It was in the year 249 (all dates are AD from this point) that an envoy from Japan was insulted by the nation on the Korean peninsula then called Silla. The Japanese respond by invading, but the offending man alone is punished. His loyal but perhaps misguided wife wants vengeance and the struggle with Japan continues. It continues in many minds to this very hour. The ill will between these two nations is simply a factor of history. It will become a serious factor later in the story.

Near 300, northern-lying Liaotung embarrasses Korguryo, the nation north of Silla, and defeats them. The people of Korguryo turn south to harass Pakje, the other, much smaller, Korean entity of the day, but get humiliated there too. This does not douse their thirst for power.

In 372, Buddhism is introduced to the land. But the Confucian code is also stressed. Early on, Korea becomes a citadel of false religion, false ideas. The political and spiritual direction is being set. Korean thinking is still dominated by these two strongholds of Enemy thought, and knowing this is vital for those who will pray for these people.

The years 450 and following give rise to the "Triangular War" between the 3 peninsular powers. There is a constant attempt by all three to gain favor with China, which has constantly changing dynasties and power centers.

In 598 the Emperor of China decides to ally with Silla and Pakje (both in the south) to wipe out Korguryo (north). It takes a little while in those days to work out a plan. Fourteen years later though, in 612, the strategy finally comes together. Over 1 million men are ready to attack. But in spite of the vastness of their army, they gain only the "Liao" area of Korguryo. China is soundly defeated. Before they can make things right, the Chinese must return to attend to some domestic problems.

Those problems involved the dissolving of one power center, and bringing in, around 618, the Tang dynasty. Korguryo immediately offers its allegiance to Tang, but so do Silla and Pakje. Emperor recognizes them all as royalty and so starts up the triangular conflicts again.

Adding yet more to the religious confusion of these ancestors of Korea, the Emperor sends in books on Shinto. And to gain China's favor, Korguryo asks for the whole plethora of religious teachers: Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto. This, added to the sayings of Confucius, is a recipe for spiritual disaster. And spiritual disaster has come time and again. Thank God that in these days, Christ has found His place in the hearts of so many Koreans. This is truly a miraculous story...