Koreans call themselves Han or Daehan primarily because of historical, cultural, and linguistic reasons rooted in their ancient tribal confederations and national identity. The term “Han” (韓) is distinct from the Chinese “Han” (漢), representing different peoples and origins. “Daehan” (大韓) combines “great” (大) with “Han” (韓), symbolizing the “Great Han” people, which forms an integral part of South Korea’s official name, Daehan Minguk (대한민국, 大韓民國), or the “Republic of the Great Han People.”
The origin of the Korean “Han” traces back to the Samhan period, when three confederations—Byeonhan (弁韓), Jinhan (辰韓), and Mahan (馬韓)—inhabited the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The shared character 韓 used by these tribes is the Korean “Han,” which differs from Chinese Han 漢, traditionally linked to the Han dynasty and the Han ethnic majority in China. Although these terms sound similar when romanized, their distinctions lay in Chinese characters and historical context. The Korean Han is not a mere borrowing from Chinese but may have Altaic roots, paralleling the title “khan,” which means leader or ruler, reflecting native origins.
The term Daehan consists of two characters: 大 meaning “great” or “large” and 韓 meaning the Korean Han. Historically, the prefix 大 was used in East Asia to denote sovereignty or grandeur, much like the Venetian Republic’s use of *serenissima*. For example, the Ming dynasty was called 大明 (Da Ming), meaning “Great Ming.” In Korea, the title Daehan was revived by King Gojong in 1897 when he declared the Korean Empire, Daehan Jeguk (대한제국, 大韓帝國), asserting Korea’s sovereignty amid foreign pressures. This naming was deliberate: to rebrand Korea as a modern nation-state distinct from earlier dynasties and to evoke historical and ethnic pride.
After Japanese colonization and subsequent independence, South Korea adopted the name Daehan Minguk in 1948. The choice honored the name used by independence fighters and symbolized the unity and endurance of the Korean people. In contrast, North Korea adopted the name referencing the Joseon dynasty, highlighting the political division that persists today.
Besides the political and historical significance, “Han” carries a unique emotional meaning in Korean culture. Another character for “Han” (恨, pronounced “han” in Korean but “hen” in Chinese) describes a deep, unresolved feeling of sorrow, regret, and endurance. This cultural sentiment is distinct from ethnic or national labels but shapes the Korean identity psychologically. It expresses collective pain and the refusal to accept misfortune, traits that have helped Koreans endure hardships during colonization, war, and division.
Further confusion sometimes arises from the use of the Chinese Han (漢) in Korea, as seen in the name of the Han River (漢江) flowing through Seoul. Historically, Seoul was called Hanseong (漢城), meaning “Castle on the Han River.” This name reflected Chinese characters but led to occasional misunderstandings linking Koreans to Chinese Han ethnicity. In recent times, Seoul officially adopted its Korean name, Seoul (서울), meaning simply “capital city.” The corresponding Chinese transliteration uses the characters 首爾 (Shǒu’ěr) to avoid confusion.
| Term | Characters | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Han (Korean) | 韓 | Represents ancient Korean tribal confederations (Samhan); used for ethnic and national identity. |
| Han (Chinese) | 漢 | Refers to Han Dynasty, majority Chinese ethnicity; used in Chinese language and culture. |
| Daehan | 大韓 | “Great Han,” denotes sovereignty; part of South Korea’s official name. |
| Han (cultural feeling) | 恨 | Expresses deep emotional pain and regret uniquely Korean in cultural context. |
- Korean “Han” (韓) originates from three ancient tribal confederations and differs from the Chinese “Han” (漢).
- Daehan (大韓) means “Great Han” and signifies Korean sovereignty; used in official country names.
- King Gojong revived the “Han” name in 1897 to emphasize Korean independence and cultural pride.
- “Han” also describes a deep, complex cultural emotion of grief and endurance unique to Korean society.
- Modern naming changes, such as Seoul replacing Hanseong, reflect efforts to preserve Korean identity distinct from Chinese influences.
