Did Korea Succeeded in the Three Invasions from 108 B.C. to 1231 A.D.?

Korea is strategically located among its allies and enemies, and it is a sad fate that this nation not only invaded and slaughtered was even divided in two. Two brothers believeth in truth but view these principles differently. One belongs to the other, as if in the movie Predator when it was said that: “The enemy of your enemy is also your friend”. The ROK was formed in the North and The South became a Republic (Readings). In short, despite of the peace being enjoyed by its citizenry; “factions remained because of groups being formed such as, Communist vs. Industrialist, pro-China vs.pro-Soviet, Conservatives vs. Liberals due to cold war politics and internal divisions among themselves (Readings). ”

The decline of the Han dynasty (the rule of the Chinese) started the beginnings of three rival kingdoms, the Koguryo on the northeast of China, the Paekche on the southwest, and Shilla on the Southeast (Readings). Despite unification moves was attempted in its entire history, the northern part or the Nangnang (Lolang) remained a socialist and the southern part democratic was an end result of the unification of Paekche and Shilla to which better known to the world today as Seoul.

After the Hans the Mongols came, during those invasions the Koreans suffered so greatly that they even accounted this period with the Mongols to the Japanese period the Dark Age in their history. Koreans in the long history of factions among themselves retained its culture, language, and faith. However, these are the same people who have an open mind that was able to embrace other belief like the Catholic Religion and adjusted amicably with the modern culture.

They are people who have survived so many wars, which turned its cities into devastation and poverty but were able to retain its own uniqueness despite of so many foreign invasions. The Koreans, in their own rights succeeded in their quest for their own beliefs and freedom not only because they were hard survivors but because they have been gifted with valiant men and women, from which is the offspring of a good stock their origins are made of.

The success in nation building cannot be seen overnight, it has to passed through the test of time just like forging gold from a nuggets of other metals. This could have probably happened in the history of Korea which was clearly seen during the time of Yi Dynasty until the time of King Sae Jong thru the time of General Yi to Admiral Yi, and Yu Kwan-soon (Association). However, Koreans failure may not be seen in terms of its economic position today since it is regarded as one of the four dragons of the Southeast Asian economy but for the reason that they are divided in two.

The division may be called providence probably for the reason that it is to create a balance of which some has already foreseen, that the north will be the pivotal point to which will determine the stability of East Asia and north Pacific Rim. The South however, have shown to the world that it has recovered so fast, that it became a leader on economic recovery after a decade of crises that was undergone by the rest of other Asian region. Succeeding is not just to be seen in economic statistics and armaments, but more so on how its people as a country have survived.

Though these two siblings may have separated, history or destiny may have reasons why it is so. Separately in each field both have succeeded, but only until they have ensured that another invasion would not follow and as for the moment, hoping they will no longer keep repeating their history. Since 1953, all hostilities ended (Readings). Hopefully that the ceasefire will truly be the end of all factions, and may these neighboring nations eventually learned that strength is not found in violence but on strong hearts that is willing to undergo reforms and forgiveness.