonial regime. Articles appearing in the press attracted debate where these ideological positions got strengthened. According to Robinson (68), one of the major contributors of the articles was Yi Kwangsu who held the moderate ideology in Minjok kaejoron/ Kaejoron. This activist approached his discourse with a moderate theme where the Korean society needed to transform and acquire a different mindset if their common vision was to be successful. Yi held the opinion that the first stage into a good transition from the colonial rule was to train their leaders and prepare them for the onerous task ahead of them. This was different from the opposing ideologists who held the opinion that radicalism would define their destiny. Consequently, debate that ensued from the ideological positions facilitated the rise of a culture of nationalism that adequately prepared the Korean people for independence. Cultural nationalism preached education as empowerment that the Korean populace needed to jumpstart their independence. This was contrary to the schools of thought propagated by their counterparts who interpreted the masses as a source of instant power that could be mobilized to achieve political unity. In this difference of positions, it can be pointed out that reconciling the ideologies could be difficult since the cultural nationalists approach could only be interpreted as a lengthy process where immediate political gains were remote. Radicalism could have won the hearts of many Koreans who wanted immediate action against their political hardships under the Japanese regime. In addition, cultural nationalism could be translated as a form of acceptance of colonial domination for the duration of time that the lengthy process could be undertaken (Robinson, 76). Ideologies in Post 1945 Political Development In post 1945 politics, moderate and radical ideological factions in Korean had been overshadowed by stronger ideological positions. Even though the exile nationalism factor played a central role in shaping up the new ideologies, moderatism and radicalism were faded and politics of vengeance against the repressive Japanese colonial dominance took centre stage. Vengeance politics paved in extremism which eventually led to the division of the Korean state into the North and the South states (Buzo, 62). While the effect of foreign influence formed a part of the overall economic foundation of the two states, extremism characterized their ideological strength. The North’s source of influence exhibited the Soviet model in economic and social settings depicting a communist state. On the other hand, South’s foundation was on a platform established by the Japanese depicting a capitalist economy. A taste of the traditional political regime that the colonial power exercised over Korea was therefore left in the South, while the North found an improvised regime that adopted a huge departure from the colonial regime. Antagonism between the two created states was to exist in to the 1940s, with unsuccessful calls for unification existing to this date. The Korean politics after 1945 was characterized by leaders such as Syngman Rhee who was a strong nationalist in exile during nationalism years. Despite having a rich intellectual origin, Rhee had several personality flaws that marked entry of dictatorial regime into the Korean political organization as early as 1948 (Buzo, 68). His capitalist desires and hatred for communism could have sparked differences in the political scenes Works Cited Buzo, A. The making of modern Korea. Oxon, OX: Taylor & Francis, 2007. Print. Choi, H. “Korea’s Twentieth-Century Odyssey: A Short History,” Pacific Affairs, 80.4(2007):679-681 Foster, H. & Kim, S. Song of Ariran, San Francisco, CA: Rungarts Press, 1972. Print Pai, E. Y. “The song of Ariran Revisited,” UCLA Asian American Studies Center Press, 15.2(1989):159-161 Robinson, M. E. Cultural nationalism in colonial Korea, 1920-1925. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1988. Print Read More