UCLA

ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION

An Ancient and Glorious Past:

Koguryo in the Collective Memories of the Korean People

by

Hyung-Wook Kim

Doctor of Philosophy in East Asian Languages and Cultures

University of California, Los Angeles, 2012

Professor John B. Duncan, Chair

Scholars generally agree that nationalism first emerged in the late eighteenth century, and

that collective memories shared by members of a society contributed to the formation of modern

nationalism. It does not mean, however, that collective memories did not exist before the modern

period. In contrast to some modernist arguments, long before modern nationalism appeared in

Korea, there was distinct evidence of the existence of certain collective memories among literati.

Literati's memories of Koguryo throughout the pre-modern period and the influence of Koguryo

memories on the formation of Korean nationalism after the late nineteenth century strongly

indicate that collective memory should not be tied to the notion of modern nationalism.

It is apparent that since as early as the tenth century, Koryo literati considered Koguryo a

part of Korean history, and their recognition of Koguryo appeared in political, cultural, and

ethnic perspectives. The dynastic change from Koryo to Choson in 1392 did not cast doubt on

the literati's affirmation of Koguryo's position in Korean heritage, and elevated the status of

Confucianism in Choson, even contributing to consolidation of Koguryo memories among the

literati due to Koguryo's connection to the Kija tradition. Although memories of this ancient

kingdom were affected by the political situation of the time, especially during the early years of

the Choson-Ming relationship, Koguryo's status in Korean history was not questioned, and it still

remained historically viable after the notion of the so-called "last bastion" of Confucian

civilization emerged following the Ming's collapse.

Unquestionably, it was since the late nineteenth century when Koguryo memories were

arguably embedded in the collective memory of Koreans, as Korean nationalists ardently tried to

take advantage of Koguryo memories for their independence movements. In this period,

Koguryo memories, which had survived since the tenth century, fit well into the model of

collective memory as presented by Maurice Halbwachs. Additionally, its projection in the last

few decades, including in the relationship between North and South Korea, as well as Korea and

China regarding the ownership of Koguryo history, demonstrates how the collective memory of

Koguryo has been maintained and still operates vigorously today.