Maritime, Christianity and Adventure: Slovenian Discovery of Korea
abstract
Based on past research by specialists in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean studies in Slovenia and Austria, this article discusses the discovery of Korea from the Slovenian perspective. The earliest encounter between a Slovenian and a Korean was probably in 1766, when a Jesuit scholar met with a Korean scholar at the Chinese court. Recent research on picture postcards and photographs reveals visits by members of the Austro-Hungarian Navy to Korean ports. In 1923, a female adventurer and writer from Slovenia traveled through the Korean peninsula. It is still unknown whether any Slovenians were among the missionaries in Tokwon.
Keywords: Alma Karlin • Korea • Hong Tae-Yong • Austro-Hungarian navy • Tokwon (Tŏkwŏn) Abbey • Hallerstein • Slovenia