History

The Ewha Womans University Press has published an English edition of "Women in Korean History," written by Dr. Lee Bae-yong, a renowned history professor and current president of the university. The book reviews the lives of Korean women from ancient times to the 20th century through in-depth analysis of various customs and institutions related to women as well as brief biographies of women in many fields who distinguished themselves.

The history of women has largely been ignored in the official history of the Korean nation and often distorted under the predominant male-centered patriarchal viewpoints. This book brings to light the significant contributions and achievements of Korean women, which have been hidden or underestimated. From a broad humanitarian perspective, the author looks back on the dynamic and glorious paths trodden by Korean women overcoming feudalistic constraints for over 20 centuries.

This English version, illustrated with rich visual material, is intended to arouse interest in the past lives of Korean women and Korean history and culture in general at home and abroad. Through the wisdom of women from the past the book seeks to create a new history of women for the future, thereby contributing to humanity and civilization.

The book consists of three parts. Part One focuses on the life of Korean women during the Joseon period (1392-1910) in view of the Confucian social systems and institutions, including marriage, property inheritance, gender segregation and chastity. It also sheds light on the lives of queens, court ladies and shamans, among other female professionals, and how they navigated through political and social turmoil.

Part Two traces the lives of great women who left prominent footsteps in history from ancient to medieval and modern times. The brief but well-documented biographical accounts introduce a panoramic glimpse on how women achieved self-realization and contributed to society and the nation despite various restrictions. The remarkable trailblazers include Queen Seondeok and Empress Myeongseong, poet Heo Nanseolheon, painter Rha Hye-suk, pilot Park Gyeong-won and dancer Choe Seung-hui.

Part Three reviews the lives of women through historical records such as "The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" and "The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong." The palaces and the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon Dynasty, traditionally considered the arenas of men, are revisited with eyes focused on the role of women, how they carved their niches in the male-dominated political scene.