Yi Byeongdo

Infobox Korean name
hangul=이병도
hanja=李丙燾
rr=I Byeongdo
mr=I Pyŏngdo

Yi Byeongdo (1896 - 1989) was an influential Korean historian. He is often associated with the Japanese colonial view of Korean history.

However, he contribute an editorial to Joseon Ilbo about the Korean history at 1986 CE when 3 years before he died. People say that this editorial was the voice of his conscience.

His contribution to Joseon ilbo says (1986. 10. 09. Joseon Ilbo):
1. Dangun is not legend but a Korean ancestor. The sacrifice to Dangun was stopped from the Japanese colonial age. Moreover, he said that one must believe the entire ancient Korean history books before three kingdoms of Korea.

2. The current Seonangdang is the ancient Sindansu (신단수, 神壇樹), and a heap of stones is Sindan(신단, 神壇). So, the village around the Sindan is the Sinsi (신시, 神市).

3. Pyongyang in Samguk Sagi is different place from the current Pyongyang.

Finally he published the history book titled "Introduction to ancient Korean history", which describes that Dangun and Gojoseon are not legend, and Nangnang Nation is different from Nangnang commandery. When he published the book, his disciples said the senility of old man.

Biography

1927: Started working in Reorganization Agent of Korean History
1934: Founding Jindan Institute
1945 - 1962: Professor of Seul Nation University
1955 -1982: Committee of Korean Nation History Editor
1960: the Ministry of Education

Disciples

Ki-baek Lee, Ko Byeongik, Cha Hasun, Yi Kidong
Ki-baek_Lee is his best disciple, and he is very famous for his history book "The New History of Korea", but his books is also criticized as the extension of colonial policy of Japan.