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Mapae

The World History Digital Education Foundation and the Korean War Legacy Foundation are honored to have a cadre of dedicated educators sharing information about Korea and the Korean War to teachers throughout the United States. To recognize the outstanding work of these teachers, we created the Mapae Award.

The Mapae medal is based on the medallion used by officials of the central government during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The King’s hand-picked special officials, called “Eosa” (literally meaning the official dispatched by the King) traveled through regional areas on public duties and primarily prosecuted corrupt officials in the provinces. In most instances, the King secretly appointed Eosa, who were often the first prize awardee in Joseon’s national civil service examination called Gwageo. Eosa were given a medal, the Mapae, which identified their special status as the King’s appointed secret prosecutor and gave them the right to conscript horses for transportation to the provinces. Eosa with Mapae were allowed to have a special access to saddle horses kept at government-run post stations upon presenting their Mapae medal. The bearer of the medal, which was issued by a government agency called the Sangseowon (Office of Seals and Badges), was entitled to use the number of horses carved on the badge and was typically accompanied by a station attendant who guided him to the next station approximately 16 kilometers away. The attendant returned to his home station with the horse under his charge, while the traveler continued on his journey via other stations to his final destination.

Similar to the Joseon officials, teachers who have been awarded the medal will be provided resources, based on the number of horses on their medal, to help them share knowledge throughout the United States about Korean history, South Korea’s simultaneous rapid economic development and democratization, and the Korean War.

One Horse

One Horse Medal

Qualification

  • Attend a WHDE or KWLF workshop and successfully complete all workshop requirements

Available Resources

  • Up to $500 to host a workshop for at least 12 teachers. Teachers may also propose a special project related to Korea or the Korean War.
    • Funding may be used for food, speaker honorariums, materials, room rental.
    • Teachers must submit a budget and be pre-approved before making any expenditure. Receipts or invoices must be produced before any payments are made.
    • NOTE: We are happy to assist in developing a workshop program.

Two Horses

Two Horse Medal

Qualification

  • Successfully complete a workshop or special project at the one horse level.

Available Resources

  • Up to $1000 to host a workshop for at least 15 teachers. Teachers may also propose a special project related to Korea or the Korean War.
    • Funding may be used for food, speaker honorariums, materials, room rental. Teachers at the two-horse level may use $250 of the grant funds as a personal honorarium.
    • Teachers must submit a budget and be pre-approved before making any expenditure. Receipts or invoices must be produced before any payments are made.
    • NOTE: We are happy to assist in developing a workshop program.

Three Horses

Three Horse Medal

Qualification

  • Successfully complete a workshop or special project at the two-horse level.

Available Resources

  • Up to $1500 to host a workshop for at least 20 teachers. Teachers may also propose a special project related to Korea or the Korean War.
    • Funding may be used for food, speaker honorariums, materials, room rental. Teachers at the three-horse level may use $350 of the grant funds as a personal honorarium.
    • Teachers must submit a budget and be pre-approved before making any expenditure. Receipts or invoices must be produced before any payments are made.
    • NOTE: We are happy to assist teachers in developing a workshop program.

Four Horses

Four Horse Medal

Qualification

  • Teachers at the four-horse level are trusted regular consultants for the foundation. All teachers at this level will go through an application and interview process.

Available Resources

  • Teachers at the four-horse level will be tasked with special projects and will be given an appropriate budget to complete all tasks.

Five Horses

Qualification

  • Teachers at the five-horse level are project managers who have shown excellent leadership qualities.

Available Resources

  • Teachers at the five-horse level will develop special projects and workshops and will be given an appropriate budget to complete all tasks.