index_page Article for the 2nd World Congress of Korean Studies

A Paper for the 2nd World Congress of Korean Studies, Pyongyang, August 3-7, 2004

 

 

Nature of Asian Nationalism in the 21st Century: A Comparative Analysis of the Korean Peninsula and the Indian Sub-continent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

Mortuza Khaled

Department of History

University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

 

 

&

Senior Research Fellow

The Academy of Korean Studies

Seoul, Republic of Korea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature of Asian Nationalism in the 21st Century: A Comparative Analysis of the Korean Peninsula and the Indian Sub-continent

 

Mortuza Khaled

 

The most significant emotional factor in public life today is nationalism. Nationalism is a modern and European concept. In the mid fifteenth century the effect of European renaissance caused the split of the Holy Roman Empire which formed the basis of nationalism. The first full manifestation of modern nationalism took place in the16th century England when king Henry VIII breached his country�s relations with the Pope. Within a short time, Ferdinand and Isabella established independent Spain. Louis the XIV established independent France in 1609. Netherlands became a nation-state, and lastly, in 1871 Italy & Germany came forward as nation-states. Nationalism is new but the sentiment of nationality is not new (Hayes, 1954, p. 61). It was not until the end of fourteenth century that nationalism began to be a universally recognized sentiment molding public and private life. It is the sole determining factor of modern history. However, nationalism came to prominence visible in Asia and Africa after the First World War. This article aims at analyzing the nature and contemporary trend as well as future of Asian nationalism in two Asian regions, the Korean peninsula and the Indian subcontinent.

Nature of Nationalism in Indian Subcontinent

Currently, Indian subcontinent is divided into three countries- India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. If we look in the past history of this region, it would appear that this region had been unified for several times and dominated by different powers (Basham, 14). The Mauryan King Chandra Gupta Maurya was the first to unify India followed by Asoka during the 3rd century B.C. India was again united by the Gupta kings in 3rd century A.D. Samudra Gupta was the owner of a vast empire. During the time of Mughal rule, India was yet again unified and Mughal rulers built a great empire. This unification was materialized by force and public opinion or sentiment of the people was never count upon. Lastly, the British had established their suzerainty over the declining Mughal Empire. During this time, India was once again divided into many parts and each part was fighting against another. There was no nationalistic sentiment visible among the Indians in the late 17th century. The Indians revolted against the British in 1857. Some historians of India identified it as the first Indian War of Independence (Adas, 16). Whatever it may be called, in reality it was a combined protest of Indians against British rule. Indians from different sections of the society participated in this struggle.

����������������� At the end of 18th century the British Government provided token political rights to Indians. In 1885, the first political party of India, the Indian National Congress, was formed. British bureaucrat Allan Octavian Hume took initiative for the formation of this party (Roberts, 153). The main goal in forming this organization was to know about the attitude of the Indian people that it may act as a safety under to the British Empire. The British were very much afraid of in 1857-type revolt in India (Percival:152). The formation of Indian National Association, a revolutionary organization established by Indians themselves under the leadership of Surendra Nath Banerjee in Bengal one year earlier alarmed the British. It promoted them to create Indian National Congress with a view to undermining the influence of the Indian National Association. Seventy-three Indian delegates met in Bombay in 1885 and founded the Indian National Congress. They were mostly members of the upwardly mobile and successful Western-educated provincial elites, engaged in professions such as law, teaching, and journalism (Sarkar, 123). They had acquired political experience from regional competition in the professions and from their aspirations in securing nomination to various positions in legislative councils, universities, and special commissions. At its inception, the Congress had no well-defined ideology and commanded few of the resources essential to a political organization. It functioned more as a debating society that met annually to express its loyalty to the Raj and passed numerous resolutions on less controversial issues such as civil rights or opportunities in government, especially the civil service (Ghose, 77). In its first forty years The Indian National Congress pursued the policy of providing advantages to the upper class Indians. During this time communalism had spread throughout the subcontinent. As a result, the upper class Muslims formed another political organization, the all Indian Muslim League. Both parties tried their best to preserve their own community interests, the Indian National Congress mainly of Hindus and the Muslim League of the Muslims. In the late 1920s, the two political factions in India became rival of each other.

