Language-History-Culture of Mongolia and Korea on the Issue of Affiliation

1 Introduction

Language serves society. Social and cultural influences are reflected in the people. Culture influences language and defines language. Language and culture do not exist without people and human factors. In other words, language is the carrier of culture, while culture is the carrier of the history of the nation. Therefore, in this article, the issue of relationship between Mongolian and Korean language-culture-history is discussed.

2 The Current State of Korean Studies in Mongolia

Language is the most important tool of human communication. The problem of classifying languages according to their origins has emerged in connection with the strong development of the comparative study of languages from the perspective of history. In Mongolian linguistics, many languages of the world are classified into 18 language groups based on their origin. Altai root languages are defined by many factors such as the fact that their ancestors were monolingual and lived in the same geographical environment, and ancient Mongolian, Turkic, and Manchu-Tungus (Hamnigan) provincial languages are considered. Recent studies have included Korean and Japanese languages.

Based on the linguistic comparison method, the Altai root group is divided into languages of the same origin, taking into account the similarity of the vocabulary and grammatical structure. Scientist S. Moomoo … When we classify languages by their languages, we determine types of languages, and these types of languages are the result of different development of the same basic language. Genre languages are divided into close and distant languages. … For example, true Mongolian, Western Mongolian, Buriad Mongolian, Oird-Halimag Mongolian, Mongolian, Mongol, Dagboan, Dunshaan, and Yellow Yogor languages are close related languages, and Turkic, Manchu, Hamnigan, Korean, and Japanese languages are distant related languages. Moomoo (1996, 101).^[1]

Scientist: E. Purevjav … Researchers include five languages such as Mongolian, Manchu, Turkic, Korean and Japanese in the group of languages of Altai root. If you compare the ancient forms of these languages, there are many similar forms (roots and constructions). However, considering these languages at their current level of development, it is not easy to equate them in terms of vocabulary and vocabulary. In other words, each of these languages has its own characteristics during its development. Purevjav (1996, 48).^[2] For example: Mongolian and Korean are languages of the same root, if you compare the two languages, they should be the same, even though they have their own characteristics during their development. Therefore, scholars from both countries have done many comparative studies of Mongolian and Korean languages.

Since 1990, the researchers of our two countries have intensively cooperated in the field of linguistics, and the comparative study of Mongolian and Korean languages has been developing successfully. Dozens of scientific works in the field of Korean studies have been published in Mongolia, and many works on Mongolian studies have been published in South Korea. Most of these academic works focused on clarifying the linguistic and cultural ties between the two countries, as well as clarifying the similarities and differences. For example:

Korean scientist Sun Yi Min … Languages with this same origin are necessarily related to each other. Therefore, by studying the origins of the Korean language, it is possible to discover which root language the Korean language belongs to and which language it is related to. … Many scholars have studied the origin of the Korean language, but still have not been able to determine its origin. However, many scholars believe that the Korean language is related to the Turkic, Manchu, and Mongolian languages of Altai origin. If there was a language of the same origin, if the two languages are compared, the same aspect should appear. Min (2019, 117).^[3] He compared the interrogative pronouns in order to clarify the relationship between the two languages.

3 Historical Relations Between Mongolia and Korea/XII – Mid-XIV Centuries/

Recently, diplomatic relations between the two countries have expanded, and scientists have published many works on Mongolian-Korean relations and cooperation.

