Empire and Righteous Nation

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In a concise overview, Odd Arne Westad examines the cultural and political relationship between China and the Koreas over the past 600 years. Historically, Koreans viewed China as a mentor, with the first written Korean using Chinese characters, which remained in use until the twentieth century. Confucianism, particularly Neo-Confucianism, played a vital role in shaping the Korean government in the fourteenth century, fostering a fraternal dynamic where China was seen as the older brother. During the Ming Dynasty, this relationship evolved as Korea declared itself a vassal to escape threats from the Mongols. However, the friendship deteriorated in the nineteenth century as Western powers encroached, prompting Koreans to reassess their reliance on Qing China, which seemed unable to defend Korea against these external threats and the rising military power of Meiji Japan. Over the next century, imperialism, nationalism, revolution, and war transformed the Sino-Korean relationship. Westad highlights the devastating effects of the Korean War on regional international relations and explores contemporary Sino-Korean interactions, particularly regarding the complex issue of Korean reunification. This work illuminates the ties and tensions that have shaped the China-Korea relationship, providing essential insights into a critical geopolitical dynamic.