Lee Byeong-do

This is a Korean name; the family name is Yi.
Lee Byeong-do
Hangul 이병도
Hanja 李丙燾
Revised Romanization I Byeong-do
McCune–Reischauer Yi Pyŏngdo
Pen name
Hangul 두계
Hanja 斗溪
Revised Romanization Dugye
McCune–Reischauer Tugye

Lee Byeong-do (1896–1989) was a Korean historian. He is often associated with the Japanese colonial view of Korean history.

Contents

Biography

Controversy

Although he is often associated with the Japanese colonial view of Korean history, he contribute an editorial to Joseon Ilbo about the Korean history in 1986, 3 years before he died. Some people say that this editorial was the voice of his conscience.

His contribution to Joseon Ilbo says:[1]

  1. Dangun is not legend but a Korean ancestor. The sacrifice to Dangun was stopped from the Japanese colonial age. Moreover, he said that one must believe the entire ancient Korean history books before three kingdoms of Korea.
  2. The current Seonangdang is the ancient Sindansu (신단수, 神壇樹), and a heap of stones is Sindan(신단, 神壇). So, the village around the Sindan is the Sinsi (신시, 神市).
  3. Pyongyang in Samguk Sagi is different place from the current Pyongyang.

Finally he published the history book titled "Introduction to ancient Korean history", which describes that Dangun and Gojoseon are not legend, and Nangnang Nation is different from Nangnang commandery. When he published the book, his disciples said it was the senility of an old man.

Disciples

Ki-baek Lee, a disciple of Lee Byeong-do, is famous for his history book "The New History of Korea", but his books are also criticized as the extension of colonial policy of Japan. Ko Byeongik, Cha Hasun and Yi Kidong are also known as his disciples.

References

  1. ^ 1986. 10. 09. Joseon Ilbo