In the 1920s, another political party, the Communist Party, emerged in India. In the 1920s and 1930s the communist party cooperated with the National Congress. In the 1940s, when British rule was about to come to an end, there was no common nationalist agenda amongst the Indian political parties, although every party demanded independence from its own point of view.

In 1940 the League passed what came to be known as the Pakistan Resolution, which demanded separate states in the Muslim-majority areas of India (in the northwest, centered on Punjab, and in the east, centered on Bengal) and independence. Majority of the Muslims supported the Muslim League in its demand, while Hindus (and some Muslims) supported the Congress, which opposed partition of British India. On the other hand, the National Congress stood for a one-nation theory (Dixit, 56). The third political party, the Communist Party explained the Indian Nationalism in the light of Stalin�s Marxism and the National Question and Lenin�s socialist lines. They explained that India was a state of seventeen nations. Each nation of India had right to sovereignty and self-determination (Chandra,127). Therefore, before independence India�s question of nationalism remained unsolved. The British Government divided the Indian subcontinent into two parts according to the demands of Muslim League. Hindu dominated India and Muslim majority Pakistan emerged in the middle of 20th century.

The Emergences of Korean Nationalism

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In comparison to India, the scenario was quite different in the Korean Peninsula. At the end of the Second World War two states come into being on the basis of the surrender of Japanese soldiers in Korea. The Republic of Korea and the Democratic People�s Republic of Korea emerged as two states in the southern and northern parts of the peninsula. But the history of Korean Nationalism was quite old. It is inherent with the developments of Korea�s past history. In spite of the emergence of two states, the Korean peninsula has a long history as a unified nation. Indeed, the distinct Korean national identity arose as early as the eighth century A.D. There mere great national accomplishments during the reigns of Silla and Kory dynasties. However, time to time, there mere some interruptions. The main blow to the programme of national construction came from foreign invasions of Kitham, Yajin and Mongols. The foreign invasions ravaged the country thoroughly. But at the same time, they strengthened the national spirit of the Korean people (Agarwal,5). This spirit formed its manifestation during the later period of Yi dynasty rule.

������� General Yi Song-gue had founded the Yi dynasty by overthrowing the Koryo dynasty in 1392. The Yi dynasty pledged its loyalty to China as its vassal state which lasted till 1894 (Vinacke: 124). Immediately after the establishment of his rule over Korea, Yi Song-gue named his dynasty Choson after the most ancient Korean kingdom. He moved the capital to Seoul. In order to establish his regime on a firm basis, Yi sought the approval of the Ming Court of China for his actions that he was given. There he seeked the legitimacy of his own dynasty (Clyde:73). Responding to his appeal, Ming China assumed the suzerainty over Korea and the Yi dynasty pledged its loyalty to China. China granted permission to Yi king to use Chinese monarchical titles such as Cho or Chong. So far Buddhism was the state religion of Koryo dynasty. The Yi ruler however had changed it and adopted Confucianism as their state creed (Fairbank:74) . With the establishment of the lord-vassal relationship with China and the adoption of Neo-Confucianism as its state creed, the Yi dynasty brought about a thorough Confucianization of Korea's politics and political structure, social thoughts and institutions, as well as its economic, intellectual, and cultural patterns (Han, 198). Consequently, Korea became more Confucian than Confucian China (Nahm1988: 173). Chinese influence permeated into every aspect of life of the Korean nation.

