The history of Korea dates back approximately 4000 years ago (Figure 9.1).
Geographically, Korea is a neighbouring country of China. However, most
Korean people are of Mongolian trait and are different ethnologically from
the genuine Chinese race. In addition, the Korean language is Altaic and
entirely different from the Chinese language. According to Chinese historical
literature, the Korean people have been called the ‘Eastern Bowmen’ or the
‘Eastern Barbarians’ with the characteristics of the horse-riding people from
the ancient Chinese dynasties of Xia and Yin (Shang) about 2000 BC.
History
Historical records show that there has long been interaction between Korea
and China from ancient times: cultural exchanges, trade, immigration of
peoples and even many wars. This was especially true during the three-
kingdom period in Korean history, in which Kokuryo (37BC–AD668), Baekje
(18 BC–AD610) and Shilla (57BC–AD668), including the Unified Shilla
(AD668–935), occupied the north-eastern part of the current Chinese land
(Manchuria) and the Korean peninsula. The time period of the three kingdoms
of Korea corresponded with the periods from the Han dynasty (206BC–AD220)
to the Tang dynasty (AD618–907) in China. In this period, a variety of cultural
exchanges occurred. Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and much classical
literature written in the Chinese alphabet were introduced and widely accepted
during the three-kingdom period in Korea. During this time period, it was most
likely that the traditional Chinese medicine and its medical classics such as the
Huang Ti Nei Ching(theYellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine),
Shang Han Lun, andShen Nung Pen Chao Chingwere introduced and widely
practised along with acupuncture and herbal therapies. Moreover, it is obvious