Scientific cooperation between Mongolian and Korean scientists is also expanding. Those scholars have mentioned in their many research works that Mongolia and Korea have had relations since the time of the Mongol Empire. For example: S. Chuluun, a historian … Recently, the study of monuments of the Mongolian Empire and the study of historical manuscripts have been developing with great importance in expanding and investigating the historical relations between Mongolia and Korea. It is said that in the joint research of the history and archeology of the two countries, the relationship between the two countries during the Mongol Empire period and the study of the Mongolian Empire have developed in a certain way. Chuluun (2019, 10).^[4]

If we look at what is recorded in the history of the Mongolian Empire, in the 13th century, or the chapter about the conquests of Chinggis and Ogodei Khan, the ancient Mongolians/Xianbi and Dunhu/Khitans, who lived in Northeast China, revolted against the Great Mongol Empire. The Chinese were forced by Genghis Khan’s army and fled to the Korean Peninsula. The Mongolian soldier also wrote about the remnants of this Chinese army invading Korea. This historical event was not recorded in the 1966 “History of the Republic of Korea” and was added to the five volumes of Mongolian history published in 2004 based on what was recorded in Mongolian and Korean historical records.

In this regard, it is mentioned how it is recorded in the sub-volume of the “History of Mongolia”: … in 1216, a group of Chinese organists led by two Vajna rebelled against the Great Mongol Empire and stood up against the Mongols for the last time and were defeated. The remnants of the Chinese army, led by Kim San Vajna, invaded the northern part of Korea, captured the city of Kandong, seized the land there, oppressed the people, and caused trouble to the Korean people. History of Mongolia, sub-volume (2004, 159).^[5]

In the sub-volume of the “History of Mongolia” about how the remnants of the Chinese army were suppressed … In 1218, the Mongolian army led by Jala and Khajin entered the northern part of Korea to suppress the remnants of the Chinese army. Thus, the remaining forces of the Chinese army were defeated by the forces of both Korea and Mongolia. The Korean army was led by the famous general Jo Chun. Then, Mongolia and Korea took an oath of mutual non-aggression. Thus, it was noted that King Kojon (1214–1259) of the Brass State began to serve Mongolia. History of Mongolia, sub-volume (2004, 159).^[6] In the oath taken in 1218 to establish friendship between Mongolia and Korea, it is written that “Our two countries will be brothers forever, and our children should not forget this day.” This oath is called “Brotherhood Treaty” in the history of Mongolian-Korean relations.

The above event is told in the legend of “The White Bull King and Saran Princess” or, in some sources, “The White Bull King and Queen Hulan”. Some scholars consider it to be non-Korean. Therefore, I tried to clarify how this is recorded in historical sources. For example, Dharma Gush’s “Golden Wheel with Thousand Spokes” is one of the valuable sources of medieval Mongolian history. Because of the discovery of three original manuscripts created in 1739, the year of the Manchurian God’s grace, the Inner Mongolian scholar Choiji published the original of the early Qing Dynasty. The source of this history was compared and explained by the scholar Choiji, and it is mentioned how it is written about the White Bull King: … At the age of twenty-nine, before the Bull White King of Eastern Korea, the Fox River was flooded, he sat down here (on the right side) and sold a messenger, saying, “Service Ats” was sold, the great Korean queen said, “What a lot of words” and tried to test the master’s majesty. He knew that he was the queen of the army (Khat Sesir), the ruler of the country, the master of the time, the lord of the country, and the son of the sky. Please bring your daughter Buha Solongo (“Usun Ula Jan Khot” to another mother) with a dowry of two countries, come in, pay your respects, and give him the title of “Bogd Lord”. Take Hulan as a junior queen and sit for sixty years. Sutai Burtegeljin said that he sent a messenger to find out about the health of the master, the guide Argasun Khorchi, and told him that “Mongolia does not know the character of your country”. Choiji (1987, 40).^[7]

Also, about the name of the Korean country, Ch. Sodbileg, a researcher …. According to the important work “Blue Sudar” created by the historian Injinash of the 19th century, the Mongols called the country of Guryo, which is located in the southeast from Gard, as Korea. In Chinese scriptures, Guryo is transliterated as … Guryo is a real Korean word, and because in Chinese only the letter r is written, Guryo is transliterated as Gao Li. The Mongolians have long been discussing Gaoli as Guuli. Europeans call Koreans.

