ABSTRACT
Koreans think of themselves as forming a distinct and separate people in East Asia. Archaeological and linguistic evidence supports this view because it links the earliest inhabitants of the Korean Peninsula to early Paleolithic migrations from central Asia (50,000–30,000 b.c.e.). The Korean language belongs to the Altaic language group, no more similar to Chinese than to English. In prehistorical and historical times, however, cultural borrowing and adaptation from China significantly shaped the subsequent development of Korean society. Situated on the Eurasian periphery with China in closest proximity, the Koreans were bound to be influenced by the older, more developed Chinese civilization. We must remember, however, that influence does not mean dominance. Over the centuries the Koreans have developed a habit of borrowing, synthesizing, and creating their own unique blend of culture that is an important part of the larger East Asian tradition we study today. Moreover, Korea’s geographic placement within East Asia made it an important cultural bridge between China and Japan during key periods.
