Tragedy. Ancient and modern tragedy. It is the only way to describe Korean history, though of course there are many bright spots...
It's the early 1590's. After the initial invasion of Japan, through much struggle Chosun is able to beat the enemy back until they finally leave the major cities of Seoul and Pyongyang. But the worst is yet to come. A famine envelops the land. Children are found sucking milk from a dead mother. Vomit is fought over for sustenance. Men kill other humans to eat them. A typhus epidemic ensues, and many more are consumed.
Meanwhile the Japanese are forced south and trapped. But there is no pursuit by otherwise occupied Koreans, so the Japanese dig in and fortify the area.
The Chinese, always conditional allies, leave, but still are present to the war for years.
In October of 1593, the king re-enters Seoul, returning to Myung-ye-gung where the author we have been following, Henry Hulbert, lived when this book was written in 1905. The people want the king to abdicate. He is totally pleasure- mad. But the crown prince, the concubine's son, is not responsible either. A leaderless land is bound to fail.
Though many higher-ups continue to toy with the idea of abdication, the Chinese object, and the King is forced to reform. These same Chinese, represented by the military leaders, want peace with Japan so that they will become vassals of China. In the end of 1593, Japan astonishingly agrees to this proposition! But the enemy is only trying to gain time. Though many are homesick, and want to leave for Japan, when it comes down to it, they stay until 1596.
In 1596 General Konishi finally does head home, with Chinese and Korean envoys. Now the king feels it is time to turn over power to the prince. But Hideoshi in Japan treats the Korean envoys poorly, and decides on a second invasion,to punish Korea for stopping his original plans. Hope springs eternal, they say.
A Japanese plant named Yosira pretends to be a friend of Korea and gives out false information. He suggests that Admiral Yi Sun Sin be sent to battle with Kato who is coming. But Yi knows it is a trap to set him aside, and he refuses to go. For this disobedience to the King's orders, his enemies have him brought to Seoul and busted. He becomes a common soldier.
In 1597, Kato & Konishi both invade. Korea makes its traditional appeal to China. China says Yes.
Admiral Yi's replacement is soon defeated and in desperation the nation turns to its imprisoned Admiral. Yi is restored. But there is a major massacre by Japan before he can get back together.
When he finally arrives on the scene, the Chosun navy is down to about a dozen ships! Japan's armada is in the hundreds. Incredibly, Yi pulls off the win of his lifetime, and perhaps the nation's history. Other Japanese that are on their way to Seoul are stopped.
I have said often that Korea should not still be on the map, as witnessed by incidents as the above. God has preserved this land for His own purposes, which even now are being worked out as people pray. Don't give up on Korea. It seems that God has not!
Next time: How the Roman Catholic Church entered Korean society.
Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com.
And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.
Guilt Feeding On Your Conscience
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