Korea after the name Guryo. … In the historical sources of Mongolia, the country of Guryo was called in many different ways. For example: Bull was called the White King Country, Brass Country, Gaoli Country, Korea. The most popular of these names is the name of the Brass Country. Sodbileg (2010, 430).^[8]

In the above historical sources, the fact that Korea’s White Bull King, a girl named Hulan, and the fact that the country of Guryo was called “Bull White King Country” are facts, the legend of “Bull White King and Queen Hulan” is Korean.

4 Cultural Relations Between Mongolia and Korea

The Mongolian and Korean peoples have had historical and cultural ties for a long time. During the socialist society, Mongolia had friendly relations with the Republic of Korea. At this time, the works of Korean writers were translated from Korean and Russian and made available to Mongolian readers. For example, since few Korean films such as “The Flower Seller” were shown on television and cinemas, the Mongolian people have come to know a little about the life of the North Korean people.

However, since the 1990s, we have been actively interacting with South Korea in many ways and expanding and developing our cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea, in addition to political and economic relations, cultural, educational and humanitarian relations have been developing rapidly. Therefore, it became more important to translate the works of South Korean writers from Korean and make them available to Mongolian readers. For example: Hwang Seong-won’s stories such as “Thunderstorm”, “Crane”, Lee Hyo-seok’s “When the sago blossoms”, Kim Yoo-jin’s novel “The world is vast, there is much work to be done”, and modern Korean poetry “Korean Poetry” , two volumes of “Modern Korean Poems”, etc., translated and published many beautiful works such as Kim Ok Sun’s “In Great Care” and Lee Myung Bag’s memoir “Years Breathed by Work”. Also, works of Mongolian writers have been translated into Korean and made available to Korean readers.

Any country carries out activities aimed at promoting its country to foreign countries through language and culture, creating a positive understanding of its country among its citizens, and raising its country’s reputation on the regional and international platforms. Similarly, South Korea is actively pursuing a soft power policy in the world through language and cultural relations. Nowadays, the Korean soft power policy is promoting Korean modern music, television dramas, feature films, and national food culture to the Mongolian people. This South Korean soft power policy or “Cultural Wave” is having an impact not only on Mongolia, but also on many countries in Asia and Europe.

The “Cultural Wave” in Mongolia first entered Mongolia through TV series. By watching South Korean television dramas, Mongolians learned about the history, culture, customs and current lifestyle of the Korean people. For example, we learned about the history of the founding of the country of Guryo and the three kingdoms of Guguryo, Baekje, and Shilla that existed in the Korean peninsula between the 1st and 9th centuries AD. The 800-year period of existence of these three countries is called the “History of the Three Countries” in Korean history. The three countries of Kuguryeo, Baekje, and Shilla fought to conquer each other but failed. The middle-aged people watch with interest the historical series about the centuries-long war between these countries. Children and young people watch movies about love and friendship. These films often reflect everyday life. It usually shows relationships between family and friends. In this regard, Mongolians have started using some words and expressions used by Koreans. For example: Middle-aged women often use the Korean accent “Aiguu” to make their conversation fun because they often watch movies about everyday life. Also, girls and women started to call the guy they are dating as “brother” and the partner of their life as “love”, etc. In Korean movies, there is little sexual content. It positively affects family relationships and creates a peaceful atmosphere.

But in recent years, there has been an overabundance of Korean dramas, often depicting the scheming ways of almost indistinguishable Korean girls, moneylenders, organized crime syndicates, and the reckless behavior of politicians. In this regard, it cannot be overlooked that Mongolians are wary of Koreans and try not to communicate with them unless absolutely necessary. For example: Nowadays, Mongolians are saying that “one Korean person’s bad intentions are equal to three Chinese people’s bad intentions” and so on. That’s why it’s no secret that children and young people consider it a waste of time and ineffective, and only women who do housework see it.

Now, Mongolian television serials are being made in Mongolia. However, due to the economic situation in Mongolia due to the impact of the covid-19 epidemic, the spending on television series has been reduced. In addition, television programs about the history and culture of South Korea are regularly prepared and shown. Mongolians also watch Korean TV programs promoting culture, art, and development, which are shown in South Korea, on cable TV channels.

