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Q. Since when have Koreans worshipped Baekdu Mountain as a nationally sacred mountain? |
A.
Koreans' recognition of Baekdu Mountainas a nationally sacred mountain has stemmed from their belief that Baekdu Mountain was the stage for the Dangun legend. In Samguk Yusa, Hwanung, or Supreme Divine Regent, descended upon Mt. Taebaek and reigned over the human world. With Ungyeo (bear-woman), he bore Dangun, and the legend of Dangun is known to have occurred on Mt. Taebaek, now known as Mt. Baekdu. As belief spread among Koreans that Baekdu Mountain was the stage for the legend for the founding of Korea, Baekdu Mountain became recognized as a nationally scared mountain.
In addition, worship of Baekdu Mountain began as Baekdu Mountain became recognized as the nation’s foundation (i.e., Mt. Jojong) from the Goryeo period. According to Goryeo History, the name Baekdu Mountain first appeared at the end of the 10th century, and the region surrounding Baekdu Mountain was believed to have been a part of Goryeo. Due to the influence of the theory of divination based on topography during this time, Baekdu Mountain was purported to be the foundation of other mountains in Korea, and from which other mountain ranges flowed. Baekdu Mountain thus became a significant object of worship. Sacrificial rites for Baekdu Mountain have been practiced since the Goryeo period. While these rites were temporarily suspended during the Joseon era of King Sejong, they were reinstated from King Yongjo's reign.
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Q. What are the problems associated with China's arguments on Mt. Bekdu? |
A.
In 2005, China instituted the Mt. Jangbaek Protection and Development Committee and has focused on the development of Baekdu Mountain and its tourism industry. China has aggressively promoted the branding of the mountain name with items such as Mt. Jangbaek ginseng, Mt. Jangbaek mineral water and Mt. Jangbaek cigarettes. To attract tourists, China is currently working towards registering Baekdu Mountain as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, China has created a "culture of Mt. Jangbaek" to assert that Baekdu Mountain was China's Mt. Jangbaek in ancient times.
These assertions demonstrate China's denial of the fact that Baekdu Mountain is a common heritage that was jointly possessed by Korea and China for more than one thousand years. The name "Mt. Baekdu" appeared in Korea at the end of the 10th century and the name "Mt. Jangbaek" appeared in China at the start of the 11th century. Since then, both countries have jointly owned the Baekdu Mountain area. After the Joseon and Qing Dynasties erected a border monument on the southeast edge of Baekdu Mountain in 1712, North Korea and China entered into the 1962 PRC-North Korea Border Treaty, which stated that the Baekdu Mountain area would be utilized as an area for meetings and exchanges between the two countries until the mountain's partitioning. Thus, Baekdu Mountain acted as a boundary for the two countries. This historical fact tells us that Baekdu Mountain did not belong to a certain country, but that it was a joint heritage.
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Q. What efforts are required to establish Baekdu Mountain as a joint heritage? |
A.
Historically, although Baekdu Mountain was a common heritage that was jointly possessed by Korea and China, Baekdu Mountain became subject to conflicts of interest among countries since the end of the 19th century and became an area prone to disputes over territorial rights. To establish Baekdu Mountain as a joint heritage as well as a place of exchange and cooperation, both countries must first share an understanding that Baekdu Mountain was jointly possessed by both countries for over one thousand years. As the names Baekdu Mountain and Mt. Jangbaek appeared during similar periods, the two countries must acknowledge that Baekdu Mountain was the stage for the legend of the founding of both countries, as well as a place for sacrificial rites.
Furthermore, the two countries must work toward jointly registering Baekdu Mountain as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a jointly owned heritage, Baekdu Mountain must be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site through joint effort. Furthermore, the two countries must manage and preserve the mountain together. In 1980, North Korea and China each designated Baekdu Mountain as a UNESCO "Biosphere Reserve," which was a first step toward communicating Mt. Baekdu's joint heritage to the world. Just as Korea and China jointly registered Goguryeo remains as UNESCO Cultural Heritage, the two countries must not hold back in their cooperation and resources to jointly register Baekdu Mountain as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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