Korea's cartographic legacy

 

Maps have been essential tools in human history, aiding travel and shaping our understanding of the world. They reflect geographical and cultural knowledge over time, showcasing the prevailing understanding and expertise of their creators. In Korea, mapmaking dates back to the Three Kingdoms period, serving both topographical and governance needs. Korean maps are invaluable cultural heritage, providing insights into past worldviews.

The awareness of a broader world beyond the borders of China and India began to emerge gradually over time. By the early 1400s during the early days of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, significant strides were made in cartography. One remarkable example is the creation of the "Honil gangni yeokdae gukdo jido" (Map of Integrated Lands and Regions of Historical Countries and Capitals) crafted by Korean officials Kwon Kun, Kim Sa-hyung, Lee Mu and Yi Hoe in 1402. This map, the oldest existing Korean map, is recognized as one of the best world maps among both Eastern and Western civilizations at the time. It depicted locations such as Paris in France, Rome in Italy, the African coastline and the source of the Nile River.

The map symbolizes the interconnectedness of nations, encompassing the Mongol Empire and illustrating the importance of trade routes in shaping geopolitical landscapes. It provides valuable insights into the evolving understanding of global geography and the interconnectedness of civilizations across continents. This map serves as an enduring testament to human curiosity, exploration and the quest for knowledge about the world we inhabit. It blends Chinese, European and Middle Eastern geographical knowledge, the global perspective of the Mongol Empire and the intellectual prowess of the Korean people.

Furthermore, the map encapsulates nearly all the geographic knowledge available to humanity prior to the discovery of the New World. While the Korean Peninsula and China dominate the map, their scales differ significantly. The coastlines of Africa and India resemble modern satellite maps. European and Middle Eastern major place names are included, along with the Paros Lighthouse, a historic site in Alexandria, Egypt, dating back to around 280 B.C.

The map reflects the global perceptions of the Korean people, transcending mere adherence to Chinese theory and embracing a broader global perspective. The intriguing history of the map continues in Kyoto in 1910, with Japanese scholars initiating its study. Speculation suggests it may have arrived in Japan during the colonial period. Though the original remains undiscovered, Japan houses four copies, the oldest being the Ryukoku version, meticulously copied from the Joseon Dynasty between 1481 and 1486.

Initially found as a large footprint on silk, Korea learned of its existence in the 1960s, with Seoul National University replicating the Ryukoku version after 1980. The map gained global recognition in 1982 at the National Museum of Art in Washington, D.C., during an event commemorating the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage.

Gary Redyard, a prominent Korean studies professor at Columbia University, introduced the map, stating, "There is no map from 15th-century Europe that rivals 'Honil gangni yeokdae gukdo jido.'" U.S. media, including The New York Times, hailed it as the most comprehensive world map of its time.

This map depects humanity's geographic knowledge and the interconnectedness of civilizations. They are invaluable cultural artifact, bridging historical and contemporary geography and culture. The map’s layout may appear as a reorganization of Korea within a map centered on China. According to the preface, the map was crafted using two Chinese maps, "Shengjiao Guangbei Tu" and "Hunyi Jiangli Tu," as well as maps of Korea and Japan. We should trace the original "Honil gangni yeokdae gukdo jido" to fully appreciate its historical and cultural significance.

Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association.