During the Yi period a new bureaucratic class emerged. These were the literati, educated and knowledgeable men who also were adept in the administration of the affairs of government. These scholar-bureaucrats strove for political advancement via the examination system on the basis of demonstrated achievements. Literati also emerged from among the clerical force in the central government and from the ranks of the petty functionaries in the local administrations. The literati of this latter origin were small and middle-level landowners who possessed small-scale agricultural estates in their home localities. Yi Song-gue carried out a sweeping land reform policy. The main goal of this policy was to oust the old landlord. The new literati class took advantage of the favors form the new administration and they became the ardent supporters of the regime (Cornelisu: 168). This new literati scholar class was called yangban. This scholar-gentry yangban class dominated Korean society during the Yi period. In fact, they were the dominant social class. Its members controlled politics, sustained social morality and ethics, and nurtured what became known as yangban culture. The newly founded Yi dynasty pursued anti-Buddhist policy and destroyed the power and influence of the Buddhist monks (Wang, 358). Buddhist properties were confiscated and Buddhist monks were expelled from the capital. Properties of Buddhist religious establishments were distributed amongst the yangban. This new class had extended its overwhelming support toward the government of the Yi dynasty and cooperated to put them into practice. The Yi kings greatly emphasized in the discipline enunciated in the doctrines of the Confucian school of rites. They prescribed in minute detail the court procedures, ceremonies, customs, language, music and the principles governing human relations. Even the slightest deviation from the established patterns was severely criticized. It made the life style rigid and intellectualism inflexible. During this period, Confucian studies were greatly encouraged by such means as the rebuilding of the National Academy and of the National Shrine to Confucius, as well as by the ample endowment of a foundation for the support of students. The yangban class during this time did not find fulfillment either in Buddhism or in traditional Confucianism. Now they made Neo-Confucianism their spiritual mainstay and Neo-Confucian literati began to dominate the society (Yoon :556).

����������������� Let us talk about a few words about Neo-Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism is a philosophical form of Confucianism that explains the origins of man and the universe in metaphysical terms. At the same time, the political ethic that it expounds lays stress on the mutual relationship of ruler and the subject. It is an intolerant doctrine which rejects all other teachings.

����������������� At the end of fifteenth century, the growth of Neo-Confucianism not only increased the study itself, but also the study of Chinese culture in general. As a result, Chinese cultural influence grew stronger. It lead to the development of the upper-class culture of the Koreans. At the same time, a social structure and behaviorism patterned after Confucian principles developed. It transformed Korean society similar to that of China. In the early 15th century, Neo-Confucian �Literati� groups were aware about the increasing Chinese influence on Korea and they attempted to keep separate identity for the Koreans. Stabilization of the country had given scholars more freedom from the duties of government and more time for study (Solberg, 90) The �Literati� were patronized by the Korean king among the achievements of this culture were the creation of the Korean writing system, the growth of Korean poetry, scientific and technical innovations.

Korean Writing System: At the beginning of civilizations in East Asia the Koreans had no writing system of their own. They used Chinese characters to express their thoughts in the idu system that was instituted during the Shilla period. Scholarly works were written in pure Chinese as all government documents were compiled in the Chinese language. Afterwards, awareness grew among Neo-Confucian Literati class. They realized that they must have a writing system of their own. The king was also concerned for the invention of a new scientific writing system which may be learned by his subjects easily. Under Choson kingSejong 's patronizing initiative the scholars devoted themselves to the development of an indigenous writing system of Korea.

King Sejong commissioned famous Neo-Confucian scholar Song Sam-mum and Chong In-ji of the Academy of Scholars to create an indigenous writing system for the Korean language. In 1443 they presented to the king a phonetic writing system. The king officially adopted it, and promulgated it with a royal edict in 1446. The new system was called Hunmin chong-um. The Korean script is commonly called han-gul. This simple but scientific system of writing style consisted of eleven vowels, fourteen consonants, eleven double vowels and thirteen double consonants. The writing system adopted the Chinese style of writing, that is to say, their writing begins from the upper right-hand corner and is read down vertically. The new writing system enabled the Koreans to transcribe their spoken words into writing. The writing system became increasingly important as medium of communication for the commoners. It gradually increased nationalistic feeling among the Koreans (Choo Young-ha:36).

