Hermit kingdom (Korea)

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Hermit kingdom is a label that Westerners have often applied to Korea, particularly to the Joseon dynasty and to contemporary North Korea. The claim that Korea was a hermit kingdom has increasingly been seen as erroneous in recent times. It has also been seen as a racist label for the Korean people. Some now view it in much the same way that Africans react to being labeled "the dark continent" or "darkest Africa." However, the term is still in common currency throughout Korea and is often used by Koreans themselves to describe pre-modern Korea, so the pejorative nature of the term is still easily debated.

The first documented use of "hermit" to refer to Korea is in the title of William Elliot Griffis' 1882 book, Corea: The Hermit Nation. The writer of the book had never visited Korea, did not speak the language, and had no first-hand experience with the country. He supported the invasion and occupation of Korea by Japan, and in his works often attempted to prove the superiority of Japan. The publication of The Hermit Kingdom, and its circulation, particularly in North America, led to tacit approval of Japan's incursions into Korea. It was used to justify Japanese actions by showing the Korean people as primitive, uncultured, unable to function internationally, and needing Japanese direction.

The expression quickly gained currency in Western discussions of Korea. As early as Carpenter's Geographical Reader of Asia (NY, America Book Company, 1897) reference is made to "the hermit nation" which is "largely controlled by Japan". Comments are also made that "Koreans until lately driven travellers away from their shores"; and that "the United States...opened Korea to the rest of the world".