The worse the strength, the bigger the tone?Why would South Korea, a small country, disdain China?

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-01-31

In the northeastern corner of Asia, there are two small countries, North Korea and South Korea, which are geographically close and share a common history and culture, but they have completely different attitudes towards the neighboring powers. North Korea to the north cares nothing about the United States, and South Korea to the south sneers at China. The subtle difference in mentality between these two brotherly countries is truly incredible.

From a historical point of view, North Korea's contempt for the United States is justifiedAfter all, in the Korean War in the 50s of the last century, North Korea defeated the invading American armyThe sovereignty of the country was defended. Although China played a decisive role in sending volunteers to support North Korea at that time, North Korea still gained a great sense of honor from the war. This pride in being a "little brother" is also understandable.

South Korea's disdain for China, by contrast, is rather odd. After all, it was also the Korean War in the 50s of the last century, South Korea and the United States sided with each other, but they were defeated by the Chinese volunteers. It is incredible, for a defeated country not only not to reflect on its mistakes, but to sneer at the courage of the victorious country.

There must be profound historical reasons behind the different mentalities of different countries. Next, let's look at history and culture,** Let's take a look at these contrasting mentalities between the two Koreas.

Since ancient times, the Korean Peninsula has been located between China and Japan, and has served as a bridge for the spread of Chinese culture to Japan. As part of the Chinese cultural circle,The countries of the Korean Peninsula have always had a sense of reverence for China. However, times have changed, and today's South Korea's contempt for China is indeed unexpected.

The most important reason for this is the impact of two major turning points in Korea's modern history. The first turning point was the period of Japanese colonial rule. For more than 30 years, from 1910 to 1945, Korea became a Japanese colony and lost its sovereignty.

This humiliating history has caused great trauma to the Korean national psyche. After breaking away from Japanese colonial rule,On the one hand, the South Korean elite hated Japanese aggression, but on the other hand, they also longed for Western civilization. They have shifted the direction of Korea's future development from the traditional Chinese cultural circle to the Western civilization circle.

The second turning point was the end of the Korean War when South Korea moved closer to the United States. After the defeat in the Korean War in the 50s of the 20th century, South Korea faced a great threat from the north. In order to protect itself, South Korea had to go to the United States and become an ally of the United States in Asia. Joining the U.S. military alliance system means that South Korea has officially withdrawn from China's cultural circle.

Under the patronage of the United States, South Korea has ushered in an economic take-off. The rapid economic development that began in the 1960s led to a significant increase in the standard of living of the people. South Korea has also transformed from a poor and backward agricultural country into a rich and developed industrial country. This has undoubtedly strengthened South Korea's determination to withdraw from China's cultural circle and follow the Western development model.

At the same time, New China is still in a difficult period of socialist constructionThe opening up has not yet begun, and the gap between the development levels of China and South Korea has widened. This exacerbated the South Korean elite's sense of superiority and contempt for China.

To sum up, Japanese colonization and American influence have led to South Korea's withdrawal from the Chinese cultural sphere, coupled with South Korea's economic boom and China still lagging behind, which together lead to South Korea's disdain for China today. This sense of superiority, while historically and emotionally inconsistent, is deeply rooted in the Korean national psyche.

From an economic point of view alone, China is rapidly catching up with South Korea, and this mentality may be tempered. However, from the perspective of cultural identity, the fact that South Korea has detached itself from the Chinese cultural circle will be difficult to reverse in the short term. As a result, South Korea's contempt for China will persist to a certain extent.

South Korea's contempt for China stems mainly from the differences in the development history and cultural identity of the two countries. But if we look at it from a larger historical perspective, this mentality is perhaps not surprising. Historically, the surrounding small countries often had a sense of reverence for the Central Plains DynastyThis is the result of a tributary system formed over a long period of time. However, the continuation of any tributary system must be built on the basis of the continued strong national strength of the Central Plains Dynasty.

After modern times, the original tributary system was broken by Western colonizers. China's national power has declined, and the traditional East Asian order no longer exists. In such a situation, China's influence on neighboring countries is naturally much less than before. South Korea is more feared by military deterrence from the growing Western powers than by China.

It can even be said that South Korea has been able to complete industrialization and become an economic powerhouse in just a few decadesIt is with the help of advanced capital and technology in the Westand a large number of opportunities for export to European and American markets. Without the support and enlightenment of the West, and relying only on China's help, it may be difficult for South Korea to rise rapidly.

For the South Korean elite,They attribute the merits of South Korea's modernization to Western civilization, not Chinese culture. He even believes that breaking away from the Chinese cultural circle and embracing Western civilization is the key to South Korea's progress. This has invisibly strengthened the Korean mentality of superiority over the West and contempt for the East.

To sum up, South Korea's contempt for China,It is closely related to the decline of modern China and the rise of the West. This mentality is in stark contrast to the traditional order of the Chinese cultural circle, but it is not a special phenomenon that plagues the contemporary era in the course of history, but is the inevitable result of the evolution of history.

We can't simply ask Koreans to restore history with the slogan of "not forgetting the original intention". At the root of this, it is the strengthening of China's own strengthWith practical actions, let the neighboring countries re-understand the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nationis the key to changing the mentality of other countries.

South Korea's contempt for China is a psychological deviation formed in modern times. It originates from the different development paths of China and South Korea, and is also closely related to the changes in the power structure of East Asia. We should not simply ask Koreans to change this mentality with moral standards, but should change the perception of neighboring countries through the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

China is in a critical period of national rejuvenation, which is a rare window of opportunity in modern times. We must maintain strategic focus and focus on developmentWe will continue to promote reform and opening up and enhance our comprehensive national strength.

At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen foreign exchanges, cooperate sincerely with neighboring countries, and establish China's image as a responsible major country. Only by continuing to develop and grow can we achieve a brilliant Chinese civilizationRe-establish the centrality of China in the traditional Asian order.

When China, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, once again shows its cultural self-confidence and historical bearing, the perception of China by South Korea and other neighboring countries will inevitably undergo profound changes. At that time, they will naturally re-understand the unique charm of Chinese cultureChina will also look at its neighbors more wisely.

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