Gari Ledyard, King Sejong Professor Emeritus of Korean Studies at Columbia University, will discuss Korea’s modern history, beginning with the signing of the Kanghwa Treaty between Japan and Korea in 1876, at The Korea Society on February 24, 2011.

This lecture series is supported by a grant from the


Thursday, February 24 @ 6:00 PM

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Ledyard will examine how the once-robust Chosŏn dynasty slowly came to an end after five centuries and the conflict over what kind of leadership would emerge as the best for the future of Korea. At the same time, China and Japan were contending with the same questions. In the course of the struggles, Korea saw more than its share of rebellions and coups, conspiracies, intrigues, and assassinations. On the other hand, millions of Koreans were adjusting to the opportunities, as various groups emerged from their previous deprived existence to seize new possibilities for education and commerce. The major Western countries opened embassies and legations in Seoul. A new Korean religion, Tonghak, and a new freedom to accept Christianity offered interesting spiritual outlooks. Newspapers sprouted, while modern infrastructures such as railroads, electricity, telephone, and telegraph, slowly became part of life in the cities and seaports. Visitors from around the world introduced themselves, and Koreans took advantage of educational opportunities abroad. This was the period that Korean historians call Kaehwa, “opening and transformation.”

This period ended with Japan’s defeat of China in 1895 and of Russia in 1905. Only Japan was left standing. In that year, it proclaimed a “Protectorate” over Korea. Over several years of ruthless appropriation of Korea’s governing institutions, army, and police, Japan took Korea’s measure, and then, in 1910, took Korea itself, establishing the “Government-General of Chōsen,” using the Japanese form of the name of the now defunct Chosŏn dynasty (1392-1910).

By the time independence was achieved again, the Cold War had, in effect, already begun, and Korea was split in two. South Korea, after passing first through the flawed administration of Syngman Rhee and then the long years of authoritarian rule under Park Chunghee and Chun Doohwan (1962-1987), finally emerged with a dynamic and successful economy, and, in a relatively short time, a stable and effective democracy. Its advanced standing in today’s world is now universally acknowledged. Given the modern history that Korea has gone through, and in spite of the continuing and tragic division of the Korean homeland, South Korea’s achievement is all the more impressive. 

All lectures will be held at

The Korea Society
Samsung Center for Cultural Exchange
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10022

All lectures will be in English, except for the final lecture, which will be delivered in Korean (English interpretation will be provided).

Each of the first five courses will be two hours long, with a ninety-minute lecture and thirty-minute Q&A period. The hour-long final lecture with thirty-minute Q&A on March 17 will be followed by a short end-of-series program.

Members, $20 per lecture. Non-members, $30 per lecture. Enroll in all six lectures, and pay only $100 (members) and $125 (non-members—one-year membership included). Student discount available ($5 per lecture).