The studies about the history of Korea and the history of Old Chosŏn are usually focused on the idea to prove the territorial location of Old Chosŏn and its connection to Korea. In Noh’s article, there are three main hypotheses about the possible location of Old Chosŏn. One of them supports the idea that Old Chosŏn was a Chinese state (Liaoning hypothesis), another idea was created to introduce Old Chosŏn as the Korean state (P’yŏngyang hypothesis), and the Transfer hypothesis proved the possibility of having Old Chosŏn as a part of China before 3 B.C. and as a part of Korea after 3 B.C. Each position has a number of shortages and powerful reasons for accepting the idea.
In order to prove that Old Chosŏn was a Korean state, the author addresses the archeological discoveries during different epochs. For example, the metallic artifacts found on the territory of Old Chosŏn had a number of similarities with “typical Korean-style bronze daggers” (Noh 130). In addition, the records of Shiji and Hanshu were also used as the evidence to prove that Old Chosŏn was a Korean state. According to that portion of the material, it was clear that the western boundary of Old Chosŏn was the river Ch’ŏngch’ŏn or the river Taedong (both were the rivers in North Korean). Besides, the Transfer Hypothesis mentioned by the author in the article helped to clarify that Old Chosŏn never was the Chinese state or political entity. It was the Chinese ethnic group (Noh 133). Therefore, it is possible to believe that Old Chosŏn could be a Korean state.
Works Cited
Noh, Tae-Don. “Current Issues and Problems in the Study of Old Chosŏn.” Seoul Journal of Korean Studies 1 (1988): 127-136. Print.