In addition to television series, K-pop music is widespread in Mongolia. Children and young people watch the performances of Korean singers and become fans. Since the early 1990s, the relations between the two countries, including the relations between citizens, have become closer and closer, and have expanded in all spheres of economy, culture, education, and social life, and citizens of our two countries have started to travel to each other. Therefore, it is common for children and young people to come to Mongolia to watch the performances of Korean bands, and to accompany their parents on a trip to Korea to watch the performances of those band singers and visit the filming locations of TV dramas.

Learning the Korean language has become more common in Mongolia these days. In 1991, he started training Korean language specialists at MU and other universities. Since 1997, the Korean language proficiency test has been held every year. Korean language is now taught in some secondary schools in addition to universities. The number of Mongolian students going to study in the country is increasing as the universities of the Republic of Korea support students studying the Korean language and Korean studies, implement various programs and provide scholarships.

In order to determine the extent to which students would be interested in learning the Korean language, we conducted a survey involving students studying engineering and technology at SHUTIS as a representative random sample.

This user survey was one of the preparations we had to do for our Korean language course. Here are some of the survey questions.

4.2 Findings from the Survey

We conducted a survey to determine consumer demand for Korean language courses. Students studying engineering and technology at SHUTIS participated in the survey, which was randomly sampled to represent consumers.

Counting the survey pages, a total of 301 students participated. 126 of them are male and 175 female students (Figures 1–5).

Figure 1:

Gender of respondents.

Figure 2:

Factors affecting respondents’ learning.

Figure 3:

Sources from which respondents obtain information about any training.

Figure 4:

Respondents access to learning Korean.

Figure 5:

Respondents’ participation in Korean language training.

Here is a summary of the responses to the survey questions from student participants in the user survey: It includes;

1. To learn something, 28.6 % or 86 students work and classmates, 3.3 % or 10 students friends, 40.2 % or 121 students interests, 17.3 % or 52 students household income, 10.6 % or 32 students answered that their families influence them.

It can be seen that most of the students participating in the study learn Korean language according to their interests and work and study requirements. There are not many students who are influenced by their friends and family. Another major factor affecting learning is household income.

1. Where do you get information about any course? 13.3 % or 40 students answered that they get information from printed advertisements, 3 % or 9 students from special issue directories, and 83.7 % or 252 students answered that they get information from mass media.

It can be seen that most of the students participating in the study get information about Korean language and Korean studies from social media. Some students get information from the bulletin board, and very few students call the special number directory.

1. “If you want to learn Korean, where and who can you turn to?” 110 students or the maximum percentage of 36.5 % answered that they would study independently, 87 students or 28.9 % said that they would turn to a training center, 78 students or 26 % said that they did not know where to turn, and 26 students or 8.6 % said that they would turn to someone they know.

It can be seen that there are many students who want to study on their own and turn to training centers.

1. “Have you ever thought about taking a Korean language course?” 33.1 % of the participating students or 88 students answered no, 29.2 % or 100 students said no, and 37.4 % or 113 students answered yes.

It can be seen that there are not many students who are interested in Korean language courses.

1. “Would you like to learn Korean if we teach you?” All 301 students answered the question, 113 students answered yes and 188 students answered no (Table 1).

Table 1:

The number of respondents who will participate in Korean language training.

	Would you like to learn Korean if we give you a Korean language course?
	Yes	No	Total
Number of people	113	188	301
Occupancy rate	37.4 %	62.3 %	100 %

From this, our target users can be students studying all engineering and technical majors at SHUTIS.

1. Why are you going to study Korean? In response to the question, “Would you like to learn Korean language?” Of the 113 students who answered yes to the question, 12 said that they are going to study Korean language because of their interest, 23 said that because it is required to know more than two foreign languages to get a job, the majority of the students participating in the study, 50, said that they are going to study in Korea, 28 He replied that he was going to work in Korea.

