VOL.69/2024.04

[Korean Scholars ⑩]

Professor Kim Ho-Dong, the World-Renowned
Scholar in Central Eurasian History

A Broad and Deep Perspective Toward the World

2022.10.04

“A big fish in a small pond.” This is one of the Korean proverbs metaphorically used to refer to those with little knowledge about the world. Because we are from a certain country, a certain nationality, or a certain generation, we tend to look at the world from a narrow point of view. However, in order to enter the larger world, we must have the courage to break the wall around us. Professor Kim Ho-Dong of the Department of Asian History at Seoul National University has devoted his life to filling in the blank pages in world history by learning local languages to study the history of mysterious Central Eurasia and drawing a map of his own. Let’s follow in the footsteps of professor Kim, who became a world figure in the history of Central Eurasia, breaking down the solid wall called “generation” and “mainstream.”

Into the unknown history of Central Eurasia

Central Eurasia is a vast region, including countries such as Mongolia, China, Russia, northern India, Iran, and Turkey. Although it is a vital region connecting the civilizations of the East and the West, there was little research on it. Would there be an easier way to learn the culture and history of a country as quickly as possible than to learn the language? So, to study Central Eurasia in the local language, professor Kim Ho-Dong learned 10 languages, including Russian, Mongolian, and Turkish, as well as English. Also, as there was no complete map of the Central Eurasian region at the time he studied, professor Kim did not hesitate to master a map-developing program and drew an accurate map by himself. Such a passionate effort by Professor Kim gave him the nickname, “The Great Khan”, which best suits his authority in the area of central Eurasian history.
To break the conventional wisdom that “history is written by winners,” professor Kim continued to fill the missing parts of world history. He believed that there is no nation without painful memories, but that there is no nation that has nothing but grief in history. He explains that the flow of world history that enabled how we live today is the result of the interconnected history and culture of each country, rather than the power of a strong nation or outstanding nationalities. That’s why he had to study Central Eurasia – he wanted to take a global view of world history. From microscopic research to macroscopic vision, his studies were filled with facts that astonished the world. And, to spread the knowledge, professor Kim has been ceaselessly writing papers, publishing books, and giving various lectures.

Learn about world history through books

Professor Kim Ho-Dong, a world-renowned figure in the history of Central Eurasia, is also famous for his translations and books in the publishing sector. For example, from his first book, Revolution and Failure in Modern Central Asia (Sakyejul), to the most recent title, Along the Silk Roads in Mongol Eurasia: Generals, Merchants, and Intellectuals (Cum Libro), his books are widely loved by readers as they have good readability, albeit a little technical. Also, the book Along the Silk Roads in Mongol Eurasia: Generals, Merchants, and Intellectuals, which he wrote with other prominent scholars from the world, introduces interesting biographies of 15 generals, merchants, and intellectuals who contributed to the development of the silk roads and trades during the Mongol Empire. Its English edition was first published overseas, followed by its translation in Korea. This is also a part where we can see the global reputation of professor Kim.
Meanwhile, the Historical Atlas Series (Sakyejul), released last year, is a series that is hailed as a masterpiece by professor Kim. It presents 96 different but well-aligned themes, along with materials to help understanding, such as maps, genealogical trees, and chronological tables. Also, his travelogue From Yellow River to Tian Shan (Sakyejul) talks about Tibetan, Hui, Mongol, and Uyghurs, the four major ethnic groups that occupy half of China’s territory. Through the preface, professor Kim hoped “people have a truly generous heart that does not turn away from the many who are weak in this era,” citing the sorrows and hopes of minorities. Perhaps his sincere wish helped this book, published in 1999, to resonate in the hearts of readers worldwide.
The story of Genghis Khan, who started with a few tribes and built the world’s most powerful empire, is an interesting story that excites the hearts of history lovers. This is probably why Mongolian and Central Eurasian history has quite a firm readership in Korea, even though they are not “mainstream.” For example, The Birth of the Mongol Empire and World History (Dolbegae) and The Mongol Empire and Goryeo (SNU Press) have a profound meaning as they talk about the history of Korea, the Mongol Empire, and the surrounding countries in a fascinating way. In particular, the book The Birth of the Mongol Empire and World History stresses that the Mongol Empire is the vital key to understanding world history, as it was the first to integrate most of the countries in the Eurasian continent in history. It is recommended to those who want to understand and learn about world history from a fresh point of view.

Professor Kim, whose reputation has been recognized worldwide for his efforts to fill empty portions of history, never stops studying. He has been actively translating and publishing books to spread the history of central Eurasia. Through his books, we can vividly experience the turmoil of world history, transcending borders and time, and objectively judge the present day in which we live. As the saying goes, “the past is a mirror that reflects the present” let us reflect on our lives through the historical truth that professor Kim Ho-Dong has revealed. In that way, we might be able to come across a path that we should pursue in life in stories of the past yet to be found.

Written by Choi Ha-Yeong