Distortion in Progress

On previous pages, we have described how the Great Wall of China has been erroneously displayed on various World History books. However, there are also other errors besides the Great Wall.

Below, other problems inherent in the maps are described according to the types of markings on the eastern end of the Great Wall (Shanhaiguan, Yalu(Amnok) River, Pyongan Province), mentioned on the previous pages. With these examples, the history of Korea, along with the Great Wall, is narrated in a distorted way. Perhaps this topic "Problems Beyond the Great Wall Issue" could cause a far more serious problem than the errors regarding the eastern end of the Great Wall.

As we have mentioned on "Why does this issue matter?", in addition to the history of each country such as Gojoseon, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, Balhae, Goryeo, and Joseon, the history of countries that did not develop into centralized countries such as Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and Samhan (Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan), Gaya that existed in Korean history are also being denied by the 'Map of the Great Wall' in the books below. Check out the situation in which Korea's identity is being threatened.

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Maps displaying Shanhaiguan as the eastern end

1️⃣ During the Tang dynasty (618 CE - 907 CE), there were Korean countries(dynasties) such as Goguryeo (37 BCE - 668 CE), Baekje (17 BCE - 660 CE), Gaya (42 CE - 562 CE), and Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE). Silla finally unified the peninsula in 676 CE. Displaying the territories of Goguryeo and the Korean peninsula as Tang’s territory is completely wrong.

1️⃣ During the Tang dynasty (618 CE - 907 CE), there were Korean countries(dynasties) such as Goguryeo (37 BCE - 668 CE), Baekje (17 BCE - 660 CE), Gaya (42 CE - 562 CE), and Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE). Silla finally unified the peninsula in 676 CE. Displaying the territories of Goguryeo and the Korean peninsula as Tang’s territory is completely wrong.

2️⃣ The map shows the boundary of 'Han Dynasty' similarly as the current boundary between South Korea and North Korea. However, there has been a long controversy in academia regarding the boundary of Han dynasty (especially the whereabouts of Luolang), whether it reached the Korean peninsula or not. Indeed, this map erroneously describes as if all the current North Korea and Manchuria belonged to Han. During the Han dynasty, there were Korean countries such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye in the northern part of Korean peninsula and Manchuria. By the way, the map only marks ‘Sea of Japan’. It should also mark the ‘East Sea’.

2️⃣ The map shows the boundary of 'Han Dynasty' similarly as the current boundary between South Korea and North Korea. However, there has been a long controversy in academia regarding the boundary of Han dynasty (especially the whereabouts of Luolang), whether it reached the Korean peninsula or not. Indeed, this map erroneously describes as if all the current North Korea and Manchuria belonged to Han. During the Han dynasty, there were Korean countries such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye in the northern part of Korean peninsula and Manchuria. By the way, the map only marks ‘Sea of Japan’. It should also mark the ‘East Sea’.

3️⃣ Refer to the description on map 1️⃣ for more information.

3️⃣ Refer to the description on map 1️⃣ for more information.

4️⃣ Mongol first invaded Goryeo in 1231. Goryeo later lost part of its territory to Mongol and was subjected to internal intervention, but it was not conquered nor did lose political independence. Also, Goryeo was not one of Khanates (of the Great Khan) nor belonged to any Khanate. Korean peninsula should not be included in the map of Mongol Empire.

4️⃣ Mongol first invaded Goryeo in 1231. Goryeo later lost part of its territory to Mongol and was subjected to internal intervention, but it was not conquered nor did lose political independence. Also, Goryeo was not one of Khanates (of the Great Khan) nor belonged to any Khanate. Korean peninsula should not be included in the map of Mongol Empire.

Maps displaying Yalu River(Amnok River) as the eastern end

5️⃣ This map erroneously describes as if most of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria belonged to Han. During the Han dynasty, there were Korean countries such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and Samhan (Mahan, Jinhan, Byeonhan) in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Goguryeo(state), Baekje, and Silla followed. By the way, the map only marks ‘Sea of Japan’. It should also mark the ‘East Sea’.

5️⃣ This map erroneously describes as if most of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria belonged to Han. During the Han dynasty, there were Korean countries such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and Samhan (Mahan, Jinhan, Byeonhan) in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Goguryeo(state), Baekje, and Silla followed. By the way, the map only marks ‘Sea of Japan’. It should also mark the ‘East Sea’.

6️⃣ The map shows the boundary of 'Han Dynasty' similarly as the current boundary between South Korea and North Korea. However, there has been a long controversy in academia regarding the boundary of Han dynasty (especially the whereabouts of Luolang), whether it reached the Korean peninsula or not. Indeed, this map erroneously describes as if all the current North Korea and Manchuria belonged to Han. During the Han dynasty, there were Korean countries such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye in the northern part of Korean peninsula and Manchuria. In A.D. 220, Goguryeo was in charge of Manchuria and the northern part of Korean peninsula.

6️⃣ The map shows the boundary of 'Han Dynasty' similarly as the current boundary between South Korea and North Korea. However, there has been a long controversy in academia regarding the boundary of Han dynasty (especially the whereabouts of Luolang), whether it reached the Korean peninsula or not. Indeed, this map erroneously describes as if all the current North Korea and Manchuria belonged to Han. During the Han dynasty, there were Korean countries such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, Dongye in the northern part of Korean peninsula and Manchuria. In A.D. 220, Goguryeo was in charge of Manchuria and the northern part of Korean peninsula.

7️⃣ Refer to the description on Map 4️⃣ for more information.

7️⃣ Refer to the description on Map 4️⃣ for more information.

8️⃣ Refer to the description on Map 4️⃣ for more information.

8️⃣ Refer to the description on Map 4️⃣ for more information.

Maps displaying Pyongan Province as the eastern end

9️⃣ Refer to the description on Map 2️⃣ & 5️⃣ for more information.

9️⃣ Refer to the description on Map 2️⃣ & 5️⃣ for more information.

🔟 Refer to the description on Map 2️⃣, 5️⃣ & 6️⃣ for more information.

🔟 Refer to the description on Map 2️⃣, 5️⃣ & 6️⃣ for more information.

<aside> 🇰🇷 This analysis is conducted by Voluntary Agency Network of Korea with documentary support by Understanding Korea Project, Center for International Affairs, the Academy of Korean Studies.

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