Korea

Location• Korea is a peninsula attached to eastern

Asia in between China and Japan.

• Korea is divided into two sections– North Korea – South Korea

• South Korea is smaller in size, but has nearly double the population of North Korea.

North and South Korea

Physical Features

• 70% of Korea is covered by steep, low mountains

• Only 25% of population lives in Mts.

• Most live on coastal plains • Northeast• West and Southern

More geography of Korea• North Korea Capital= Pyongyang (pee awng yahng)

• South Korea Capital= Seoul

• Temperate climate (hot summers cold winters) North Korea more harsh climate– North=one crop per year vs 2 harvests in South Korea (lots of

rice)• South has more farm land (60% arable vs 20% in the

north)

• North Korea has more minerals in their mountains

Seoul

Seoul

Pyongyang

People• 95% literacy rate• Almost all attend elementary

school• Homogeneous- Same ethnicity • Have their own language • Despite their recent division, they

consider themselves the same

Chinese Traditions• China has had a profound impact on the development of

Korea• They absorbed most of Chinese tradition• Buddhism, Confucianism and other ideas were

transmitted through trade• Many Koreans went to China to study Confucianism

Korean Dynasties – Silla (668 ce)– Golden age with trade and prosperity from

Asia and Middle East– Koryo– 918–1392 (1st ruler-Wang Kon)

• Introduce civil service exams (unlike China, only open to aristocrats (upper class)

• Stressed arts• 81,000 wood-blocks carved for printing• Buddhism was at its height (temples writing)• Lots of invasions from mainland and Japanese pirates• Mongols conquered in 1200s

– Choson 1392– Yi Song-gye• Confucianism• Isolation (“The Hermit Kingdom”)• Treated China like an older brother but maintained identity

Attacks and Seclusion

• 1592 Invasion by Japan. Lots of battles. (Turtle boats)

• Chinese help fight off Japanese. Nevertheless weakened

• Manchus invade in 1600s while making their way to China

• Complete isolation as a result

The same ole song and dance

• Mid-1800s – Imperialists force their way in, begin trading and exerting influence

• Japan takes over in 1905– Good– improve farming and education, build factories– Bad– exploit resources (including people—ie slave labor and

brutal treatments)• March 1, 1919 peaceful demonstration to demand

independence– Japanese respond by killing 2000 and imprisoning 19000

• Koreans fought for Japan in WWII• No Korean language and made them take Japanese last

names.

Korea Divided• After WWII Soviets and US thought Korea should be

independent• Soviets occupied North and US South until elections held

(or so everyone thought)• Permanent division into Soviet backed “Democratic

People’s Republic of Korea” in the north and US supported “Republic of Korea” in the south.

Korean War

• North invade south to reunite. • South was ill-prepared and was

forced to retreat.• US and allies step in to prevent

the “domino” effect from happening

• UN (15 countries) sent troops but US and South Korea fought mostly

• Ended in stalemate in 1953• Divided along 38th parallel• 4 Million died in war and lots of

destruction

Modern South Korea

• Large, well equipped army• Authoritarian Govt. was initially established

but gradually relinquished power. Nevertheless, there are still many restrictions on rights.

• Economic progress is impressive. One of the “4 Asian Tigers” along with Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

• Confucian Tradition remains strong

North Korea

• Communist Dictatorship• Isolated. Preached self-

reliance• Standard of living well below

South Korea yet still industrialized

• 1995 weather disaster led to 10% of the population’s death.

• Nuclear testing