It can be seen from this that the largest percentage of respondents said that they are going to study in Korea in order to study Korean.

According to the responses to the survey questions, the students participating in the study did not answer some of the questions. We believe that this is due to our poor choice of questions in the questionnaire and insufficiently developed questions that were not understandable to the students.

Judging from the responses to the survey conducted to determine how interested we are in learning Korean language among students and youth, it can be seen that learning Korean language is a necessity and a requirement for Mongolians.

In recent years, Mongolian citizens have started working in Korea (contractually and illegally) in large numbers. There were 47,483 people working in Korea as of December 31, 2020, and 37,012 people as of December 31, 2021 (https://www.immigration.go.kr).^[9] Some Mongolian citizens have lived and worked in Korea for many years and have come to know the customs and culture of Koreans. After returning to his country, he started to use what he learned in Korea as a business owner, or to make and use some things in his daily life. For example: Korean cuisine has entered Mongolia and many Korean restaurants have opened, and it has become one of the favorite places for Mongolian people to visit. Mongolians cook Korean food at home as well, and there are many people who like Korean pickled cabbage/kimchi/. Therefore, there are small private factories that are working in this field after learning about the method of making or producing pickled vegetables in Korea.

There are many Korean small and medium business owners living and working in Mongolia. Korean products are of good quality compared to Chinese products, and the price is reasonable, so Mongolians regularly use Korean products, so the demand for Korean products in the Mongolian market is increasing. Therefore, the 4th branch of “e-mart” chain store is going to open soon.

Recently, Mongolians and Koreans have been officially registered as families, so women have become married to Koreans more and more.

5 Conclusions

Conclusion we have considered the relationship between the language, culture and history of Mongolians and Koreans and have come to the following conclusion. It includes:

1. Many scholars have studied the origin of the Korean language, but they have not yet been able to determine its origin. Many scholars believe that the Korean language is related to the Turkic, Manchu, and Mongolian languages of Altaic origin. Languages with this common origin are necessarily related. If you compare the ancient forms of these languages, there are many similar forms (roots and constructions). However, considering these languages at their current level of development, it is not easy to equate them in terms of vocabulary and vocabulary. In other words, each of these languages has its own characteristics during its development.

By studying the origins of the Korean language, it is possible to discover the root language of the Korean language and its relatedness. If there were languages of the same origin, a comparative study of these languages should reveal similarities. For example: Mongolian and Korean are languages of the same root, if you compare the two languages, they should be the same, even though they have their own characteristics during their development.

Therefore, since 1990, the researchers of the two countries have intensively cooperated in the field of linguistics, and the comparative study of Mongolian and Korean languages is developing successfully. Dozens of scientific works in the field of Korean studies have been published in Mongolia, and many research works on Mongolian studies have also been published in the Republic of Korea. Most of the research works on these Mongolian and Korean languages are comparative research works focusing on clarifying the linguistic and cultural ties between the two countries, and clarifying the similarities and differences.

1. Recently, the diplomatic relations between the two countries have expanded, and scholars have published many works on Mongolian-Korean relations and cooperation. The joint academic activities of Mongolian and Korean historians are also expanding. Those scholars mentioned in their research works that Mongolia and Korea have had relations since the 13th century, and Mongolian historical sources contain doubtful things related to some historical events. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify some doubtful things recorded in these Mongolian historical sources and carefully study them from Korean historical sources.

2. Mongolian and Korean peoples have been in historical and cultural relations for a long time, so the works of South Korean writers have been translated from Korean to Mongolian readers, and the works of Mongolian writers have been translated from Mongolian to Korean readers. Since the 1990s, learning the Korean language has increased in Mongolia. In order to determine the extent to which students would be interested in learning the Korean language, we conducted a survey involving students studying engineering and technology at SHUTIS as a representative random sample. Judging by the responses to this survey, learning Korean is a necessity and a necessity for Mongolians.