canadian_kor
Thrill Seeker
- 19 Jun 2004
- 201
- 2
- 28
As someone who is interested in the histories and cultures of both nations, one of the things that I have always pondered about is the genetic/racial origins of both groups. Many anthropologists, linguists, and geneticists argue that Koreans and Japanese are quite close to each other racially. There is some truth to this since both groups descended from the Siberian Tungus group. However, the racial composition of modern Japanese and Koreans is another matter. If anybody has been in both countries one will realize that the Japanese tend to have more facial hair, higher nasal profiles, deeper-set eyes, pronounced foreheads, etc. than Koreans in general. This is likely due to the Ainu and Polynesian admixtures added to the predominantly Tungusic genetic stock. Koreans have not only been minimally influenced by Ainu and Polynesian genes, but had the Koguryo and Mongol influences to contend with. The Koguryo people spoke an Altaic language that was actually different from the Paekche and Silla languages (though the latter two are distantly related to the former). The point being is that the reason why many Koreans look like classic Mongoloids (thin eyes, flat faces, high cheekbones, paddy eyelids, etc.) is because of the influences of Mongols and northern tribesmen throughout the centuries. If Koryo had erected a "great wall" at the Yalu River region Koreans today would physically look significantly different now (more like Chinese or Japanese). Actually, you'll find that many Koreans have non-classical Mongoloid traits (you will find this mostly among upper-class people or city dwellers). Also, if Korea did not have these intrusions from the north the modern languages of both Japan and Korea would have been more similar than what linguists contend. Any thoughts or disagreements on this will be welcome.