KOREA FOUNDATION

The Russian city of Vladivostok lies at the eastern end of the country and is the largest Russian port on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. To many Koreans, Vladivostok was once familiar primarily from history books, which described it as “the bridgehead for Russia’s advancement into the Pacific.” But now, the city, a mere two-hour flight from Korea, is fast emerging as a highly popular tourist destination.

In 1945, the largest museum in eastern Russia was opened in Vladivostok, a city with a long and complex history involving several countries. The museum was named after Vladimir K. Arseniev, the traveler and scientist who explored the area of Primorsky Krai, known informally as Primorye, in the Far East region of the country. Beginning this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of Korea-Russia diplomatic relations, Korean language audio guides are being provided at the museum. On display are archaeological, geographical, and folkloric materials and rare documents related to Primorye. Relics of Korea’s Balhae Kingdom are also exhibited, offering Korean guests a chance to see historical records of the trying lives of their ancestors in the Russian Far East.

Since its inception, the museum has spotlighted the Balhae Kingdom as a major part of its collection of Primorye history. The exhibition hall on the first floor is dedicated to Balhae, and the museum’s deep affection towards the kingdom can be seen through its Korean-language introduction: “Balhae was established in the seventh century on the basis of what remained of the Goguryeo Kingdom after its defeat by China. Balhae later became one of the greatest countries on the eastern coast.” Together with the regional government of Primorye, the Arseniev Museum is promoting a project to excavate an ancient Balhae fortress and establish a tourism village around the site. The museum is set to seek assistance from Korea in the historical research if needed in the course of this excavation and restoration.

The Korean government, in cooperation with the museum, held a seminar entitled “The Historic Journey of Korea’s New Northern Policy,” highlighting the footsteps and historical sites of Koreans in Primorye and seeking to enhance Korea-Russia relations for the future.

Vladivostok is much closer to Korea in actuality than many imagine. In this city and in the museum, Koreans can see a range of historical records that shed light on the history of Primorye, Balhae and Goguryeo, which have been home to many people from many different ancient states, as well as documents that vividly detail the lives of their ancestors who settled in the region during the Japanese occupation of Korea.

Written by Kim Shinyoung

Russia Museum Arseniev Balhae