Development of Korean Literature: Neo-Confucian Literati also endeavored to develop Korean literature. Soon after the invention of alphabet, Sejong established the Office for Publication in Han'gul and had it bring out a number of major works. While many scholars composed Chinese-style poems known in Korean as Hanshi, an increasing number of Neo-Confucian Literati wrote two four-syllable semantic units of Korean which were was known as kasa and shijo. These two styles are distinctive Korean poetic forms which developed toward the end of the Koryo period. Neo-Confucian �Literati� popularized it. Among the kasa writers was Chong Chol (1536-1593) who composed such song as Song of the Eastern Scenes. All Chinese-style poems were written in Chinese characters. In mid-Choson period, the lyrical form of kasa was widely composed. Although written in Chinese as a kind of prose-poetry, in its form the kasa exhibited characteristics of typical Korean lyric verse. Through the kasa, the Neo-Confucian literati were able to express vividly their attachment to the beauties of nature which constituted a part of their life (Carter J. Eckert: 153) . During this time another type of Korean poetry known as shijo was developed. All shijo were written in Korean after the promulgation of the han-gul. The shijo or "occasional verses" became increasingly popular as a medium for expressing the sentiments of the people. Mostly the yangban people including many women composed the shijo. This literary development helped the growth of Korea�s own culture and become an element of nationalism.

 

Development of Science and Technology: During this period under the encouragement and active patronage of the Yi kings, Neo-Confucian Literati class developed considerably in the fields of science and technology. Worthy of mention first of all is the agricultural manual called Straight Talk on Farming (Nongsa chiksol), compiled under Sejong in 1430. This manual was designed to meet the specific conditions of Korean agriculture, on the premise that the climate and soil of Korea are different from those of China and so make it problematical to apply unmodifiedpractices of Chinese agriculture. Sejong first had each provincial jurisdiction survey and report the methods used by the older and experienced farmers in its area and then put together this handbook on ways of storing seed, improving fertility, transplanting rice seedlings, and the like (Ki-baik:195).

����������������� With the decline of Buddhism and the rise of Neo-Confucianism, new forms replaced the ancient forms of porcelain ware, which had been popularized by a Buddhist-oriented elite of Koryo. It happened in response to a growing demand of the court and the yangban class. Among them were water droppers, brush holders, trays, and vases. More widely used porcelain ware was a heavy, unpretentious punch'ong,or"power green" ware, such as variously shaped and sized bottles and jars with either over-glaze or under-glaze decorations. All these became important items in trade with Japan. Increasing amounts of brown-glazed ware of all sizes were produced as the potter's wheel was widely used (Nahm:104).

 

New Arts--rise of the Genre Painters: The Neo-Confucian Literati during the Yi dynasty viewed art as was what artisans produced. If they were to take an interest in such pursuits it would be merely as a pastime, or avocation. The loosening of the intellectual climate and the changing social environment, coupled with the growing interest in nativism and the search for realities, encouraged Korean artists to create new literature and arts (Che-won Kim:174). As a result, a new Korean genre painting originated. More colors and humorously depicting manners and customs of the yangban gentlemen are the main characteristic of genre painting of this period. (Lee, Ki-Baik:197). These artists gave expression to styles of their own. The popularity of human likenesses, for its part, was owing to the need felt by yangban for portraits to celebrate their rise to eminence in society. Portraits were valued not merely as lifelike representations but as animated portrayals of the inner spirit of their subjects. Thus the Neo-Confucian painters displayed exceptional creative and artistic qualities in their work, which led to the eventual evolution of a Korean indigenous art. Their nativism and their reproduction of the realities of life in their paintings contributed much to the development of Korean national culture.

 

The Writing of Histories: During this period a more active interest in the compilation of historical works took place. The Neo-Confucian Literati worked for strengthening their sense of identity as a distinct race and gave force to the concept of their descent from a common ancestor (Ki-baik:166). Secondly, these works present reminiscences of earlier ages in a manner clearly evidencing the deep respect which the authors felt for the traditions and legacy of their past history. Many historical materials which were neglected earlier now came to be utilized. The history of the past was viewed as a mirror, or exemplar for government in the present. The tradition of preparing a history of each reign began in 1413 with the compilation of the Annals of the King T'aejo and continued thereafter to the dynasty. At almost the same time another work, Essentials of Koryo History, was compiled in strict chronological format.In 1485 Korea's first overall history the Comprehensive Mirror of the Eastern Kingdom was published which treated the entire Korean history from the mythical Tan'gun through the Koryo period. In this way Neo-Confucian Literati worked for building the national identity and culture through their Historical literature. (Eckert:125).

