This sophisticated world order will be broken up and laid low by the Western impact in the late nineteenth century, but there are important legacies for the twentieth century.

As dwellers within a small power, Koreans have to learn to be shrewd in foreign policy, and they have a good example of that in China.

Koreans cultivate the sophisticated art of "low determines high" diplomacy, seeking to use foreign power for their own ends, wagging the dog with its tail.

Thus both South Korea and North Korea will often strike foreign observers as rather dependent on big-power support, yet both not only will claim but also strongly assert their absolute autonomy and independence as nation-states, and both will be adept at manipulating their big-power clients.

Until the mid-1980s, North Korea will be masterful, both in getting big powers to fight its battles and in maneuvering between the two communist giants, the Soviet Union and China, to get something from each and to prevent either from dominating it.

Much as in the traditional period, Pyongyang's heart will be with China.