Geographically close to China, Korea is deeply immersed in Confucianism. The sole source of Korean culture was China, and Korea also served as the bridge to introduce Chinese culture to Japan. From the very beginning, Korea had imported Chinese classics, adopted Chinese characters and imitated Chinese institutions. Of the Oriental countries, Korea is supposed to be the most deeply influenced by Chinese culture.

The contact between Korea and China began early in the year 1000 B.C. when King Wu of the Chou Dynasty ruled China. In the year 108 B.C. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty conquered Northern Korea and made it a part of China for four hundred years. At the end of the 4th century, schools were established in Korea. This marked a new epoch in the development of Confucianism in Korea. At the beginning of the 6th century, Yuan Kuang ( 圓光 ), a Buddhist monk intensely educated in Confucianism, returned to Korea from China. With Confucianism in mind, he initiated “The Spirit of Flower Youths” ( 花郎魂 ) which characterized the spirit of Korea. At the beginning of the 8th century, Korean students studying in China returned to Korea with portraits of Confucius and his disciples. This marked the beginning of the Confucian memorial ceremony. From the beginning of the 10th century to the end of 14th century, Korea witnessed a period in which learning from China and imitating China were put into practice more vigorously. The civil service examination system of old China was instituted, the Chinese system of official uniforms was adopted, and schools were set up everywhere. Not only were Chinese cultural objects and social institutions imitated, but also Confucianism was treated as the norm of the citizens in daily life. From the end of the 14th century to the beginning of the 20th century, Confucian temples and schools of Chinese style were built throughout Korea, and the citizens were educated in Confucianism. As a result, great scholars came to the fore one after the other. Two eminent Confucian scholars, Li Hung ( 李滉 ) and Li Erh ( 李珥 ), distinguished themselves in the 16th century; they are scholars who studied and exalted Chu Hsi’s philosophy which is now held in high esteem in Korea.

The influence of Confucianism on Korean society can be seen from the high esteem paid to the Confucian memorial ceremony in Korea. The ceremony is held twice every year in spring and autumn, sponsored by Sung Kyun Kwan University ( 成均館大學 ), the oldest university in Korea, and with the National Korean Music Yuan ( 韓國國樂院 ) responsible for music.

In short, owing to the geographical closeness to China, the early communication between Korea and China, and the frequency of contact between the two nations, the rulers of Korea in all periods set much value on Confucianism. The influence of Confucianism on Korean society is really far-reaching.

Kung Te-Cheng, the 77th lineal descendent of Confucius.