 

The Development of Folk Culture: The Neo-Confucian Literate class had created a nationalist feeling in every sphere of life. The common people now were aware of their cultural heritage and separate identity from the Chinese. Their modes of life had led to the rise of a new and significant Korean culture. During this time hunger of common people for cultural outlets to express their emotions and relieve their anxieties, may have contributed to the rise of a new folk culture. It included literature, painting, music and dance. The snobbish people, who worshipped things Chinese, looked down upon the new culture promoted by the common folk (Nahm : 135). Many members of the yangban class who had formal education in Chinese studies nurtured the folk culture. Their desire to escape from inflexible conventions and to express themselves individuality, as well as their desire to flee from their daily life, may have led them to engage in cultural revolt (Nahm : 135). The development of folk painting is another significant aspect of the ever-growing folk culture in the middle and late Yi period. The majority of folk painters were of lower strata of society whose works were regarded as artistically inferior (Yi: 578) New commercial artists capitalized on the increasing popularity of folk paintings. In their paintings, Korean folk artists amply demonstrated sensitivity, popular beliefs, honesty, and truthfulness. The folk beliefs, sense of humor and satire, simplicity, the search for the realities and the meaning of being, and the relationship between������ nature and the animal world, as well as between one creature and another, are clearly reflected in systematic ways and in remarkably effective economized details. The folk painting became unique aspects of painting that is a valuable cultural heritage of the Korean civilization (Ha Tae-hung:92). In this way, the Korean nationalism took shape as during the period of 15th and 16th century. Thus newly emerging Literate class played a vital role in the creation of separate national identity.

Second Phase of Korean Nationalism

The Second phase of the development of Korean nationalism had begun in the early part of the 20th century while Korea was occupied and turned into a Japanese colony. During this period the Japanese colonial government in Korea undertook black measures in order to destroy the cultural and ethnic identity of the Koreans. They issued education ordinance in 1911 in which it was stated that the purpose of education in Korea was to produce �loyal and obedient� and useful subjects of the Japanese emperor (Nahm,252). The Japanese tried to concentrate upon only elementary education and to discourage �unnecessary� higher education (Myers,294).

The study of Japanese language was made compulsory at all approved schools. The Japanese authorities banned instruction in Korean history and geography. All textbooks, which were previously used in Korean schools were confiscated and only those approved by the government were allowed. The Japanese colonial government didn�t make the slightest concessions in the political area in accordance with the demands of Korean nationalists. Instead it followed a ruthless policy of persecution of the nationalists. Under Japanese colonialism, the Korean economy was considered a part of the Japanese and an object of exploitation especially for rice, human and natural resources. The Japanese administrative policy in Korea was often inhumane, brutal and despotic in nature. The Japanese conducted destructive activities in Korea and destroyed the military, political and economic systems of Korea which in an inhumane manner. The Japanese systematically conducted different repressive measures on the Koreans and oppressed them.

The Japanese intended to transform Korea into one of their provinces. They declared Korea a province of Japan and changed its name Chosen. The main thrust of the Japanese policy in Korea was economic and cultural assimilation of the country with the ultimate aim to make it an integral part of the Japanese empire (Agrawal, 101). Thousands of Japanese farmers were brought to Korea, and they received free lands or bought farmland at a low price. Japan�s economic policy was to make Korea an agricultural colony which would produce more food grains and raw materials for Japan (Nahm,1987, 94).

Although Japan tried to eliminate Korean national consciousness through her military, political, economic and cultural policy, the Korean people never forgot that they had in existence strong independent and rich national culture for long. Korean nationalistic movement spread out seriously while President Woodrow Wilson declared self-determination proposal in Versailles in1919. Mass movements swept the whole of Korea. Day by day nationwide demonstrations and mass protests increased gradually. Though the Japanese put down these protests fiercely, it raised the nationalistic feelings among the Koreans. The sufferings of the Korean masses strengthened their spirit of resistance to the alien rule. Moreover, modern education, socio-economic changes, and contact with the western ideas and institutions of democracy, national sovereignty, civil rights, etc. resulted in the political awakening of the Korean masses (Agrawal, p. 104)

