The Spirit of the Yushin in Korean Education

Abstract

rom the air, Korea appears not unlike the Swiss Alps. It is a beautiful country, coveted by invaders for centuries. Cold in winter, the warm humid summers and rich soil produce excellent crops. Fishing waters provide resources from the sea. Korean history dates back 4,000 years, but the Japanese first stormed the Korean peninsula in 1592, followed by Manchurian invaders in 1627. Western powers became interested in trade with Korea in the 1800s, and Christian missionaries opened schools in Korea in the late nineteenth century. During these years, China and Japan vied to dominate the valuable Korean land mass, but Japan won out in this power struggle through the tacit support of the British and American governments. In the late 1800s, Russia attempted to expand her influence in the Korean peninsula, which resulted in a clash with Japan. Through the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, in 1905 a peace treaty between Japan and Russia was signed, but it allowed Japan virtually free rein in Korea. The Korean people were not consulted concerning their fate, and many revolted. Between 1905 and 1945, however, Japan completely dominated Korea. The effect was felt in the educational system in Korea, as well as in all economic and political decision making. To support a war with Manchuria, Japan stripped Korea of many natural resources. Mountainsides then razed for wood by the Japanese are just now re-emerging into full fir growth from replanting efforts after World War II. During the years between 1910 and 1945, Japan undertook policies to assimilate the Korean people and to degrade Korean culture. The Korean language was banned from newspapers and books, as well as in the schools. All schools were required to conduct their education in Japanese.