Jo Mar 16, 2023
People in Koryo produced high-quality paper by carrying forward the long paper-making tradition of the Three Kingdoms (Koguryo, Paekje and Silla).
The general features of a variety of Koryo paper were whiteness, durability, smoothness, softness and freedom from fuzz and moth.
In those days, Koryo paper was widely known abroad for its excellent quality.
In particular, paekmunji (white paper for official documents), kyonji (highly durable paper) and achongji (dark blue paper) were exported to China during Koryo and feudal Joson dynasties and they were owned as necessities by aristocrats in that country.
“Korean bibliography” published in Paris, France, in 1894 gives a detailed description of the excellence of Koryo paper.
“All the paper used for Korean books, no matter which era it was from, is soft and tough, so even old books in fairly thin paper have endured for a very long time. It is demonstrated by the fact that Koryo books found in temples or European libraries are not at all tinted with yellow nor moth-eaten. It is not known when paper industry was established in Korea. However, paper must have been made in Korea from ancient times, which is strongly supported by the following facts ― nothing but paper was used for writing; books were already in wide circulation and there was a well-organized research institute in the ninth century; libraries were instituted in the next century (tenth century).
Invented by the resourcefulness and talent of our people, Koryo paper was renowned as the first on earth for its excellence.
Kim Kwang Jo, researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences
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Jo Mar 13, 2023
Sol Kyong Song (1237－1313), a doctor in Koryo, learnt medicine from his early age. When he became a doctor, he put his heart and soul into treatment and medical research.
He was well known at home and abroad as he was well versed in Koryo’s advanced clinical medicine of that time and excellent at treatment.
In 1285, he was invited to a neighbouring country to cure the king of the country from the disease that was accepted as incurable by many doctors invited there, thus showing the high standard of medical development of Koryo. After that, he was invited to the country several times more and demonstrated his excellent medical art.
Although he was in a favour with the King, Sol Kyong Song never wanted him to bestow any special benefits upon himself and what is more, he was indifferent to the living of his family. Instead, he devoted his all to treatment of patients and medical research to the last minute of his life.
Along with Ri Sang Ro, who lived in the second half of the twelfth century, Sol Kyong Song was known as one of the two great doctors of Koryo.
Sin Kwang Il, researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences
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Jo Mar 9, 2023
Koryo Songgyungwan was the supreme educational institution for training feudal government officials in Koryo.
“Songgyungwan” means “educational institution”.
In 992, Koryo feudal state established the supreme educational institution called Kukjagam. In 1298, it was renamed Songgyungam, and in 1308, it was given the name Songgyungwan. In 1356, it was given back the former name Kukjagam, and in 1362, it was named Songgyungwan again.
In those days, Songgyungwan admitted the offspring of aristocrats to teach Confucianism, and people of lower classes and commoners to teach handwriting, arithmetic, law, etc.
Years of learning depended on the subjects ― usually one to three years. Songgyungwan had competent scholars possessed of profound knowledge to give education on a number of subjects as well as tens of school buildings and welfare facilities.
Noting that Songgyungwan was the supreme educational establishment of Koryo feudal state, President
It is a great pride of the Korean nation to have the world’s oldest university with a history of 1 000 years.
Kim Son Yong, researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences
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Jo Feb 11, 2023
“Samgukyusa” (History of the Three Kingdoms), together with “Samguksagi” (Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms), is known as the oldest historical book of all existing national classical legacies.
It was written by a Buddhist monk Il Yon (1206―1289) at the end of the thirteenth century. The histories of Koryo and other ancient states in our country with the main focus on the history of the period of the Three Kingdoms (Koguryo, Paekje and Silla), and the episodes of well-known monks are recorded in the style of unofficial history.
It is in five volumes and nine parts.
At the beginning of Volume 1 is “Wangryok”, a chronological table of dynasties of the Three Kingdoms and Karakguk. The rest of Volume 1, and Volume 2 have 36 articles from every king’s ruling period of Silla and other states after Ancient Korea and 23 articles from Later Silla, Later Paekje and Karakguk.
Volume 3 to Volume 5 mainly deal with Buddhist monks who contributed to the spread of Buddhism, other celebrated monks, towers, Buddhist statues and bells erected on famous mountains and at temples.
The book also contains poems and songs including 14 pieces of old Korean folksongs (native songs pronounced in Chinese characters), tales, history of old names of places, buildings and ways of life and other valuable data in every field including literature, fine art, sculpture, language, geography, folk customs, etc.
Therefore, it reveals some historical limitations. However, for its rich and precious content that cannot be found in other historical books, it is indispensable for research into the history and culture of our country.
Kim Chol Ryong, researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences
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Jo Feb 8, 2023
Ullim Falls is situated six kilometres east of Tonghung-ri, Chonnae County, Kangwon Province, and about ten kilometres north-east of Ryongpho Revolutionary Site in Poptong County.
75 metres in height, it is one of the most famous waterfalls in our country.
The name Ullim (literally echo) Falls means that the sound of the magnificent waterfall resounds far away across the whole valley.
Around the falls rise high mountain peaks one after another, whose feet are sword-shaped cliffs.
There are several facilities such as a sightseeing road, a bridge, an outdoor eating place, a car park, etc.
The magnificent view of Ullim Falls adds ardent love for the beautiful landscape of our motherland.
Sin Kwang Il, researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences
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Jo Feb 3, 2023
The monument to Mausoleum of King Kwanggaetho is a stone monument erected in 414 by his son, King Jangsu (25th king), in praise of the meritorious deeds of King Kwanggaetho, 24th king of Koguryo (ruling period: ３9１－４１２). The mausoleum is located 6 kilometres north-east of Kungnae Walled City (Jian City, Jilin Province), the second capital of Koguryo.
The monument is made up of a body stone and a stone pedestal. On the four sides of the smoothly processed body are drawn lines vertically and horizontally where letters are inscribed clearly. Only 1 530 of the letters written vertically in 44 lines are recognizable.
The words on the monument are largely divided into three parts.
The first part covers from the legend of the founder of Koguryo to the enthronement and demise of King Kwanggaetho. The second part deals in detail with the meritorious deeds of extending the territory of Koguryo performed by King Kwanggaetho. The third part regulates the number limit of mausoleum guards and the rules they had to follow.
The monument reflects the struggle and desire of Koguryo people for the unification of the three kingdoms. It also has a lot of valuable information that is not found in documentary records of political, social and economic situations of Koguryo, class relations, and relations with Silla, Paekje and Japan, etc. of that time.
The letters are written in a peculiar font, Yeso. The majestic and vigorous font demonstrates the lively and vigorous spirit of Koguryo people.
The monument gives an account of the vastness of the territory and the might of Koguryo, the eastern power. For its magnificence (longest and biggest of all grave stones made by our ancestors) and rich content, it proves to be precious cultural inheritance of our nation and important material for historical research.
Kim Son Yong, researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences
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