During the period of 1920s, various nationalist and communist groups emerged in Korea. In spite of their differences in opinions all, worked to eliminate the Japanese oppressive rule. The Korean nationalists carried on anti-Japan independence struggles in Korea, Manchuria, China and Russia. They formed �governments in exile� in 1919,which had its armies, secret terrorists groups who fought the Japanese and Korean traitors. During this period nationalist movement not only began at home but also in abroad. The overseas Koreans in China, Manchuria, Siberia, the United States and even in Japan adopted various programs which promoted their nationalist movements (Nahm 1993, 201). The Korean nationalists of this period may be divided into the following:

Pro-Soviet Communists led by Gen. Lee Tong Whi (later by Kim Il Sung)

Pro-Mao Communists led by Kim Tu Bong (the subject of an American book � The Song of Arirang),

�Anti-foreign� nationalists led by Kim Ku, and

Pro-American nationalists led by Rhee Syngman and Philip Ahn.

There were also other factions. They spent more time fighting among themselves than with the Japanese (Lee Wha Rang). During this time the entire Korean nation wanted to oust Japanese rule and make Korea independent.

Japan�s defeat in World War II had brought the cherished liberation of the peninsula. It had also created a geopolitical vacuum in Northeast Asia that neither of the two great powers of postwar era, the United Stated and the Soviet Union was willing to relinquish to the other, or to the Koreans themselves (Carter J Eckert, 327). Within less than five years, the interactions of these forces, internal as well as external, led to national division and a devastating civil war. In the colonial period, Japan had shattered the foundation of Korean agrarian society. After World War II it was a maelstrom of old and new classes, political groups, and ideologies. During this period Korean society was dotted with an assortment of capitalists and white-collar professionals. The major powersalso played a vital role in the division of the country. Despite the existence of a strong nationalist sentiment among all classes of Koreans, the country was divided. At the same time, politicization of Korean society and rise of communism also contributed to the situation. Till now, all initiatives taken for reunification of Korea have failed. Now we turn again to the condition of Indian nationalism.

 

Nationalism in Indian Subcontinent at the Second half of 20th century

As mentioned earlier, question of nationalism remained unresolved in the subcontinent. In June 1947 Congress and the Muslim League leaders agreed to a partition scheme of the country along religious lines, with predominantly Hindu areas allocated to India and Muslim areas to Pakistan. They agreed to a partition of the Muslim-majority provinces of Punjab and Bengal as well. Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh refugees numbering in millions streamed across the newly drawn borders (Raychoudhary,148). In Punjab, where the Sikh community was cut in half, a period of terrible bloodshed followed. In Bengal, where Gandhi became what Lord Mountbatten called a �one-man boundary force,� the violence was insignificant in comparison to Punjab. On India�s independence day, August 15, 1947, Gandhi was in Calcutta rather than Delhi, mourning the division of the country rather than celebrating the self-rule for which he had fought.

In this way, after two hundred years of British rule, there emerged two independent states i.e., India and Pakistan The Indian Union is administratively one and a large nation, but ethnically it is a collection of many diverse nationalities. The British brought forcefully together several disparate and historically separate ethnic nations into one political state. Many of these ethnic nationalities have factions desiring independence. Therefore, in so many parts of India there emerged separatist movement especially in eastern states such as Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and also in Tripura. In Assam The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militant wing of Assamese are fighting for secessionism. It has several bases in Bhutan and in Assam. It battles against the Indian Army. In the south, especially in Tamil Nadu and in the northwest Punjab and Kashmir separatist movements and struggles are going on. Most of the separatists tried to solve their problems through the help of major power�s but they do not get enough support from them. The Indian government and forces always carry out propaganda for the national harmony and unity. Usually Hindi speaking belt dominate the Indian national politics. In the western part, Muslim separatists of Kashmir are carrying out separatist movement since a long time. (For detail information about the Indian separatists group see, http://www.cromwell-intl.com/security/nu/ipk.html)

The rebel separatist groups killed two Indian Prime Ministers, Mrs IndiraGandhi andRajiv Gandhi. In June 1984, Mrs Indira Gandhi ordered the army to fight its way into the main shrine of the Sikh religion, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where Sikh terrorists had established their headquarters. About 1,000 people, including the main terrorist leaders, died in the battle. All the buildings of the complex, with the exception of the central shrine, were badly damaged. Sikhs everywhere were outraged at the desecration. On October 31, 1984, Sikh members of her security guard killed Indira Gandhi. Later on Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 by Tamil terrorists.

