The three northeastern provinces of China—Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang—connect the Korean Peninsula to the mainland and share a border with North Korea. This region is rich in history, with remnants of Goguryeo and Balhae, as well as traces of Korean migration and anti-Japanese movements.
Son Chang-ho, a diplomat currently serving at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Shenyang, has published a book titled 'China's Northeast, Our North.' From 2020 to 2026, he worked on economic matters between Korea and China, traveling over 30,000 kilometers to more than 30 cities in the northeastern provinces, including Shenyang, Dandong, Jilin, Yanji, and Harbin, documenting the region's historical and economic transformations.
In his book, Son not only examines the geographical features and histories of each city but also explores their connections to the Korean Peninsula. He discusses the legacies of Goguryeo and Balhae, the Qing Dynasty and Manchus, the Korean envoy system, Korean migration, anti-Japanese movements, and the influences of Russia and Japan, illustrating how these historical narratives shape today's cities.
Son's focus extends beyond the past. He highlights current developments in the region, including revitalization efforts, agriculture, high-tech industries, and tourism and culture.
The book covers economic trade fairs, business-to-business consultations, ventures, startups, and cross-border e-commerce in Northeast China. It also introduces emerging industries such as low-altitude economy and ice and snow economy, alongside everyday cultural aspects like tourism, food, and bathing, providing a comprehensive view of the present-day northeastern provinces.
In the final chapter, Son addresses 'a new northern paradigm for the Korean Peninsula' and the 'functional relationship between the North and South and Northeast,' suggesting a need to reevaluate the northeastern provinces as a 'northern' link between the Korean Peninsula and the mainland. He argues for expanding the view of these provinces from a historical perspective to a contemporary site of economic and industrial exchange, connecting it to the future of the Korean Peninsula.
Son Chang-ho stated, 'I believe we must cherish the traces of our people left on the continent and continue to create new narratives. Based on this, we can propose ideas and solutions on how to connect our northern region with Northeast China, ultimately diagnosing pathways for the North-South issue.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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