This article aims to examine the research results of history of
Northern Peoples by a history circle including related academic societies
and organizations after 1990’s and the perception of Mongol revealed in
Korean history books, Oriental history books and treatises on the relation
between Goryo and Mongol. Furthermore, I hope that the examination
could be an opportunity for introspection and prospect to advance.
In the second half of 20th century(1945~1989), many scholars
accomplished outstanding research achievements even in unfavourable
research environment. Some works and treatises have a bias on
Northern Peoples, however, it appears unavoidable considering a lot of
barriers against research in this field at that time. Nevertheless, it can
be said that those research achievements laid the foundation for
Northern People studies and Altai Studies from then on. As a result,
The Altaic Society of Korea, The Korean Association for Central Asian
Studies, The Korean Association for Mongolian Studies were established
and played a key role in studying Northern peoples.
As related research institutes, Northeast Asian History Foundation,
National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum of Korea and National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage have also spared no
support, carrying out relevant researches. Gyeonggi Provincial Museum,
Seoul Arts Center held exhibitions on related themes and published research
books and pictorial books to help the public with understanding.
Besides, Dongguk Univ., Dankook Univ., Seoul National Univ., Pukyong
National Univ., and Keimyung Univ. are conducting researches on
history and culture of Northern and Central Asia and Silk road.
As is examined in this article, the academic circle of Korean history
has made outstanding achievements in researches on relation between
Goryo and Mongol and history of Northern peoples since last
mid-twentieth century. To take treatises and books not covered in this
article into consideration, it can be said to make the rapidest growth
in quantitative aspect in the world.
However, introspecting critically, no one could not be convinced
whether all research achievements are wholly satisfactory in qualitative
aspects. In addition, it is a current situation that integral researches on this
field are still insufficient. Finally, a lack of mutual exchange of research
finds and evolutive academic commentaries is pointed as the most serious
problem. It should be reflected and rejected for academic improvement
under the situation of thin researchers base and little accumulated
academic results in Central eurasian studies circle in Korea.