 

Pakistan, another country of the Indian subcontinent, emerged mainly on the basis of Muslim nationalism. Within a short time, nationalist movement took place in Pakistan�s eastern province i.e, East Pakistan. East Pakistani people thought that Pakistani rulers were trying to destroy their culture and separate identity and behaved like a colonial power. Gradually, in East Pakistan, nationalist movement became stronger and finally in 1971, it was separated from Pakistan. The emergence of East Pakistan proved that religion was not a determining element of nationalism. Moreover, the growth of Shia militancy led to the establishment of groups such as Tehrik-e-Jafria, they received help from Iran where the Islamic revolution earlier in 1979. It has boosted Shia insurgency in Pakistan. There are also conflicts taking places between Mahijar�the migrated Muslim and local Muslims which hinder the concept of Pakistani nationalism. In Pakistan the two decades of violence conflicts between Sunni and Shia extremists manifest the irreverence�s of religion as a basis of nationalism.

Korean Nationalism in the Late 20th Century

An armistice ended the Korean War on July 27, 1953. It was a temporary armistice. It was decided that after three months, a political conference should be held to settle the peaceful settlement of Korean question. Later on, the Geneva Conference met and called for armistice accord in April 1954. It declared that free elections should be held for establishing a unified Korea. But the South Korean President Rhee had been reluctant to accept the truce and expressed his wish to resume war to unify Korea. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution in November 1955 that the armistice should be continued. Thus the question of unified Korea was postponed sine die. The Korean War forced the Korean people, long conscious of their ethnic unity, painfully to face the tragic reality that their nation has been partitioned and their hope for eventual reunification had become still more remote (Ki-bail Lee, p.224).

In the meantime, different political systems were introduced in both Koreas. In North Korea the communist government indoctrinated people that their first duty was to serve the state, and their primary purpose in life was to �Liberate the southern half of the Republic� which means the incorporation of the south with the north (Nahm, 1993, 122).Yet the reunification issue has been the dominant issue for both Koreas. From President Syngman Rhee, the first President of Republic in 1948 down to President Kim Dan Jung at the turn of the century, initiatives have been undertaken for a peaceful unification of Korea (Jipyong J.Kim, 84).

In spite of the hostile political situation, Pyongyang and Seoul agreed in principle for reunification in 1972. Both countries agreed that unification should be achieved peacefully and without foreign interference. For the next twenty years, however, they continued to differ substantially on the practical methods of attaining reunification. Thus the goal of unification of the Korean peninsula continues, but tactics have changed depending on the perception of opportunities and limitation implicit in shifting domestic and external situation (Savada, p.195). At the beginning of Twenty First Century Kim Dae-jung pursued Sunshine Policy emphasizing peaceful unification. But this attempt also did not materialize owing to a technical reason. Both Korea speak of reunification from their strong perception of nationalism.

Trend of Nationalism in Asia in the 21st century

Now at the beginning of 21st century, concept of Nationalism in the Indian subcontinent has become fragile day by day. In Pakistan several religious and regional groups do not try to reconcile themselves with the nationalistic character of Pakistan. They, through the use of force are trying to solve their problems. In India, more than a dozen regional separatist groups are working in a similar way. They are engaged in war with the government forces. All these groups do not get mass support or from the major powers outside the country. From the last decade of the past century, the concept of globalization has become stronger. In spite of declining nationalistic feelings, it is only for economic reasons that separatist movements have not been successful in the subcontinent.

On the otherhand, the situation in the Korean Peninsula is different. All Koreans still believe in one nationhood. Their history, culture, heritage and ancestors are common. A strong nationalistic feeling is always prevalent in whole of the Korean peninsula. Thus in spite of separation, the Koreans have strong nationalistic feelings which are absent in Indian and Pakistani peoples though both countries gained independence on the basis of nationalism. Korean people possess a strong nationalist psychology which is uncommon in the Indian subcontinent.

 

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