Korean History

Exploring Korea’s Living Heritage Sites

“To walk through Korea’s heritage sites is to walk through the living memory of a civilization that has endured for […]

“The first treasure under heaven is the blue-green color of Goryeo ceramics.” — Xu Jing, Chinese envoy to Goryeo, 1124

“To walk among Korea’s ancient stones is to feel the weight of centuries — dynasties risen and fallen, faiths kindled

“From the ashes of one kingdom, three arose — and from three, one was forged anew.” Few periods in Korean

“We herewith proclaim the independence of Korea and the liberty of the Korean people.” — Opening words of the Korean

“The stones of Korea’s past speak to those who pause long enough to listen — each temple, palace, and tomb

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” — Marcus

“A kingdom that had endured for nearly seven centuries was extinguished in a single summer campaign — yet its people

“In a single stroke, centuries of Confucian social hierarchy were declared obsolete — on paper, at least.” In the summer

“The stones remember what the living have forgotten — every wall, gate, and courtyard holds a story waiting to be

“A kingdom that can field a million soldiers and still be defeated — that is the story of Sui’s collapse

“To understand a people, walk where they walked, stand where they stood, and listen to the stones that have witnessed