The Influx and Settlement of Foreigners through War in the Late Choson Dynasty and their Descendants

Lecture in Korean

Dongnaebu sunjeoldo, 1760. Provided by Republic of Korea Cultural Heritage Administration

Donggue Lee, Ph.D, Research Assistant Professor, Ajou University

Thursday, February 15, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

In his talk, Professor Lee will focus on the existence of foreigners and their descendants, who appeared as a result of the Imjin War between Choson Korea and Japan at the end of the 16th century. During the war, each country invested enormous material and human resources, greatly influencing the transition of dynasties, regimes, and kingships in East Asian countries. The war had a significant impact on demographic events such as death and movement for evacuation, and was a major cause of unprecedented large-scale population movements at the East Asian level. Ming China and Japanese troops who entered Korea to participate in the war remained in post-war Korea for reasons such as prisoners of war, surrender, and desertion. In addition, many civilians also moved from Korea to Japan or China, while Chinese and Japanese emigrated to Korea in simultaneously. Among the foreigners who settled in Choson Dynasty after the 17th century, there is a record in the household register that they formed a family and gave birth to children through marriage.

Professor Lee will utilize a study tracking the existence of foreigners and their descendants in a long-term time series, covering attempts to restore households and examining the “family strategy” and its historical implications shown in the long-term continuation and succession of their families. Furthermore, he will illustrate the relevance and historical context that can be presented to the immigration and settlement of foreigners and multicultural policy, which are major issues in today's Korean society.

 *Event is exclusive to CKS Visiting Scholars, graduate/undergraduate students, and faculty

Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies