ChinaTalk

600 Years Of Sino-Korean Relations

May 16, 2021

Odd Arne Westad, a historian and author of 'Empire and Righteous Nation,' dives deep into the 600-year relationship between China and Korea. He discusses how Confucian ideals shaped governance and national identity in Korea, even blurring cultural lines with China. Westad also touches on historical events like Korea's struggles during colonization and the impact of Christianity in a Confucian society. The conversation culminates in a fascinating look at contemporary issues, such as K-drama's influence on China's decision-making regarding North Korea.

50:15

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Episode guests

Odd Arne Westad

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Exploring Ideological and Political Ties of China and Korea

2min

Understanding Righteousness and Empire in Sino-Korean Relations

2min

Korea's Confucian Aspirations and Sino-Korean Relations

16min

Crossroads of Belief: Christianity and Reform in 19th Century Korea

3min

Shifting Dynamics: Korea's Colonial Struggle

20min

Exploring 600 Years of Sino-Korean Relations

3min

Odd Arne Westad joins ChinaTalk to discuss his latest book Empire and Righteous Nation: 600 Years of China-Korea Relations. Westad’s work is a diplomat’s handbook that connects the sweeping currents of history to the geopolitics of today. Co-hosting today is Danny Crichton of Techcrunch. We explore how Korea, past and present, navigates its relationship with the powerful empires on its doorstep.

Korea’s unique Confucianism serves as a launching point into a discussion on empire and nation-state that takes us from the Joseon Dynasty’s navigation of the Ming Dynasty’s collapse all the way up to the present day (with snippets on espionage in Qing China, Korea’s own version of the Taiping Rebellion, and Japanese imperialism).

We end on K-drama’s popularity in Zhongnanhai and how the flow of South Korean pop culture into China might complicate Chinese leaders’ decision to intervene on behalf of the DPRK in a conflict on the peninsula.

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Outtro music (which really is fire this time, stick around for three Korean bangers):

Ash Island, Melody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8L2OLu6JZo

Sooljalee (술자리) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJAKYX8A_WM

NO:EL _ 00 (DOUBLE O) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sALhYkA-ij4

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