@article{ART003297781},
author={Lee Ba Reun},
title={Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy},
journal={The Review of Korean History},
issn={1225-133X},
year={2025},
number={160},
pages={51-86}
TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Ba Reun
TI - Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy
JO - The Review of Korean History
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 160
PB - The Historical Society Of Korea
SP - 51
EP - 86
SN - 1225-133X
AB - This study analyzes the patterns of international students dispatched by the Goryeo government to the Song Dynasty and comprehensively examines the background of their dispatch, their activities in both Goryeo and Song, and their impact on the diplomacy between the two nations, thereby identifying an aspect of Goryeo’s cultural diplomacy. From the perspective of “cultural diplomacy,” this research discusses the case of Goryeo students studying in Song. Cultural diplomacy traditionally refers to the strategic use of cultural assets by a state to realize its diplomatic objectives and national interests.
Although official diplomatic ties between Goryeo and Song were severed following Goryeo’s diplomatic relations with the Khitans, the two countries maintained a friendly relationship through economic exchange and the movement of people. In particular, when Goryeo needed close interaction with Song amidst severed diplomatic ties, it utilized cultural diplomacy by requesting the dispatch of students; Song, in turn, sustained the bilateral relationship by accepting these requests.
Song demonstrated a friendly diplomatic stance toward Goryeo by accepting the admission requests of Goryeo students and treating them with great hospitality. The Song government supported the educational expenses of these students during their period of study and encouraged their academic progress through examinations personally administered by the Emperor. The dispatch of Goryeo students inherently involved intricate diplomatic procedures between the two nations. It served as a solution to unravel the sensitive diplomatic tensions that both countries had to navigate with the Khitans positioned between them.
Furthermore, Goryeo and Song utilized these students to communicate international circumstances, such as the pressure from the Khitans, or domestic affairs, such as securing the legitimacy of a new Goryeo king’s accession. Ultimately, the dispatch of Goryeo students manifested the soft power of both nations while functioning as a mechanism to maintain inclusive and continuous exchange beyond sensitive diplomatic constraints.
KW - Goryeo;Song;Cultural Diplomacy;The Soft Power;Cultural Exchange
DO -
UR -
ER -
Lee Ba Reun. (2025). Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy. The Review of Korean History, 160, 51-86.
Lee Ba Reun. 2025, "Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy", The Review of Korean History, no.160, pp.51-86.
Lee Ba Reun "Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy" The Review of Korean History 160 pp.51-86 (2025) : 51.
Lee Ba Reun. Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy. 2025; 160 : 51-86.
Lee Ba Reun. "Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy" The Review of Korean History no.160(2025) : 51-86.
Lee Ba Reun. Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy. The Review of Korean History, 160, 51-86.
Lee Ba Reun. Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy. The Review of Korean History. 2025; 160 51-86.
Lee Ba Reun. Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy. 2025; 160 : 51-86.
Lee Ba Reun. "Goryeo’s Dispatch of Students to Song China and Its Cultural Diplomacy" The Review of Korean History no.160(2025) : 51-86.
