The Three Faces of the Korean Nation

This article proposes a theory on how national genetics may solve the theoretical maelstrom engulfing the study of nations in Korea. The national genetics theory is firstly presented with the concepts of national genotype, national genotypic heritage, national chromosomes, national genes and national phenotypes being defined. National genetics is then applied to the heterodox case of Korea, where three different nations are often confused due to the striking resemblance between them. The themes of imperialism and political legitimacy are seen as sociopolitical chromosomes structuring Korea's continually evolving national genotype. It will be shown that these chromosomes are part of a national genotypic heritage that has framed all three national phenotypes of Korean modern history: the republican nation, the revolutionary nation and the developmental nation. Finally, this article will demonstrate how national genetics helps resolve previous antagonistic claims made about nations, nationalism and ethnicity in Korea.