Haenam Peninsula Was the Center of the Ancient East Asian "Maritime Silk Road"

Academic Conference on the 19th:
Re-examining the Exchange History of Mahan, Baekje, and Gaya
Large Participation of Historians from Korea, Japan, Australia, and Beyond

Haenam County in South Jeolla Province announced on September 8 that it will hold an international academic conference on September 19 in the main conference room of the county office, focusing on the ancient southwestern sea routes pioneered around Haenam and the history of East Asian maritime exchanges.

This academic conference will be held under the theme of "Cultural Convergence and Regional Culture of Mahan and Aragaya through the Southwestern Sea Routes and the History of East Asian Exchanges."

Haenam County will hold the "Mahan History and Culture International Academic Conference" on the 19th, highlighting the ancient southwestern sea routes and East Asian maritime exchanges. Provided by Haenam County Office

The conference will re-examine the history of external exchanges on the Haenam Peninsula through the process of cultural exchange among Baekje, Gaya, and Mahan, with a particular focus on how Mahan contributed to the formation of East Asia's trade networks and the broader history of East Asian maritime exchanges.

A large number of domestic and international historians are expected to participate, enhancing the academic value of the event. More than ten Korean historians, including Professor Kang Bongryong of Mokpo National University, Professor Park Chunsu of Kyungpook National University, and Professor Lee Jungho of Dongshin University, will attend, along with international scholars such as Researcher Kodera Kizuko from the University of Tokyo and Professor Hong Xiaochun from the Australian National University.

The keynote presentations will cover topics such as cultural exchanges among ancient states in the southern Korean Peninsula (including the culture of Haenam Mahan, Baekje, and Gaya), the formation of southwestern maritime routes, and the establishment of ancient East Asian trade networks (including external exchanges of the Haenam Peninsula, the maritime Silk Road with Funan in Vietnam, and the maritime Silk Road with Kyushu in Japan).

The comprehensive discussion session will re-examine the historical significance of the Haenam Peninsula during the Mahan period. Haman County, which is jointly promoting the "Historical and Cultural Area Maintenance Leading Project" with Haenam County, will also participate in the conference to highlight the maritime exchange history between Mahan and Aragaya and to discuss ways for inter-governmental cooperation.

An official from Haenam County stated, "We hope that this international academic conference will serve as a meaningful occasion to re-examine the historical and geographical value of the Haenam Peninsula in the ancient history of the Korean Peninsula and reaffirm its status as a central hub of the ancient East Asian maritime Silk Road trade."

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