KJCKorea
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This study interpreted the thesis of Choi, Nam Seon, a scholar from the Joseon Dynasty, in relation to the foundation of [Geonguk University] in Manchuria and its ideologies. Based on his texts, I focused on relating his efforts to emerge ‘Joseon Cultural Nationalism’ and the ideologies of the time. The purpose was to examine how a scholar was influenced by or related to contemporary ideologies within a social system to select and exclude certain logics and to create his independent ideologies. In other words, it was reading the historical context of Korea’s domination by Japanese Imperialism and possible scenarios within the plurality. Even in such arbitrative position, Geonguk University of Manchuria, at which Choi, Nam Seon presented his thesis, showed that the ideologies cannot be interpreted from a single perspective. Choi, Nam Seon published [Sacred Ideas of Ancient Eastern Culture] as a mem­ ber of Geonguk University’s Research Institute. It was an edited version of rThe Theory of Bulham Culture (Manchria, Korea, and Japan)j and started from the significance of the Myth of Dangun. The culture of Manchuria-Mongolia particularly emphasized the importance of the Myth of Dangun and presented the origin of the Myth of Manchuria. They needed a new myth to establish the foundation ideology of Manchuria and collaboration of its people and chose Dangun, the shaman of Manchuria, Japan, Siberia, and China, to play a major role in the myth. However, Choi, Nam Seon actively reacted to the ideologies of his time in relation to the Japanese Government-General in Joseon, the Japanese Troops, the Joseon Dynasty, and Japan. This is one of the major reasons why Choi, Nam Seon is still known as a pro-Japan. Considering the logic of colonialism, Choi, Nam Seon corresponded to the Japanese Imperialism and stood for the Myth of Dangun for Joseon. In the contradiction of two op­ posing ideologies - acceptance of colonial ideology and the emergence of nationalistic cul­ ture based on Dangun - Choi, Nam Seon made efforts to combine the two. As he absorbed the logic of modem Japanese scholars based on his identity in the Japanese Colonialism, we might be able to connect this study to examining his idea of modernity in the future.

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